Central Texas officials, business leaders, representatives and students of the Texas State University System gathered in the newly opened Esperanza Hall Aug. 19 to mark the latest addition to the Round Rock campus.

The big picture: The university also announced a new electrical engineering program during the building’s dedication.

Launching in the fall of 2027, the program will have three concentrations in computer engineering, nanotechnology and network communication. In the coming years, a fourth concentration in power and energy will be added, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse said.

About the project: Esperanza Hall was a $52.4 million project, bringing 81,600 square feet of additional instructional space.

The facility includes a tiered lecture hall, classrooms, study spaces and lounge rooms on the first floor, according to the university. The second and third floors are shell space for future expansion.

"We are building a campus that will grow with this community, creating new opportunities for our students, and preparing graduates to meet the workforce needs of one of the most dynamic regions in Texas," Damphousse said.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks established a new chapter in North Austin this month, holding a ceremony to secure the first new lodge in Central Texas in over a decade.

The overview: The North Austin Elks Lodge No. 2894, based out of Round Rock, is now developing new programs focused on support for veterans, youth activities and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, according to a press release.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization with hundreds of thousands of members across the country, with a network of nearly 2,000 lodges. Chapters, which also act as social clubs, raise funds to provide scholarships, host youth sports events, connect veterans with services, provide disaster relief and more.

Williamson County commissioners unanimously approved an economic development agreement Aug. 20 for Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space technology company, to possibly construct a facility on Innovation Boulevard in Hutto.

What we know: The deal would facilitate Blue Origin’s construction of approximately one million square-feet of industrial research space related to the aerospace and defense industry, located in Hutto Crossing industrial park, according to county documents.

The facility represents an $674 million investment in the county, and would create as many as 2,000 jobs in 10 years, officials said at the meeting. This would make it the largest employer in the city of Hutto, Precinct 4 commissioner Russ Boles said

Something to note: The county’s deal mirrors the incentives that the Hutto Economic Development Corporation recently approved, Snell said. The exact details of the agreements have not been made public, and are still under active negotiation, EDC Director Cheney Gamboa said.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco, will face Democratic challenger Casey Shepard in the race to represent District 17 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The southwestern corner of District 17 includes parts of Williamson County. The district stretches north up to Waco and east to the Lufkin area.

What to bring to the polls: Voters should bring a photo ID with them to the polls. According to the secretary of state's office, acceptable forms of photo ID include:

• Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

• Texas election identification certificate issued by DPS

• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

• Texas handgun license issued by DPS

• U.S. Military identification card containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

• U.S. passport (book or card)

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.