HTX-TOM: Impact 8/25/2025

The Magnolia Economic Development 4B Corp., also called MCDC, is moving forward with plans for a new multipurpose community center, one of the top priorities identified in the city’s 2024 parks master plan, according to an Aug. 12 news release. 

What this means: The study, facilitated by Smith & Company Architects, will include two open houses at Magnolia City Hall on Aug. 26 from 1-4 p.m. and Aug. 28 from 5-7 p.m. Residents can drop in to review concepts, take surveys and share feedback with city representatives, per the release.

According to the release, the proposed center could include:

• Fitness amenities: exercise rooms for classes, court sports, a walking track and cardio areas
• Educational and multipurpose spaces: rooms for classrooms, community meetings and local events and indoor receptions
• Outdoor recreation: community gardens, walking trails and a splash pad

FS8 The Woodlands is coming soon. 

At a glance: FS8 offers low-impact and high-energy training that was developed for every body, according to the company. The FS8 website states the company has a fitness program combining elements of Pilates, tone and yoga.

• Opening in October
• 30420 FM 2978, The Woodlands

Lone Star College System is moving forward with plans to offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with help from a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release. 

The details: The grant will help fund consulting services and curriculum development for the degree program, as stated in the release.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching will serve early childhood-grade 3 and early childhood-grade 6. The degree is expected to launch in fall 2026 with an initial cohort of 150 students, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release. 

Diving in deeper: The bachelor’s degree would become the fifth bachelor’s program in the college system’s offerings, which includes cybersecurity, emergency management, energy and trades management and nursing, according to the release.

The Greater Houston area housing market is entering a “more balanced and sustainable” period as of July according to a report from the Houston Association of Realtors.

The details: Despite a slight decrease in regional housing affordability in the second quarter of 2025, the Greater Houston area housing area market saw a significant increase in year over year home sales according to the July housing inventory report from HAR. The number of active single-family home listings jumped from 46,629 in July 2024 to 61,144 in July 2025, a 31.1% increase in homes on the market.

In their words: “The rising inventory levels have led to modest price adjustments by sellers,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar said. “While some homeowners are adjusting their expectations, many homes are still attracting solid offers. This is a good indicator that the Houston market continues to be in a relatively healthy and balanced spot.”