Howdy, Hutto. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but there’s more growth news across Hippo Nation this week: from SoftBank appearing to be tied to a major lease at Hutto Crossing, to Hutto getting fresh attention as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, to Williamson County moving forward on a proposed justice center in Georgetown. And with school officially out, summer is here, which means things may feel a little slower and a little busier all at once.

Big Business Buzz | SoftBank Group Corp. appears to be tied to a major 280,000-square-foot lease at Hutto Crossing, according to Austin Business Journal reporting, adding another big-name project to Hutto’s growing business scene.

Fast-Growing Hutto | Mayor Mike Snyder shared that new Census Bureau numbers rank Hutto as the 13th fastest-growing city in the nation, while noting the city is continuing to invest in infrastructure and keep tax costs down.

County Justice Center | Williamson County commissioners approved buying 255 acres in southwest Georgetown and using up to $150 million in short-term funding for a proposed justice center, despite concerns from nearby residents.

Lady Hippos Honors | Hutto softball earned 11 all-district selections after a standout season, with Kaelyn Price named MVP, Matthew Mullins named Coach of the Year and Keyouna Harris named Defensive Player of the Year.

New Fire Station | Hutto is moving forward with plans for a new fire station near the Megasite and early steps toward its own fire department as city leaders look to boost public safety in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas.

City Council Update | Corina I. Zepeda was sworn in to Hutto City Council Place 4 last week, while the city thanked outgoing Councilmember Peter Gordon for seven years of service.

School Supply Drive | Treasure Trove Hobby Store is hosting its 2nd Annual Back-to-School Backpack & School Supplies Drive to help Hutto families start the next school year with backpacks, classroom basics and community support.

New Restaurant | Longhorn Steakhouse has signed a lease to open in Hutto’s Sprouts development near U.S. 79 and SH 130 as the project continues working through access details.

Hutto Farmers Market | 350 Ed Schmidt Blvd • 3–7 PM

The Crafty Corner & Craft Supply Swap - Ages 18+ | Hutto Public Library • 5–6:30 PM

Disney Muzingo (Music Bingo) | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 7 PM

Senior Bunco | Hutto Discovery UMC • 1–3 PM

Teen Watercolor Painting | Hutto Public Library • 2–4 PM

Bookbinding Workshop | The Story Emporium & Bookshop • 5–6:30 PM

Trivia Night | The Downtown Hall of Fame • 7–10 PM

Warpath Taekwondo Grand Opening | 3333 CR 119, Ste. 4 • 6 PM

Lit & Poured: Candle and Cocktail Making Class | Grapes & Rye • 6–9 PM

Floral Cake Decorating: The Bloom Workshop | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 4–6 PM

Jessy Eubanks (Live Music) | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 6 PM

Mixology Class (The Gilded Age) | Grapes & Rye • 7 PM

Ear Candy: Ear Cuff Jewelry Making | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 11 AM–1 PM

Mark Scott Jazz Duo (Live Music) | Cottonwood Creek Brewery • 12:30 PM

Kids Eat Free | Rio Grande is offering a free kids meal for children 10 and under with the purchase of an adult entrée every Monday for dine-in guests this summer.

Frozen Margaritas | The Downtown Hall of Fame is offering $5 frozen margaritas all summer long.

Shaved Ice | Bluebonnet Shaved Ice is open every day this summer from noon to 8 PM Purchase their legendary 22-ounce Texas Cup and get refills all season for only $3.79.

All-In Summer Pass | Hooky’s new All-In Summer Pass gives area families a $100 arcade card, daily bowling for up to five people, one movie ticket, and free popcorn for $99 while supplies last.

Tell them Howdy Hutto sent you!

Hutto is having one of those moments where the numbers finally match what everyone can already feel on the roads, in the neighborhoods, and around town: this place is growing fast.

New Census Bureau estimates put Hutto at 46,048 residents in 2025, up from 42,686 in 2024, making it the 13th fastest-growing city or town in the country among places with at least 20,000 people, with a 7.9% jump in just one year.

That kind of growth brings real opportunity: new families, new businesses, new investment, and more energy around town… but it also brings the less-glamorous work of keeping up.

You can see that next chapter taking shape all over Hutto: the city is moving forward with a new fire station near the Megasite, Cottonwood Marketplace is planned as a 58-acre shopping and dining destination on the Cottonwood Properties, and Austin Business Journal reporting points to SoftBank being tied to a major 280,000-square-foot lease at Hutto Crossing.

Even the road map is changing, with East Wilco Highway planned as a controlled-access route connecting south SH 130 to north I-35 and already creating new ways to move around US 79, support emergency vehicles, and connect industrial and commercial areas.

The encouraging part is that we still seem to believe in the heart of Hutto, with the city’s 2026 community survey showing 76% call Hutto an excellent or good place to live and 68% say they feel pride in the community.

The challenge now is protecting that feeling while building for what is coming next, because Hutto’s next chapter will not be defined by growth alone, but by how well we grow together.

A running list of businesses, restaurants, and developments headed our way.

Rice Stop | 210 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Suite 100 • Expected May 2026

Swig | 1101 Muirfield Bend Drive • Opening June 2026

Buffalo Wild Wings | 2270 Muirfield Drive • Expected September 2026

Dollar Tree | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Expected Fall 2026

Petco | 150 Alliance Blvd. • Expected Fall 2026

Antioch Pizza | 199 Co-op Blvd. • Opening 2026

El Pollo Rico | 901 Ed Schmidt Blvd. • Expected 2026

Sprouts Farmers Market | Development at Hwy 79 and SH 130 • Date TBD

Longhorn Steakhouse | Sprouts development at Hwy 79 and SH 130 • Date TBD

Cottonwood Marketplace | NW corner of Hwy 79 and Co Rd 132 • Date TBD

HTeaO | Across from the KFC on Chris Kelley Blvd. • Date TBD

A few scattered storms may roll through Wednesday, then Hutto heats back into the low 90s late week. The weekend stays warm and partly cloudy before easing into the upper 80s Sunday, with a full moon rising Saturday and Sunday evenings.

🌤️ Tue: Partly cloudy, upper 80s
🌧️ Wed: Scattered storms, low 80s
🌤️ Thu–Sat: Hot, low 90s
🌤️ Sun: Clouds clearing, upper 80s
🌕 Sat–Sun: Full moon evenings

👉 TL;DR: Stormy then hotter

*Forecast subject to change… because it’s Texas.

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Got something we should include next week? Just reply and let us know.