Kyle broke ground on a 101-acre mixed-use project bringing an estimated 800 full-time jobs, retail stores, restaurants, housing and green space to the city’s east side. Officials from the city and NewQuest Properties developers put shovels to dirt on Wednesday, signifying the project’s start.

The big picture: The development will bring approximately 450,000 square feet of commercial space to the east side of Kyle, with over 20 confirmed tenants, according to city officials.

The development will include over 400 multifamily apartment units as well as public access green spaces designed for events, dining and recreational activities.

The breakdown: The project is the largest private investment in the city’s history at an estimated $250 million when fully completed and operational, said Bryan Langley, city of Kyle city manager, at the groundbreaking. The development will bring in an anticipated $2.5 million in sales tax revenue and $1 million in property tax revenue annually.

From new eateries to anniversaries, read about six business updates for the Buda area.

Now open: Astra Restaurant & Bar: From Austin restaurateur Matti Bills, Astra will offer a variety of menu items, including artisan sandwiches, sourdough pizza, handmade pastas, seasonal vegetable dishes, burgers, craft cocktails and house-made soft-serve waffle cones. 

• Opened Feb. 6 at 404 Main St., Buda

• Opening March 1 at 1390 Robert S Light Blvd., Buda

• 381 Old San Antonio Road, Buda

Check out some of the top trending news stories from the Austin area, Feb. 2-5.

1. Williamson County breaks ground on $132M Hero Way, RM 2243 expansion

2. Ridge Crossing retail project now under construction

3. New hotel, Big Air trampoline park to open off Hero Way

4. Georgetown Sleep Center closes permanently

5. PopStroke eyes spring opening for new Cedar Park venture

6. Major grocery chain to build convenience store in San Marcos

Samsung Austin Semiconductor celebrated its 30th anniversary Feb. 2, an official with the company confirmed.

Samsung came to Austin and began planning for its semiconductor manufacturing facility off Parmer Lane in 1996.

The history: Over the last 30 years, Samsung Austin Semiconductor has opened two fabrication units at its Austin campus. Construction on the first was finished in July 1997, followed by the second in 2007, according to a timeline on the company’s website.

The site has evolved throughout the years to produce more advanced semiconductor technology, the timeline shows.

In 2024, Samsung Austin Semiconductor contributed $19.8 billion in economic impact to the greater Central Texas area, according to data from the company. This includes operations of the Austin fabrication units and construction of the Taylor manufacturing facility.

What else? Samsung Austin Semiconductor moved employees into the office building at its new Taylor campus in November.

The fabrication facility in Taylor will be operational by the end of 2026, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

• 12100 Samsung Blvd., Austin; 1530 FM 973, Taylor

Texas gained more new residents last year than any other U.S. state, recently released U.S. Census Bureau data shows. Yet the Lone Star State’s overall population growth slowed significantly amid a nationwide reduction in immigration from other countries.

The big picture: Texas grew by 391,243 residents in 2025, bringing the state’s total population to 31.7 million. This includes:

• Domestic migration: Over 67,000 people moved to Texas from other states.
• International migration: Over 167,000 people moved to Texas from other countries.
• Natural change: There were roughly 157,000 more births than deaths in Texas.