\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFrom the Texas Broadband Development Office awarding a $43.1 million grant to Austin Water halting its Bastrop ASR project, here’s the latest government-related news impacting Bastrop County.<\/p>\n
$43.1M grant to bring internet to rural Bastrop<\/a><\/p>\n More than 10,000 Bastrop County homes and businesses are being connected to the internet through a $43.1 million grant the Texas Broadband Development Office<\/a> awarded earlier this year.<\/p>\n What we know<\/p>\n With construction now underway, Bastrop County officials and representatives from Highline<\/a>\u2014the provider installing the high-speed fiber internet to previously unserved locations\u2014celebrated the milestone Dec. 3 at the Bastrop County Courthouse.<\/p>\n Lewis credited several key players for their ongoing commitment to closing the digital divide in Bastrop County, including:<\/p>\n Bastrop County Commissioners CourtBastrop County CaresSt. David\u2019s FoundationCommunities UnlimitedLower Colorado River AuthorityConnected NationBastrop County Economic Development Organization\u201cThis significant investment cements Bastrop County\u2019s commitment to closing the digital divide,\u201d Adena Lewis, Bastrop County\u2019s director of tourism and economic development, said in a statement. \u201cAccess to reliable, high\u2010speed internet is vital for education, healthcare, business and community well\u2010being.\u201d<\/p>\n Zooming in<\/p>\n Bastrop County was one of 13 counties to earn the grant funding through the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas<\/a>, or BOOT II, program.<\/p>\n \u201cExpanding broadband countywide will ensure our students can learn, our businesses can grow and our residents can stay connected in an increasingly digital world,\u201d Bastrop County Precinct 4 Commissioner David Glass said.<\/p>\n The outlook<\/p>\n Lewis added that installations of the high-speed fiber internet are expected to be completed in late 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cUpon completion, Bastrop County residents and businesses will enjoy enhanced broadband options at affordable rates\u2014unlocking opportunities in telehealth, remote learning, small business growth, civic engagement and beyond,\u201d she said in a news release.<\/p>\n Bastrop seeks Texas State University campus<\/a><\/p>\n The city of Bastrop wants a Texas State University campus or satellite instructional center within the community.<\/p>\n The details<\/p>\n Dori Kelley, business attraction, retention and expansion manager for the Bastrop Economic Development Corp., cited previous interest from the Texas State University System to expand its footprint in Central Texas<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBastrop\u2019s unique combination of historic charm, rapid population growth and economic expansion makes it an ideal location for consideration as a potential satellite instructional center or full campus,\u201d she said in a staff report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Zooming in<\/p>\n Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris emphasized that Texas State University<\/a>\u2019s presence in Bastrop would serve as a \u201ccatalyst for workforce development.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBastrop has become a hub for growth, innovation and opportunity\u2014attracting a unique mix of global corporations, small businesses and creative entrepreneurs,\u201d he said in a letter to Brian McCall, chancellor of the Texas State University System.<\/p>\n Austin Water halts Bastrop ASR project<\/a><\/p>\n Austin Water is no longer pursuing an Aquifer Storage and Recovery project<\/a> in Bastrop County.<\/p>\n The details<\/p>\n Although Austin City Council was scheduled to vote on a collaboration agreement with Bastrop County entities, which would have advanced the project to a field testing phase, Austin Water withdrew the item from the Nov. 20 Austin City Council agenda.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile Austin put our best foot forward to achieve the collaboration and partnership that would be needed to complete testing and eventually build such a regional project, we didn\u2019t reach the level of partnership that is needed,\u201d Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson said in a memorandum sent to Austin City Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino noted the agenda item removal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe residents in Bastrop won,\u201d she said in a Nov. 19 statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some context<\/p>\n The ASR project, which was approved as part of Austin\u2019s Water Forward Plan<\/a>, aimed to store and draw water at the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer through a facility Austin officials planned to build in northeast Bastrop County, as previously reported by Community Impact<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bastrop County entities that did not approve the collaboration agreement included:<\/p>\n 189-acre development planned in Bastrop County<\/a><\/p>\n A 189-acre commercial development is planned for Bastrop County that could expand the region\u2019s business corridor and tap into the area\u2019s rapid population growth and ever-rising consumer demand.<\/p>\n The details<\/p>\n Tampa-based Franklin Street<\/a>, a commercial real estate services firm, sold the vacant property to Cedar Creek EAT 1031 behalf of 6682 FM 535 Associates\u2014a sale that was announced Dec. 2.<\/p>\n The location neighbors a Lower Colorado River Authority<\/a> substation and a $1.4 million data center campus<\/a> in Cedar Creek.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were able to meet our clients\u2019 goals and find a buyer that has a vision for the land in accordance with the growth and direction of the area,\u201d said Marshall Durrett, Franklin Street managing director.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From the Texas Broadband Development Office awarding a $43.1 million grant to Austin Water halting its Bastrop 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