ATX-NCA: Impact 10/10/2025

Battery-powered home energy service Base Power has acquired funds to expand its operations with a Texas factory in the heart of Austin.

What to know: The company has raised $1 billion alongside 20 investors which will help build its first Texas factory in the space previously occupied by the Austin-American Statesman printing press in downtown Austin.

"Base Power is an Austin-born company, and we're excited about deepening our investment in the city with the goal of bringing affordable, reliable power to Texans," Co-founder and CEO Zach Dell said.

The energy storage and power electronics factory will help meet the company’s current and future demands with its plans to expand services nationwide.

“We’re building domestic manufacturing capacity for fixing the grid,” COO and co-founder Justin Lopas said. “The only way to add capacity to the grid is physically deploying hardware, and we need to make that here in the U.S., ourselves.

• 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin

A property off I-35 is expected to serve as a new city homeless navigation center after council members approved the site's acquisition, despite objections of some South Austin residents.

The details: The Sunrise center has drawn criticism given its location near an elementary school and park, and due to frequent public safety and nuisance complaints around the property. Attorney General Ken Paxton also sued to shut the facility down last year; legal proceedings are ongoing this fall with a hearing next scheduled for Nov. 6.

For months, Austin officials have been planning for a relocated navigation center under greater city oversight. The Homeless Strategy Office, now called Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations, announced a property at 2401 S. I-35, Austin as a potential option for the new facility in early September.

City Council voted in favor of the $4.38 million property purchase Oct. 9. The new navigation facility could open as soon as next spring.

Concordia University Texas added its bachelor's of science in wildlife conservation for students in the fall 2025 semester. The new major will focus on management of wildlife populations, protecting endangered species and maintaining healthy ecosystems, according to a university news release. 

The details: Students in the new program will prepare for careers in conservation, habitat management, ecology and wildlife biology through classes and fieldwork. Those pursuing the wildlife conservation major will utilize Concordia's on-campus nature preserve for their education.  

The background: Concordia University, located in northwest Austin, is home to part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. The 250-acre federally protected land makes up more than half of the 440-acre campus, and hosts endangered and threatened species like the golden-cheeked warbler and Jollyville Plateau salamander.

Off campus, Concordia manages the Friesenhahn Cave in San Antonio, a paleontological site. 

• 11400 Concordia University Drive, Austin

The Texas taco chain Velvet Taco has opened a new North Austin location on Burnet Road in the previously closed Flyrite Chicken.

A closer look: The new 2,469 square-foot space features 75 indoor seats and 35 patio seats

“This area has incredible energy and growth, and we're unleashing our globally-inspired flavors deeper into Austin's food scene,” General Manager Jared Jaramillo said in a statement.

Velvet Taco’s fusion menu includes more than 20 tacos and bowls with unique flavors such as spicy tikka chicken, beer-battered cauliflower, bacon smash burger and more, according to its website.

The menu also features dishes with brisket roasted for 18 hours, a 48-hour marinated Backdoor Chicken, candied pepitas and Thai basil.

The storefront serves alcoholic beverages, including margaritas and beer, as well as slices of red velvet cake.

Of note: The Dallas-based chain was established in 2011 and has three other locations in the Austin area.

• 6539 Burnet Road, Austin