News
Every 254 Biz story, newest first. Each one is built from public records, with sources at the bottom.
Five Dallas-based companies get sales tax permits at two Comanche County sites, two under a data-hosting code
The Comptroller issued five new sales tax permits on Oct. 30 for two rural Comanche County addresses, plus a Chick-fil-A permit at Stargate in Milam County.
Oct. 31, 2026
Herzog files WARN notices for 109 Austin jobs, with layoffs set for Dec. 31
Three Herzog companies told the Texas Workforce Commission on Oct. 27 that they will lay off 109 workers in Austin.
Oct. 31, 2026
New sales tax permits: Zaxby's in Temple, Schlotzsky's in Hillsboro and 19 T-Mobile stores
The Comptroller added 183 new sales tax permits for outlets in the 254 area from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31, led by Bell (50) and McLennan (48).
Oct. 31, 2026
Permits and filings: A Panda Express for Waco, a bigger Killeen sanctuary and a $14M Austin office remodel
The state added 35 commercial construction projects worth about $54.4 million in 254 Biz counties since our Oct. 30 pull, including five in McLennan, Bell and Williamson counties.
Oct. 31, 2026
Permits and filings: Austin Retina, Central National Bank and a $20.5M Bell County annex lead October's state filings
Owners registered 39 projects worth about $119.9 million with the state in McLennan, Bell and Coryell counties from Sept. 30 to Oct. 28.
Oct. 30, 2026
Temple's sales tax allocation jumps 16.6% as 254-area cities collect $25.6M in October
The Comptroller sent $25.6 million in October sales tax allocations to 77 cities across the 254, up 10.5% from a year ago.
Oct. 30, 2026
Last call, first call: The Beltonian Theatre, Thai Cafe and The Cave among October's new TABC licenses
TABC issued 41 new permits and licenses in the 254 area from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29, and 29 more applications were pending.
Oct. 30, 2026
Who poured the most: The Backyard tops Waco and Cadence Bank Center leads Bell County in September drink sales
The top mixed-beverage sellers in McLennan and Bell counties in September, from Comptroller gross-receipts reports.
Oct. 30, 2026
Newsletter issues
254 Biz newsletter: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
A $550M data center shell in Hutto, a $20.5M Bell County annex, Temple's sales tax jump and 552 new sales tax permits across the 254.