District 45 state Rep. Erin Zwiener announced a Hays County working group tasked with addressing concerns surrounding data centers, water use and the authority of cities and counties to respond to related challenges.

At a glance: The group will discuss how governing bodies can respond to data center development in Hays County and how officials may strengthen local authority through policy solutions, according to a news release from Zwiener.

The working group will receive presentations from experts in various groups pertaining to data centers. Potential speakers include experts on water, the electric grid, data centers and local control.

Zwiener’s working group was developed in partnership with Hays County commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe, Precinct 1, and Morgan Hammer, Precinct 3. Additional officials, water authority representatives, community members, nonprofit organization representatives and area experts were invited to participate.

Diving deeper: On Feb. 17, the San Marcos City Council voted to deny a Preferred Scenario Map amendment for approximately 200 acres of land that would have allowed for the development of a data center.

The Eddie Bauer brick-and-mortar location in the Tanger Outlets is holding a store-wide sale ahead of its upcoming closure.

The full story: Eddie Bauer Outlet, located in the Tanger Outlets, will soon close after its operating company, Eddie Bauer LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Eddie Bauer LLC representation.

The company’s e-commerce, wholesale, design and product development operations, handled by Outdoor 5 LLC, will not be affected by the store closures or bankruptcy filing, according to Eddie Bauer LLC representation.

The Tanger Outlets’ Eddie Bauer store has sales of up to 60% off daily. An official closing day has yet to be announced.

• Permanent closure following liquidation sale
• San Marcos Tanger Outlets, 4015 I-35 S. frontage road, Ste. 640, San Marcos

Check out six upcoming, ongoing and completed transportation projects across the Austin metro

• Timeline: roadway completion expected in summer 2026
• Cost: $4.26 million for construction
• Funding source: type B sales tax revenue

• Timeline: July 2024-February 2026
• Cost: $25.9 million
• Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond

As the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport continues, the city is looking to bring both local and national retailers to new terminal areas.

The details: The multiyear expansion, Journey with AUS, will add taxiways, a concourse, a parking garage and other improvements. Also included is the extension of the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal's west side and a smaller temporary terminal, Concourse M.

This month, city officials are slated to approve a new concession lease agreement that will bring new retail, food and beverage options to the West Gate Expansion area and Concourse M as the airport development program moves along. The deal could see travelers get access to products from local businesses such as Densudo Coffee, Rockman and autiNuts as well as national retailers Starbucks and Amazon.