The McKinney Community Development Corp. has awarded more than $1.1 million to three separate projects for infrastructure work.

In a nutshell: MCDC’s board of directors awarded funding as part of its Project Grants program during an Aug. 28 meeting. Project grants are available for eligible infrastructure improvement projects and more, according to MCDC’s website.

The details: Board members awarded $1,143,403 in total to three projects, according to an MCDC news release, including:

• Harvest Seed Project Foundation: $764,953
• Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary: $72,102.16
• CommonGood Medical: $306,348.08

Sam’s Rug Corner is now open in downtown McKinney, a representative of the business confirmed.

The gist: The business offers a variety of rugs for sale including antique rugs and rugs from Iran, Turkey, India and more. The shop also buys and trades rugs, and offers professional rug washing and repair services, according to an Instagram post from the business.

• 213 N. Kentucky St., McKinney

Check out five upcoming and ongoing transportation projects around Dallas-Fort Worth, as previously reported by Community Impact.

1. Legacy Drive widening: Legacy Drive will be widened from Lebanon Road to Stonebrook Parkway in Frisco. Stonebrook Parkway will also be widened from Legacy Drive to 4th Army Drive as part of the project. The roadways will also be reconstructed along with the widening.
Update: The project is currently in the design phase. Construction is set to start later this year.

• Timeline: mid 2026-mid 2028
• Cost: $20 million
• Funding source: city of Frisco

2. East Virginia Street improvements: Reconstruction of East Virginia Street in McKinney will occur between Murray Street and Airport Drive. The project will include a new alignment and connection to Airport Drive and a new roundabout at the intersection of Virginia Street and Lively Hill Lane.
Update: Design work is 90% complete. Franchise utility coordination and right-of-way acquisitions are underway. The project is expected to bid in early 2027.

• Timeline: Early 2027-early 2029
• Cost: $15 million
• Funding source: city of McKinney

Three candidates are running to lead the Texas Department of Agriculture in the Nov. 3 election.

The details: Libertarian Austin R. Kelly, Republican Nate Sheets and Democrat Clayton Tucker are vying to become Texas' next commissioner of agriculture. The commissioner's duties include regulating agriculture, administering nutrition programs and providing rural economic development assistance.

How we got here: There is no incumbent in this race after Sheets beat sitting Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in the March Republican primary. Tucker ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while Kelly was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

The winner of the November midterm will be sworn in to succeed Miller in January.

Looking ahead: Early voting runs from Oct. 19-30 in the midterm election, and Election Day is Nov. 3.