The city of Kyle was awarded a $750,000 non-urban outdoor grant by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for the first phase of renovations to Steeplechase Park. The project aims to improve accessibility, expand recreation and increase environmental care, according to the city.

The overview: The project will be supported with a $750,000 city match, bringing the park improvement funding total to $1.5 million.

The grant is structured as a reimbursable funding program, allowing the city to manage public dollars while advancing park improvements as funds are paid back by the TPWC.

The Steeplechase Park project will include a 12-foot multiuse trail featuring lighting, a pedestrian bridge, amenities, signage and trail markers, landscaping and creek restoration.

Next steps: City parks and recreation department staff are working to finalize the Steeplechase Park Master Plan, outlining long-term park improvements. The plan would guide sequencing, design and prioritization of future investments at the park.

The plan is anticipated to be presented to Kyle City Council in April.

Shoppers at the San Marcos Premium Outlets will soon see the opening of a popular footwear company offering a wide variety of sandals and laced shoes.

The gist: Birkenstock is set to finish out its location in the San Marcos outlets before the summer heat takes hold of Central Texas.

The retail business will complete its $50,000 building renovations and alterations on May 1, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations filing.

What’s offered: The brand sells sandals, clogs, professional shoes, sneakers, boots and footwear-related accessories for men, women and children.

• San Marcos Premium Outlets, 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 1350, San Marcos

Texas attracts dozens of company headquarters to the state annually, with at least 314 businesses moving their main office to Texas from other states between 2015-2024, data from the governor’s office shows.

Zooming in: At least 24 companies moved their headquarters to Texas in 2024, with more than half landing in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Two companies relocated from other countries, with data center developer Hive Digital Technologies bringing its home base from Canada to San Antonio and pharmaceutical company IntraBio Inc. moving its headquarters from the United Kingdom to Austin.

How we got here: State officials and experts said Texas’ economic incentives and light regulatory environment are key reasons why companies brought their operations to the state in recent years.

“Texas wants companies to move here, and [company leaders] know that,” Megan Mauro, interim president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, told Community Impact. “Our legislative policy is really impacted by the voices of employers here.”