There is one topic that will ‘draw a crowd’ in Blanco County and that is… water. Last Thursday, at the Blanco County Economic Development monthly meeting, Tom Koch, a Blanco County hydrologist and engineer, covered the waterfront. While some of the information Tom shared may be well-known by any Blanco County resident who has been here over one month and since discovered that water just might be a problem in Blanco County, Tom expanded his presentation to include a historical snapshot of pioneers moving westward following that trail of water, Spanish Water Rules which set the rules of ownership of water above and below the ground, a snapshot of how state water agencies were created, and key lawsuits along the way. Understanding the various issues created by water is key in understanding the economic development direction of Blanco County.

Participants in last week’s meeting had very diverse viewpoints and they were expressed. That is good. Moving forward requires balancing the resources we have available with the impact of growth. Not moving forward, though, is not an option. Our recent economic stall has given us some breathing room, but it won’t last forever. Proactive planning accompanied by open dialogue is going to give all interested parties a better solution than waiting for the future to decide for us.

The Blanco County EDC believes the overriding economic development priority for Blanco County is to preserve and enhance our quality of life, and to expand economic opportunity for all Blanco County residents. Go to blancocountyedc.com for the BCEDC strategic plan and meeting information. The BCEDC board invites you to be a part of the plan.