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New $2.2B Cedar Creek data center project, abatements under review

A proposed 2,842-acre data center and power campus—nearly twice the size of EdgeConneX’s three planned Cedar Creek campuses combined—could begin operating by 2028.

The gist: Pacifico Energy filed a June 24 application with the Texas Comptroller for a project at 382 Earl Callahan Road that would pair an unnamed data center tenant with a $2.24 billion natural gas-fired power facility.

The company is seeking a 10-year Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act agreement with Bastrop ISD that would limit the property value used to calculate school maintenance and operations taxes from 2029-38.

What else? The application lists requests for 100% Chapter 312 tax abatements from Bastrop County and Bastrop County Emergency Services District Nos. 1 and 3.

If approved, each abatement would run from 2029-38.

Bastrop County officials said they also received mass-grading permit applications.

What’s next: The Comptroller must determine whether the JETI application is complete before deciding whether to recommend it.

County staff will continue reviewing the requests. Any county tax abatement would require final action by the Bastrop County Commissioners Court.
 
Stay in the know
Bastrop Whataburger demolished ahead of $2.5M rebuild

The Bastrop Whataburger was demolished to make way for a new $2.5 million restaurant expected to open by the end of the year.

The update: Crews began demolition of the existing restaurant—which opened in 2001—on July 13.

What to expect: As reported by Community Impact in June, plans include a new 3,800-square-foot restaurant at the site.

The new restaurant will include:

  • Curbside pickup for mobile and online orders

  • New kitchen technology

  • Two drive-thru lanes

  • Updated digital menu boards

Operating partner Amy Zamora said the design is intended to make ordering easier and help the location’s 45 employees prepare and deliver orders more efficiently.

What’s next: Officials told Community Impact they plan to hold a grand opening celebration, with details expected in December.

  • Closed July 12; reopens in December 

  • 401 SH 71 W., Bastrop
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

'Singin’ in the Rain'

Hot Summer Nights

July 10-Aug. 15
Austin

July 16-18, times vary
Austin

More info

More info

 

Artemis Generation: NASA’s Next Giant Leap

From Balconies to Backyards

July 18, 1-2:30 p.m.
Round Rock

July 18, 1-7 p.m.
Georgetown

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Neighboring News
New Austin-area professional arena football team set to kick off in 2027

A new arena football team is slated to make the Austin area its home, beginning its first season in spring 2027 as a member of the Indoor Football League, or IFL, team owner Vivi Lin told Community Impact.

The team, which will be known as the ATX Draft, is “seriously considering” establishing its base of operations at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Lin said.

The details: The team is in talks with the H-E-B Center and has received strong support from local leaders, including Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin and Chief Economic Development Officer Arthur Jackson, Lin said.

She added that the team will focus on community engagement and aims to give fans more access than a typical professional sports team.

“We designed a lot of our resources and impact in the community to strengthen the families, develop leaders, create economic opportunities for local businesses and ultimately just to serve the Greater Austin community,” Lin said.

What's next: The team will share more details at a media launch event Aug. 5, Lin said.
 
CI Texas
Gov. Abbott: More than 75 people rescued amid 'record' Texas rainfall, flash flooding

As heavy rain and flash flooding threaten large swaths of South and Central Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott spoke to reporters about the state's preparation for and response to the severe weather July 15.

The big picture: The heaviest rainfall is occurring in southwest Texas, according to the National Weather Service, with 10-15 inches of rain expected through July 16 along the U.S. 90 corridor west of San Antonio.

As of 2:40 p.m. July 15, all or parts of 14 counties were under a flash flood warning, including Comal, Hays and Bexar counties.

The severe weather came just over a year after historic flooding killed more than 130 people in Central Texas on July 4-5, 2025.

Closer to home: The Lower Colorado River Authority partially opened a floodgate July 14 at Lake Bastrop Dam to release stormwater, which flows down Spicer and Piney creeks to the Colorado River.

More details: Dozens of other counties were under flood watches, advisories and warnings. 

Fifty-nine counties were also under a state disaster declaration as of July 14.
 

Your local team

Amanda Cutshall
Editor

Leslie Bradshaw
General Manager

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