Caldwell County's economic history is the storybook Texas. Over the past century, Caldwell County's economy has changed from cattle to cotton to oil. Reliance on one industry has made for peaks and valleys in the economic outlook for the county. The latest of these extreme swings came in the 80's with the fall of the oil industry. Though some of Caldwell's employment still remains in the oil and gas industry, the local economy is primarily engaged in services, local government and agriculture.
Agriculture remains a strong and important industry in Caldwell County. Leading agriculture products include poultry, eggs, feed, sorghum, cattle, and watermelon. However, affected by the population growth of the region, the agriculture industry is facing change in the county. Issues facing the future of agriculture include the decline in working acres, the decline in farm operators, rising operating costs, and the declining size of livestock herds.
Caldwell County's economic situation currently pales to the rest of the region. It registered the second highest unemployment rate in the region, falling merely a tenth of a point below Lee County. Per capita income for the county is the lowest in the region. While it has grown some 21 percent between 1994 and 1998, income distribution is almost $17,471 per person in the county, far below the $29,087 for the Austin MSA, of which Caldwell is a part.
Addressing the economic situation is two-fold. Workforce development and educational entities should strive to improve the skill and education levels in the county so residents can obtain higher paying jobs. Second, efforts should be made to improve the industrial base in the county to provide more opportunities for its residents. Caldwell County is being prepped to become a prime location for business location. The relocation of Austin's airport to the current Austin-Bergstrom site puts the county within a half hour of air freight facilities. In addition, the proposed State Highway 130 bypass will provide a thoroughfare for NAFTA-based traffic. With land being less expensive than Austin, the county would provide a prime and affordable location for industries interested in moving to the Austin area but unwilling to pay the higher costs associated with being within the city. In addition, the county should investigate ways to take advantage of Luling's location along the IH-10 corridor between San Antonio and Houston. Less than an hour away from San Antonio, the Luling area have some transportational advantages for industries with markets in San Antonio or Houston, as well as in Austin about 50 miles to the north.
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