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South Texas Businesses Struggle to Find Workers as Immigration Arrests Surge
South Texas businesses along the Texas-Mexico border struggle with worker shortages amid a steep rise in immigration arrests, affecting construction and farming sectors in…
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Future of the South
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Waymo’s Texas Robotaxi Fleet Grew 49% in Three Weeks
Waymo sharply increased its Texas robotaxi fleet to over 1,100 vehicles, expanding service in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. This growth highlights the…
Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi Are Competing for the Next Generation of Megaprojects
Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are competing for huge investments from SpaceX and xAI in semiconductor plants, launch complexes, and AI data centers. These projects…
Hyundai Says Georgia Metaplant Hiring Goal Holds as Hybrid Production Expands
Hyundai's Georgia manufacturing complex is expanding hybrid vehicle production without changing its production or employment targets. The plant employs 2,200 directly and aims for…
How 4.5 Million Border Migrants Reshaped the Sun Belt’s Population Map
Millions of border migrants settled across the Sun Belt, not just in familiar hubs. Florida leads, but new migration corridors extend to Georgia, Texas,…
A Tiny Texas Community Is Becoming a $1.2 Billion Data Center Hub
Two new data centers planned in Cedar Creek, Texas, represent a $1.2 billion investment, marking the area as a growing AI infrastructure hub. The…
The Sun Belt’s Battery Belt Is Losing Jobs as EV Factory Plans Shrink and Shift
The Sun Belt’s Battery Belt is losing jobs as electric vehicle factory plans shrink and shift toward energy storage. Economic investments are changing amid…
A 10,000-Worker Technician Shortage Is Hitting the Machines That Build America
A shortage of approximately 10,000 diesel technicians is affecting equipment repair across the Sun Belt, delaying construction and agricultural projects and increasing costs. Skilled…
Phoenix Can Survive the Colorado River Cuts. The Water Fix Won’t Be Cheap
Phoenix braces for reduced Colorado River water by investing billions in infrastructure, including pipelines and wastewater recycling. These moves help secure water reliability but…
Sprouts Is Following Sun Belt Growth Into the Next Ring of Suburbs
Sprouts Farmers Market is growing beyond major metros, opening new stores in fast-expanding Sun Belt suburbs. This trend signals how suburban growth is attracting…
The $4 Labor Day: Why Sun Belt Families Are Feeling the Gas-Price Surge So Differently
Gasoline prices in the Sun Belt have climbed above $4 a gallon in many states, but the impact varies widely. Families face rising commuting…
The Next Sun Belt Highway May Carry Power, Water and Data Alongside Cars
The federal government proposes using highway corridors to carry utilities like power and broadband, aiming to support the Sun Belt’s fast growth and infrastructure…