ATX-LTW: Impact 10/3/2025

Bee Cave Central Park could soon receive upgrades, following approval by Bee Cave City Council for a park improvement project.

The overview: Bee Cave City Council passed a resolution approving the Bee Cave Development Corporation’s adoption of its 2025 Bee Cave Central Park Infrastructure Improvement Project on Sept. 23. The project was approved by the BCDC on Aug. 26, with the first phase of the project now moving forward.

The details: “This phase is really about just doing early visibility and engineering work,” said Economic Development Planning Coordinator Chelsey Jimenez.

The Leander ISD board of trustees unanimously approved a resolution that outlines framework to address financial sustainability and long-range planning efforts. 

Zooming out: Current budget projections show a $22.8 million budget shortfall in 2026-27. Closing and repurposing Cypress, Faubion and Steiner Ranch elementary schools were potential cost-saving solutions presented, but alternative measures discussed included implementing an open enrollment policy which was later approved and increasing average daily attendance.

The framework: The resolution is intended to establish a clear process for long-range planning, define roles and outline timelines for the 2026-27 school year and beyond.

Some of the key details of the resolution include:

• Campus operations and consolidation
• Program analysis and modifications
• Facilities and asset management
• Revenue generation strategies
• Expenditure reduction strategies
• Community and staff engagement

Austin Community College is aiming to meet a growing demand for dental hygienists in Central Texas through an expanded dental hygiene clinic.

What's happening: ACC officials celebrated the opening of the newly renovated space at the ACC Eastview Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 1. Through the facility, ACC is projected to nearly double the dental hygiene program’s enrollment and provide affordable dental care to more community members, said Michelle Landrum, ACC Dental Hygiene department chair.

The details: Since 2003, ACC’s two-year program has trained students to become dental hygienists through hands-on work experience at its on-site dental clinic. The new 13,800-square-foot dental hygiene facility has increased the number of operatories from 16 to 32, allowing students to treat more patients.

The highly-competitive ACC program has now increased its annual cohorts from 18 to 34 students.

What they're saying: “Across Texas, dentists are having a very difficult time treating all of their patients because there are just not enough dental hygienists,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society.

Austin City Council backed Applied Materials’ request for federal trade relief under foreign trade zone, or FTZ, designation at its local facilities. That program can reduce the impact of federal import and export fees, which the company says will help it remain competitive.

The details: Applied Materials, which has a broad Austin manufacturing presence, joins other area companies like Samsung and Flex already using the trade zone program. Interest in FTZs has surged following federal tariff adjustments this year, with Austin officials supporting applications from Applied Materials' and Venkel Ltd. in the past few months. 

While FTZs may save companies money and free up resources, the application process has slowed due to high demand and greater federal scrutiny.