Check out some of the most-read stories coming out of Bastrop in 2024. From new retail coming soon to the area, to Elon Musk’s business developments, learn more about the stories Community Impact readers loved the most this year.

The Bastrop Kohl's will be located in Burleson Crossing East. (Courtesy Kohl's)
The Bastrop Kohl's will be located in Burleson Crossing East. (Courtesy Kohl's)


Kohl's is headed to Bastrop

City of Bastrop officials recently confirmed Kohl's is headed to Bastrop.

In a nutshell


The retailer will be located within the soon-to-come Burleson Crossing East, which will span 20 acres adjacent to Burleson Crossing at the northeast corner of Hwy. 71 and Edward Burleson Drive.

Learn more.

Sprouts Bastrop will be located within the soon-to-come Burleson Crossing East. (Courtesy Sprouts Farmers Market)
Sprouts Bastrop will be located within the soon-to-come Burleson Crossing East. (Courtesy Sprouts Farmers Market)


Sprouts Farmers Market to plant roots in Bastrop


The specialty grocery retailer will be nestled within the soon-to-come Burleson Crossing East near Kohl’s Bastrop.

What they offer

Sprouts Farmers Market offers a variety of fresh produce, meat and seafood. According to a previous news release, Sprouts encourages healthy eating by stocking its stores with farm-to-table foods from local producers with organic, plant-based and gluten-free options.

Read the full story.


X, formerly known as Twitter, is hiring staff to help operate the Bastrop safety support center.
X, formerly known as Twitter, is hiring staff to help operate the Bastrop safety support center.


Elon Musk to expand Bastrop footprint with X support center

Elon Musk will expand his Bastrop footprint by opening a safety support center for his social media company X—formerly known as Twitter—within Hyperloop Plaza, company officials said.

What's happening


The announcement was posted on the social media platform on July 29, noting that officials are looking to hire representatives with a base salary ranging from $50,000-$55,000.

There is more to the story – find it here.

Ad Astra, Latin for 'to the stars,' is nestled about a mile from Hyperloop Plaza—home to several other Musk-led ventures. (Courtesy Kesenia Chernaya/Pexels)
Ad Astra, Latin for "to the stars," is nestled about a mile from Hyperloop Plaza—home to several other Musk-led ventures. (Courtesy Kesenia Chernaya/Pexels)


Elon Musk launches Ad Astra school in Bastrop County


Elon Musk launched his latest Bastrop County endeavor by opening the inaugural enrollment of students at his new school, Ad Astra.

A closer look

Ad Astra, Latin for "to the stars," is nestled about a mile from Hyperloop Plaza—home to several other Musk-led ventures.

Read more about it.

Bastrop 552 Founder Alton Butler will open a film-play-stay concept on 545 acres of riverfront property in Bastrop. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)
Bastrop 552 Founder Alton Butler will open a film-play-stay concept on 545 acres of riverfront property in Bastrop. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact)


Bastrop 552 film studios no longer waiting in the wings, building to begin

Three years in the making, founder Alton Butler said the stage is set to resume building Bastrop 552 film studios after a recent plot twist: the disannexation of his 545-acre property on Lovers Lane.

Butler said his film-play-stay concept will include live music stages, immersive sets, river activities and more—all over the next decade.

During that time, Bastrop 552 is projected to bring nearly 1,000 jobs to Bastrop, generate over $59 million for the local economy and create over $9 million in local taxes, per an economic impact report conducted by Austin-based consulting firm Impact DataSource.

Learn more.