As Texas’ industry and economy grow, so too do its infrastructure needs. This week, industry leaders are convening to discuss the state’s pressing transportation, energy, water, and digital infrastructure issues.

Infraday Texas is returning to Austin on Wednesday, where industry leaders, lawmakers and engineers will address how Texas’ unprecedented growth is impacting the state’s infrastructure systems and explore sustainable solutions to these challenges.

Texas recently received a “C” grade on its 2025 infrastructure report card from the nation’s premier society of civil engineers. The report rated Texas’ overall infrastructure as better than the national average but urged lawmakers to increase investment in water, wastewater and transit systems.

More: Texas infrastructure fares better than U.S. average but needs major investment: report

The increasing need for investment in infrastructure across the state comes as Texas experiences exponential population growth and rising resource demands, particularly for water and energy.

According to the 2022 State Water Plan, Texas’ population is expected to increase by more than 22 million people by 2070, raising water demand by 9%. However, water supply is projected to drop by 18% over the same period. Texas lawmakers are addressing the state’s looming water crisis this session, with bills aiming to invest billions of dollars into upgrading and repairing aging infrastructure or developing entirely new water projects.

Along with increased population, businesses — particularly technology and artificial intelligence companies — have turned to Texas to build large data centers that require massive amounts of energy and water to operate.

This, coupled with necessary transportation needs and digital protection, has created an urgent need for investment in the state’s infrastructure industry.

“Texas is at a pivotal moment where bold investments, smart planning and technological innovation must come together to modernize our infrastructure,” Infraday CEO Ken Bauco said.

Infraday will feature over 75 speakers to discuss leveraging AI to solve infrastructure problems, climate resilient policies and planning, water conservation and grid reliability from Texas municipal leaders, state lawmakers and industry experts including from CapMetro, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin Energy and Accenture.

“We provide a platform for public sector agencies to talk about new technologies, new capital programs, new initiatives and what’s coming down the pipeline in terms of growth and new projects that their cities are involved with,” Bauco told the American-Statesman.

Infraday Texas is all day Wednesday at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin. Those who are interested can register for the event online.

The Business Development Manager is responsible for working with distributors within their geographical locale to ensure they have enough products for our retail, convenience, and grocery business customers. In addition to the Field Sales Rep (FSR) duties, the key deliverable is to work with the distributors” sales teams and develop relationships with route sales reps to keep the brand top of mind to our customers.

About the Company

Since launching in 2014, UPTIME Energy Inc. has continued its rapid growth earning a spot on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for four consecutive years. Our premium, better-for-you energy drinks drive our growth. With ten fantastic flavors, a distinctive aluminum bottle, and a thoughtful, focused formula, UPTIME is the energy drink for all of us striving to do and achieve more every day.

At UPTIME Energy, a great product and a growing company are only as strong as the team behind it. We value those who take the initiative, desire to be part of building a brand and embrace a fast-paced environment. This opportunity is for the highly motivated and entrepreneurial-minded individual who enjoys a challenge and seeks significant growth opportunities. Are you ready to be part of the Uptime success story? If so, we look forward to hearing from you.

Primary Duties and Accountabilities:

• Engage with the distributor team to foster a partnership mentality with UPTIME.
• Ensure the distributor has an adequate supply of POS materials for the marketplace.
• Become an expert on the energy drink category in customer stores to optimize product (UPTIME) presence to drive revenue, which includes monitoring market conditions, product innovations, and competitors’ products, prices, and sales.
• Contact regular and prospective customers to introduce new products, gain new placements, expand distribution points within the store, and solicit orders.
• Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and incremental display opportunities.
• Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.

Qualifications and Job Requirements

• 3-4 years of sales experience preferred in the food and beverage industry.
• A high-school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A college or university accreditation in business administration, marketing, economics, or a related discipline will be considered an asset.
• Excellent time management skills
• Highly motivated self-starter
• Good attention to detail and competent written reporting skills.
• Understanding of retail business operations – pricing, margins, shelf space,
• Ability to make quick decisions, operate in an autonomous work environment and take the initiative.
• Strong business acumen, relationship management skills, and customer focus.
• Must lift and move product cases and place POS (up to 70 lbs).
• Must possess a dependable vehicle, valid driver’s license, proof of state car registration and insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to travel 50% of working time or more.

Job Training

• Plenty of on-the-job training will be provided to succeed at UPTIME!

Thursday is the deadline to register to vote in Texas for the May 3 election. May elections are a time for local government bodies, like cities and school districts, to put issues on the ballot.

In the Austin area, some voters will decide on city council positions, school board races, money for roads and more.

You can find sample ballots on your county’s election website. Here are a few:

You can check to see if you’re registered to vote here. If you’re not, here’s what you need to know.

What do I need to do to vote?

You must be registered by Thursday in the county you live in to vote in the May 3 election.

To be eligible to register, you must:

• be a U.S. citizen
• be a resident of the county you are applying to vote in
• be at least 18 years old by Election Day
• not have been declared mentally incapacitated by a court
• not be a convicted felon (though you may be eligible if you were pardoned or completed your sentence, probation and parole)

In Texas, you cannot register to vote online — unless you are renewing, replacing or updating your Texas driver’s license or ID on the Department of Public Safety website.

You can submit a voter registration application by mail. Just fill out this form, print, sign and mail it to your county elections office. Your application must be postmarked by Thursday for the May 3 election.

You can also visit your county voter registrar or elections office to submit your application in person.

Find some local offices here:

Do I need to renew my voter registration?

If you’ve changed your name or moved within Texas — especially if you’ve moved to a different county — you can update your voter registration information online. You can also submit an updated physical application before the deadline.

What kind of ID will I need to register or vote?

To register to vote, you can use your Texas driver’s license or Texas personal ID number issued by DPS. If you don’t have either of those, you can use the last four digits of your Social Security number.

When you head to the polls, you will need to present one of these valid forms of photo ID:

• Texas driver’s license (DPS issued)
• Texas election identification certificate (DPS issued)
• Texas personal ID card (DPS issued)
• Texas handgun license (DPS issued)
• U.S. military photo ID
• U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
• U.S. passport (book or card)

You can still use your ID to vote if it expired within the last four years. If you are 70 or older, you can use it regardless of when it expired.

If you couldn’t get one of the above forms of ID, you can use a supporting form of identification like a bank statement or utility bill. But you must sign a document saying you had a reasonable impediment to getting a valid photo ID — like lack of transportation, work schedule, illness or family responsibilities.

Important dates

• April 3 — Deadline to register to vote or update your address
• April 22 — Early voting begins
• April 22 — Deadline to apply for a ballot by mail
• April 29 — Early voting ends
• May 3 — Election Day