ATX-CPF: Impact 10/7/2025

Cedar Park’s Firefly Aerospace is expanding its reach into the defense sector with the acquisition of a national security technology company.

On Oct. 5, Firefly announced it would be acquiring SciTec Inc. for $855 million. The sale will be achieved through a $300 million cash payment plus $555 million in Firefly stock, issued to the owners of SciTec at $50 per share. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, according to a news release.

The details: SciTec, headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, specializes in national security initiatives such as missile detection, surveillance and intelligence. Firefly aims to use the company’s programs to enhance its space services by adding mission-driven defense software, remote sensing and data analysis capabilities. SciTec technology will also be used for ground operations, including implementing AI-enhanced programs to improve response time.

Tamarind Indian Cuisine opened this summer in the former Aha Indian Restaurant building in Northwest Austin. 

The details: The restaurant serves classic Indian cuisine such as meat and vegetarian curries, biryanis and tandoori dishes; street snacks such as samosas; and desserts such as gulab jamun. Also on the menu are breakfast items such as dosas, or savory Indian crepes, with various fillings such as paneer, masala and Nutella. 

• 8650 Spicewood Springs Road, Ste. 119, Austin

Austin and neighboring cities are hosting various fall events featuring pumpkins, mazes, bounce houses and haunted houses. 

Round Rock Pumpkin Festival
The fourth annual pumpkin festival will bring all things fall to Round Rock including farm animals and feeding, a barrel train, pumpkin painting, a bouncy house and funnel cake. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Austin Pets Alive and the Old Settlers Association.

• Oct. 3-Nov. 1
• Free (admission for teachers, military and first responders), $10 (ages 3 and up)
• Old Settlers Park, 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock

• Sept. 27-Oct. 25
• $40-$50
• Old West Market, 14219 Littig Road, Manor

With Austin's ability to add new parkland to keep pace with population growth greatly limited under a new state law, local parks leaders are now eyeing millions of dollars in new land acquisition to ensure adequate access to green space around town.

The approach: Priority areas for parks additions, including a new recreation center for Southeast Austin, have already been identified and could guide future bond investments. According to Heymans, every $100 million of new acquisition funds would serve up to 10% more of the city's population by adding:

• 60 acres of destination parks
• 60 acres of pocket or neighborhood parks
• More than 200 acres of greenbelts

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.