Monument Cafe opened two business additions recently.

The beer garden offers outdoor seating and craft beers on tap, while the market offers grab-and-go options and pickup orders from the full menu.

The history: When Monument Cafe moved to its current location in 2008, it came with a beer garden, co-owner Cristy Schuler said. She closed the garden in 2012, and has been working over the last two years to reestablish the beer garden.

• 500 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open in the former Frozen Flamingo on Williams Drive in Georgetown, franchisee Salvatore Raccuglia confirmed.

On the menu: Rita's offers treats including Italian ice, frozen custard, milkshakes and cookie sandwiches, as well as dessert combinations.

The history: The dessert store will take over the building previously belonging to Frozen Flamingo, which sold frozen cocktails, margaritas and daiquiris, as well as desserts.

Owner Faith Thomas closed Frozen Flamingo permanently Sept. 30.

• 1208 Williams Drive, Georgetown

Leaders at the Samsung Austin Semiconductor plant in Taylor announced $22.8 million to fund local partners and programs on Oct. 15 at the Made in Texas: Boundless Opportunity event.

The money will help create Samsung's new community engagement program called Spark!, expand workforce development partnerships, launch a new industrial trades training program and expand the paid internship program with Taylor ISD.

The breakdown: Samsung's $22.8 million investment will contribute:

• $10 million for 14 local organizations through the Spark! program

• $700,000 in annual donations to local organizations

• $2.66 million for the 2026 5-Star Workforce Development partnerships

• $7.98 million toward three-year extensions for the 5-Star Workforce Development partnerships

• $1.5 million for the new STEP program

"As I look around the room and look at all these amazing young people, I believe that Samsung's greatest economic impact will be what each of these young people will do to change the world, their future, and Samsung," Senior Director of Communications Michele Glaze said Oct. 15.

An advanced manufacturing facility in Austin, an elementary school in Leander and a LongHorn Steakhouse in Hutto are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Project Toaster ($100 million): This project involves civil site development and construction of a core-and-shell building for Project Toaster, an advanced manufacturing facility.

2. Project Phantom ($60 million): This project involves the construction of a 285,000-square-foot warehouse with associated site improvements and parking.

3. Elementary School No. 31 ($56 million): Leander ISD plans to open its new elementary school in August 2028.

4. LongHorn Steakhouse ($3.8 million): A new LongHorn Steakhouse location is coming to Hutto, with construction set to wrap up in August.

5. CARTS Bastrop Park & Ride Expansion ($1.5 million): This project involves a parking lot expansion, EV charging stations, a bike-share pod, landscaping and miscellaneous site improvements for the existing bus station.