CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Leaders out in San Patricio County are mapping out the future of the area with a master growth plan that costs just under $300,000.
San Patricio County Commissioners approved the work contract in their last regularly scheduled meeting.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Tom Yardley said the plan is meant to serve as a guide for large industry partners as San Patricio County sees more interest from industry companies.
"And I think all of the cities in our county, one way or the other, are kind of becoming aware of, 'hey, we need to have a path in the future where we can expand,'" Yardley said
He said the plan will map out areas throughout the county, providing a guide for big industry to set up shop.
"We started talking to our existing industry and one of the things they brought up was, 'hey, on this map we would like to map out areas we'd prefer residents not be built,'" he said.
Yardley said that it all boils down to maximizing space.
Portland realtor Hannah Poe said the industrial growth plan also helps to maintain balance.
"To ensure that major industry, while it can be local, homes and businesses are not directly effected sitting right on top of each other," Poe said.
She said there are many characteristics that make cities in San Patricio County a hot spot for industrial growth.
"Portland is one of the highest peaks between Mexico and Florida, it sits several feet above sea level," Poe said.
Yardley said the growth plan can save both industry and community headaches down the road.
"If someone would have done this type of analysis before all this development came, it could have alleviated some of the problems we've seen in the past," he said.