We’re hosting a happy hour at our HQ, just for InCIders!

When: Nov. 12, 2025 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Where: Community Impact Headquarters - 16225 Impact Way, Pflugerville

What: drinks and bites + HQ and printing plant tour + meet CI Staff and fellow Austin InCIders… and more!

Now, on to the week’s news!

The overview: Austin leaders approved updates to a city incentive program for film, television and digital media projects early this fall. The move is expected to spark the local creative economy following recent state legislation aimed at Texas-based productions.

For more than a decade, Austin has supported various local productions through the city's Creative Content Incentive Program, or CCIP. Through the program, projects like movies, TV shows and video games receive incentives in exchange for following local pay and hiring guidelines, and highlighting the city in production credits.

TV series like the second season of Paramount's "Yellowstone" prequel "1923" and multiple seasons of CW's "Walker" and ABC's "American Crime" have used Austin's CCIP. A "Call of Duty" video game and the Richard Linklater-directed film "Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood" have also participated.

Those projects spent tens of millions of dollars in the Austin area including at least $61.78 million paid to nearly 2,200 local workers, and they received about $550,000 in total city incentives. Final reporting on the impacts of two "Walker" seasons and the second "1923" season wasn't available as of press time.

The approach: In the past year, industry members like actor Matthew McConaughey and "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan petitioned state leaders for increased TMIIIP funding to draw more major productions to Texas. Lawmakers did so this spring, ensuring the program will now receive $300 million every two years over the coming decade.

“It's going to immediately create more jobs, and we're going to put a lot more Texas residents to work. Texans who've had to leave the state for work are now going to return because the work will be here,” McConaughey testified at the Capitol in April.

Following Texas' funding increase, Austin leaders voted Sept. 25 to revise the local CCIP for the first time since its creation in 2014 to capitalize on the state-level changes. The city now projects increased activity within the film, animation and video game sectors, bringing expected benefits for the "creative and overall economy," Austin Economic Development spokesperson Carlos Soto said.

Nana B’s Country Kitchen, owned by Victor Friar and Keysha Nichols-Friar, is now open in Round Rock.

The restaurant offers comfort food with dishes such as smash burgers, fried catfish, turkey legs, oxtails, wings, chili and more.

“Everything is made with love,” Nichols-Friar said. “It’s not just food; it’s a whole vibe.” Read now.

🍸 Moxies to open restaurants in The Domain, downtown Austin (Full story)

🎯 San Marcos Target set for $15M remodel (Full story)

☕ Godsent Coffee truck now open in far Northwest Austin (Full story)

🥢 Simply Pho House opens in Cedar Park (Full story)

Grey Orchard, a new restaurant specializing in modern American cuisine, plans to open in Round Rock later this year.

The restaurant, owned by James Sun, will take over the former space of Denny’s on I-35 in Round Rock. Cole Fitzgerald, who earned a Michelin Guide mention in 2023, will lead the kitchen. Together, the pair opened Fig Italian Kitchen & Bar in Austin.

The restaurant will have a bar-top seating in addition to the dining room, as well as space for private parties and events. Read now. Read now.

🍂 Weekend guide: Check out these 13 Austin-area events to kick off October (Full story)

📋 Hays County to revamp development regulations with public input (Full story)

🌳 Bee Cave approves Central Park improvement project (Full story)

💰 Travis County $2.2B budget to boost flood recovery, mental health and health care services (Full story)

🤠 Feasibility study underway in Bastrop for Rodeo Arena improvements (Full story)

Susan Stone has a fine art degree, 25 years of experience teaching, is a master gardener, and has a passion for people and florals.

She first began arranging wedding florals four years ago out of her home, letting one of her hobbies turn into a business.

“I was trying to see if I would get tired of it because you think, ‘Oh I would love doing that.’ But, if you had to do it every day would it still be good? And I found out I love doing it,” Stone said.

Stone harnessed her creativity, and love of antiques, floral design and human connection to open her own storefront, Flower Bells, in downtown Georgetown in September 2024. Read now.

💼 Applied Materials gains local support for trade relief at Austin-area sites amid tariff pressures (Full story)

🎒 Leander ISD approves resolution for long-range planning efforts (Full story)

📰 Bastrop tackles flood hazards (Full story)

⚾ Phase 2 of 1849 Park nears completion (Full story)

🚙 Help shape the future of Uber Kyle $3.14 ride-hailing program (Full story)