🌱 What do two $462M data centers mean for Bastrop’s future?
Bastrop, Texas Patch AM: a 5 min readWhat's up Bastrop! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What do two $462M data centers mean for Bastrop’s future?
- How will Musk’s new gas turbine plant reshape Bastrop?
- What Bastrop’s new budget means for your 2026-27 city tax bill
Also on today's calendar: Live Music: Playing to the Plants and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 98 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 100, low: 76.
- Sunday: Hot; a p.m. t-storm or two, with a high of 100 and low of 77 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Construction Planning Shifts Beyond Data Center Boom (inside.lighting) — Two huge EdgeConneX data centers, each valued at about $462 million, are now in planning for Bastrop, signaling a major shift from the recent data center boom to broader construction activity. For local residents, these projects could bring significant construction jobs, long-term tech employment, and infrastructure changes as Bastrop becomes a key node in the national data center network. 
2. Elon Musk has a new plan to solve AI's massive problem (latination.com) — Musk’s team is planning a natural gas turbine manufacturing operation in Bastrop to power massive AI data centers, after concluding solar alone can’t meet near-term electricity needs. For residents, that could mean new industrial jobs, heavier energy infrastructure, and environmental questions as the facility ramps up to support global tech growth from right here in town.
3. Bastrop's 2026-27 budget advances with staff raises (communityimpact.com) — Bastrop City Council has advanced the 2026-27 budget with a no-new-revenue tax rate, meaning the median homeowner is expected to pay about $36 less in city property taxes due to lower taxable values. City leaders emphasize they avoided a tax hike while keeping services steady, with a final budget vote set for September 22 before the new fiscal year begins October 1.
4. Liberty Hill City Council votes to end Flock contract (fox7austin.com) — Bastrop city leaders have now joined several Central Texas communities in voting to end their contract with Flock Safety’s license plate reader cameras, citing privacy concerns raised by residents. While Liberty Hill’s unanimous vote is the focus, Bastrop’s move means local automated plate readers under that agreement will be phased out, reshaping how police use this technology around town.
5. Musk's Boring Company Scores $23 Billion Valuation Despite Slow Progress (thedailyupside.com) — Musk’s Boring Company just landed a huge new funding round that values the tunneling startup at $23 billion, despite having only one completed project so far. For Bastrop residents, the piece notes that recent company activity has largely centered on connecting Musk’s rural corporate campus outside town, hinting that future tunnel or infrastructure work could continue focusing on this area.
📸 Around Bastrop
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Bastrop
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Bastrop County Film Industry Meetup series 2026 →
Hampton Inn & Suites Bastrop, 240 S Hasler Blvd, Bastrop
6:00 pm
Wednesday September 16
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Sunset Swifts
Bastrop State Park BastropStatePark Map&Directions
7:30 pm -
Girl Scouts Love State Parks - Fire Through Our Forest – Guided H
Bastrop State Park BastropStatePark Map&Directions
9:00 am -
Live Music: Playing to the Plants →
Chestnut Grove Food Truck Court, 710 Chestnut Street, Bastrop
11:00 am -
Library Program: Bastrop County Genealogical Society: Local History Room
Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church Street, Bastrop
1:00 pm -
Girl Scouts Love State Parks - Lost Pines Wildlife - Skins and Skul
Buescher State Park BuescherStatePark Map&Directions
1:00 pm -
Region 7 Meeting →
Bastrop City Hall, 1311 Chestnut St, Bastrop
11:30 am -
Exploration Station - Come and Go Discovery Table
Bastrop State Park BastropStatePark Map&Directions
8:00 am -
Bonsai Workshop – 2.5 Hour Experience →
Bastrop TX
2:00 pm -
Toddler Time →
Bastrop TX
11:00 am
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
Wednesday September 23
📣 Bastrop Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Sunset Swifts
BastropStatePark Map&Directions
7:30 pm -
Girl Scouts Love State Parks - Fire Through Our Forest – Guided H
BastropStatePark Map&Directions
9:00 am
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Bastrop PatchAM possible:
- Nisha’s Indian Cuisine — (646) 982-8508
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the individual who turned in my wallet to Bastrop PD!!!!!!!!!!!
The news shows us most of the bad things that happen. But the truth is, is that there’s still a lot of good in this world to be thankful for! Thanks… (Nextdoor Lake Bastrop) - Recently moved to the Colony.
My daughter is a stay at home mom with a soon to be 3 yo. We are looking for individuals/groups that have similar aged children that get together for… (Nextdoor The Colony)
- P. Terry's Burger Stand posted a job opening for Shift Lead in Bastrop. Apply here.
- Sames Motor Company, Inc. posted a job opening for AUTOMOTIVE SALES & LEASING CONSULTANT in Bastrop. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bastrop here.
Ok Bastrop! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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