Historically, Blanco County has been home to large ranches of sheep and cattle; though still the predominant industry, growth in the county and loss of agriculture has divided large ranches into nonworking farms and home sites. Most of the county is best suited for rangeland and wildlife habitat because the terrain is generally hilly to mountainous, and the soils generally dark, stony, clay with rock. Mineral resources include limestone, lead, oil, gas, industrial sand, and dolomite.
Blanco County is the least populated county in the region with 8,511 residents. Approximately equidistant from Austin and San Antonio, Blanco County provides an option for those who work in the big city to have a more rustic life in the country. Despite its small population, sustainable development in the county is critical. Though water issues are a concern throughout Texas and the CAHFC region, water supply in Blanco is critical to future development. Blanco is located over the Trinity aquifer, not in a recharge zone and is limited on its surface water supply from the Blanco River, especially during drought.
Additionally, growth from San Antonio into neighboring Comal County is stressing the underground water supply. Planning in Blanco must consider growing low water use industries, such as logistics and communications, and low-density development.
A growth industry in Blanco's economy is tourism. The county boasts the childhood home of President Lyndon B. Johnson and two state parks, Blanco State Park and Pedernales Falls State Park. The two population centers, Johnson City and Blanco, provides unending small town charm, bed and breakfasts, antique and curio shops. Blanco houses the old Blanco County Courthouse, one of the remaining 19th century courthouses, which is illuminated during the winter holiday season.
Blanco County should look at how to take advantage of its main thoroughfare, U.S. Highway 281. The highway, which runs from the Texas-Mexico border to Wichita Falls, provides an option to IH-35 in regards to NAFTA-related traffic. Should the county be interested in further developing its economic base, it should consider looking into industries that can take advantage of this trade route.
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