First in a series on the food, fuel and fiber triangle of Texas.
My thoughts in the coming weeks will consider two important triangles in Texas: The “Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle” defined by Amarillo, San Angelo and El Paso, in contrast with the “Texas Triangle” defined by DFW, Houston and San Antonio. Kinder Institute for Urban Research claims the Texas Triangle differs from any other megaregion in the nation. They are correct because it is Texas-driven. Both triangles contribute significantly but differently to our state. This reality impacts WT because it impacts our home.
On January 4, 2025, I published a reflection entitled “The Two-State Challenge.” I made the following observation in it: “Like other populous states, Texas has a metropolitan population of approximately 68% in the Texas Triangle, the fastest-growing region in Texas and the United States. The triangle is also home to five of the 20 largest cities in the nation. DFW, San Antonio and Houston are the three points of the Texas Triangle. A unique contrast to these other large states is Florida, where the 2020 Census accounts for 97% of Florida’s population in metropolitan areas, typically hugging the coast. Texas stands out as the only state with population concentrations away from water, Houston excepted. It is also special in that it leads the nation in the production of food, fuel and fiber.”…