Welcome back to Prop Lab, where we bridge the gap between trades professionals, real estate developers, investors and professionals in Austin, Texas.
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Flow Forward: Why Water Policy Just Became a Growth Story
On Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, NAIOP Austin, a Commercial Real Estate Development Association, hosted a luncheon on water policy and commercial real estate.
Texas faces $154B in long-term water infrastructure needs. Lawmakers have already approved $1B per year for 20 years and allocated $2.5B upfront to jumpstart projects.
Local leaders in Georgetown and Hays County are expanding plants, investing in distribution, and planning regionally. Growth is continuing, but infrastructure discipline is now part of the equation.
If you build in Central Texas, water now affects:
Entitlements
Land valuation
Capital timing
Long-term asset performance
Smart operators are asking about water first!
5 Things To Do Now:
Confirm capacity before underwriting land
Know your utility decision-makers
Design with conservation in mind
Watch groundwater policy closely
Think regionally
Austin is still growing. And the builders who understand infrastructure strategy will lead the next decade of growth.
For the full article, please refer to here and for more information, please reach out to NAIOP or Jeremy directly.
Jarred Curcio - The Focus Room, a new Self-Mastery Centre launching in East Austin.
Jarred, Founder of the Focus Room. The Focus Room is for people who want more from themselves and are willing to do the work.
If anyone knows hardwork, it’s Jarred and his wife Katelyn. I believe an image is worth 1,000 words, so I’ll leave you with this…
My name is Jarred Curcio. I’m a former corporate sales leader and sales coach turned entrepreneur, and I’m the soon-to-be owner of The Focus Room, a new Self-Mastery Centre launching in East Austin.
I built my career leading teams, developing people, and coaching high performers through pressure, uncertainty, and the mental grind that comes with big goals. At the same time, I’ve always been obsessed with physical transformation.
I’m a former natural bodybuilding champion, and for me, the gym was never just about aesthetics. It was always about identity. Discipline. Agency. Becoming the kind of person who keeps promises to themselves.
Today, I coach people to build what I call the full stack: body, mind, and mission. Get in the best shape of your life, develop a resilient mindset that can handle anything, and then channel that energy into the life you actually want to build.
I run my one-on-one coaching through TRUE Fitness & Focus, and alongside my wife Katelyn Curcio, we also coach couples through Supernova Couples Synergy Coaching, helping them reignite their power, passion, and purpose together.
We host the Genius at Work podcast as well, available wherever podcasts are found.
For the full story on Jarred’s journey, go here.
Real Estate Networking | REAL Café
Who: ianofAustin is connecting brokers, agents, investors, and industry professionals
What: A casual real estate networking meetup at Cosmic Pickle.
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 10AM - 11:30AM CST
Where: Cosmic Pickle (Austin)
Why: Social networking in an accessible morning format.
Event Link: REAL Café Austin
INTERFACE AUSTIN RETAIL & MIXED-USE 2026
Who: Texas Real Estate Business and InterFace Conference Group. A commercial real estate networking and content event.
What: A conference for retail and mixed-use real estate professionals featuring industry insights and networking opportunities.
When: Monday, February 24, 2026 | 7:30 AM – 11:35 AM
Where: Hyatt Regency Austin
Why: Connect with industry leaders, learn about current market trends, and network with investors and developers in Austin's retail and mixed-use sectors.
Event Link: InterFace Austin Retail & Mixed-Use 2026
ULI MONTHLY BREAKFAST SERIES
Who: Urban Land Institute (ULI) Austin The local chapter of the world’s oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts.
What: A monthly breakfast series featuring high-level industry insights and peer-to-peer networking.
When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Held the 4th Wednesday of every month)
Where: University of Texas Club (2108 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712)
Why: These sessions offer a deep dive into the macro-forces—from infrastructure to capital markets—that dictate how and where Austin grows. It is the premier morning gathering for approximately 150 industry leaders.
Event RSVP: Here
RECA KNOCKOUT NIGHT 2026
Who: Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) The leading advocate for the commercial real estate industry in Central Texas, representing over 1,800 industry professionals.
What: RECA's premier annual fundraising gala featuring member boxing matches, a formal dinner, and an open bar.
When: Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: J.W. Marriott Hotel (110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701)
Why: Known as the most significant networking night on the Austin CRE calendar, it gathers the city's most influential developers and investors for a night of high-stakes entertainment and charity.
Link: RSVP here
AUSTIN REAL ESTATE CLUB EVENT - STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Who: Austin Real Estate Club. Austin’s premier real estate networking and investment organization.
What: The most popular annual event featuring the Austin State of the Union Address. Includes free Texas Real Estate Investing Starter Kit ($297 value).
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 5:30 PM
Where: The Westin Austin at The Domain
Why: Get the latest market insights from top industry leaders and network with other real estate investors, brokers, and professionals.
Event Link: austinrenc.com
TRUST REAL ESTATE & ENERGY CONFERENCE 2026
Who: Texas Bankers Association. A statewide organization representing the banking and financial services industry, including real estate professionals.
What: A two-day conference focused on real estate and energy topics impacting the industry.
When: Thursday-Friday, February 26-27, 2026
Where: 203 W 10th Street, 9th Floor, Austin 78701
Why: Gain industry insights on critical issues affecting real estate and energy sectors in Texas and network with key stakeholders.
Event Link: Texas Bankers Association
ATX REAL ESTATE BUSINESS ALLIANCE
Who: ATX Real Estate Business Alliance. A network of Austin real estate professionals focused on collaboration and growth.
What: A business networking and alliance meeting for real estate professionals.
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Where: Austin – 9606 N Mopac Expy suite 900
Why: Build relationships with other real estate business owners and professionals
Event Link: Eventbrite
If you know any trade business owners who want to join our first accountability + mastermind group, reply to this email.
Know an Austin real estate investor or mentor who should be featured in Prop Lab? Send me a 2-sentence intro and their LinkedIn. Taking names for April
I am so grateful to be in Austin. It’s a truly special city.
The Austin real estate market rewards those who show up prepared, stay connected, and see opportunity where others see obstacles.
The future belongs to those who plan for it and to those who take action on those plans. See what's happening in Austin's real estate scene this week
See you at the events.
Lots of love,
Alice
If you know any trade business owners who want to join our first accountability + mastermind group, reply to this email.