Samsung weighs huge Austin-area growth: $200 billion investment, 11 new fabs, 10,000 new jobs "In what could be the biggest economic investment in Central Texas history, technology giant Samsung is considering building 11 new chipmaking facilities in the Austin area over the next two decades, a stunning move that could lead to nearly $200 billion in new investment and create more than 10,000 jobs, according to documents filed with the state." (Bob Sechler and Kara Carlson, Austin American-Statesman)

Travis County commissioners urge for reformed water management plan amid increasing drought risk "On July 19, Travis County commissioners approved sending the Lower Colorado River Authority an official request to re-examine its water management plan at a time when Texas A&M University's Office of the Texas State Climatologist reported rising temperatures are threatening Travis County’s access to water." (Katy McAfee, Community Impact)

Austin Transportation Department pilot program sets cap on Congress Avenue scooters "Fewer scooters are showing up on Congress Avenue since the implementation of an Austin Transportation Department pilot program in June. The program limits four scooter providers in Austin to dispatching no more than 100 scooters each along Congress Avenue, from East Cesar Chavez Street to the Texas Capitol." (Zach Keel, Community Impact)

Advocates, Council members rally behind affordable housing bond "Support for a potential $300 million affordable housing bond is growing. On Thursday, housing advocates and politicians launched a campaign to support the bond, which they say is needed to address Austin’s housing crisis." (Jonathan Lee, Austin Monitor)

Huston-Tillotson University listed on National Register of Historic Places "Huston-Tillotson University, the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Austin, is now a part of the National Register of Historic Places. The school will receive several benefits from register membership, including some protection from federal projects, connection to technical expertise and opportunities for grant funds meant for restoration and preservation." (Hannah Ortega, KVUE-ABC)

H-E-B adds mini-warehouse in Austin suburb for curbside and delivery "HE-B recently opened an e-commerce fulfillment center in Leander that’s expected to employ more than 150 people. The 50,000-square-foot facility, at 651 U.S. Highway 183 North, will support H-E-B curbside and home delivery orders throughout Central Texas. The facility, also known as a micro-fulfillment center, is at Leander’s H-E-B Plus! store." (John Egan, CultureMap Austin)

Despite rough quarter, Elon Musk says Tesla's Austin factory is revving up "Austin-based Tesla is continuing scale up production at its Central Texas facility, despite tough second quarter in with the the automaker saw profits fall due in part to supply chain issues and pandemic-related lockdowns in China." (Kara Carlson, Austin American-Statesman)