Let’s face it – Texas is a large state with a diverse economy and many regional economic focuses.  These range from agriculture to ranching to oil and gas extraction to numerous others.

Along the Texas coast, manufacturing is the predominant economic driver.   These coastal communities have focused heavily on oil and gas processing as their core economic engines since the early 20^th century, when oil was discovered in vast quantities across Texas.  As a result of those discoveries, crude oil refineries began to pop up across the Texas coast to turn the oil into valuable products for transportation, energy, and everyday consumer goods.

Why did coastal communities attract oil refineries in the 1920’s and later, the petrochemical industry?  Access to ports and international trade hubs was one of the main reasons.  These communities were ideally situated near the Gulf of Mexico, allowing them to serve broader national and then international markets.  As a result, you still see a high concentration of these manufacturing facilities along the Texas coast today.  

It is no secret that these industries require large amounts of water, which is used predominantly for heating and cooling in the plants.  When examining the eleven coastal counties where over 90% of these industries have congregated, it is very apparent that the predominant use of water in these counties is for manufacturing.  Shown below is a depiction of that from the Texas Water Development Board.
 

Taking a deeper dive and directly comparing the five major manufacturing areas along the coast, you can see by the second chart that over half of the water used in Nueces and San Patricio County is used by manufacturing facilities.  Compared to other major manufacturing locations on the coast, such as the Houston or Beaumont area, Corpus Christi is not an outlier in its water use.  

A balanced conversation about water should acknowledge the role industry has played in the Coastal Bend’s success. For generations, local industry has brought investment, created high-paying jobs, supported small businesses, strengthened the tax base, and produced the fuels and products that power our economy and daily lives.

---

The question before us is not whether industry uses water, but how we ensure our region has the water resources needed to support continued growth and prosperity. As the Coastal Bend continues to grow, we must take a forward-looking approach to securing reliable water supplies for residents, businesses, and employers alike.

The Inner Harbor Desalination Project represents an important investment in our region’s future. By supporting this project, the City Council can help strengthen long-term water reliability, support economic opportunity, and ensure the Coastal Bend remains competitive for generations to come. The communities that thrive are the ones that plan ahead, and now is the time to do exactly that.

Want to stay updated on tools, resources, and issues impacting the Corpus Christi business community? Explore our Member Directory or contact the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce team at 361-881-1800 today!