Cuero has grown from the Turkey Capital into a booming oil town. The town of Cuero welcomed the oil & gas industry and has seen several major oil companies open regional offices in the city. Tax revenues have grown more than 30% year over year and for the first time in many years "bonds" aren't the answer to building needs.

Four years ago, Cuero was a community where everybody knew everybody, most people made their money in ranching or farming, and most of the children left as soon as they could.

Then everything changed. Although turkey production had left years ago, the town was still the county seat of one of the top cattle producers in the state and prospered compared with most small Texas towns. 

Even as industries died, residents tried to make the best of things. Every October wild turkeys race each other down Esplanade Street as a part of the annual Turkeyfest, and the day after the festival ends, Cueroites are hard at work putting together elaborate Christmas light displays for the town's famed "Christmas in the Park."

But, as Eagle Ford Shale became a reality, and slick black crude began gurgling up from below, the town had a new role to play - suddenly, Cuero had power.

Yorktown, while a town of only 2,000, has seen a similar rise in business activity. The city owned RV park has been full for two years and more parks are popping up across the area to provide housing for oil workers. New restaurants are opening and local businesses are growing. The small town is developing an oil & gas industry feel.

"It's a good thing for Yorktown," city administrator Robert Mendez said during a recent meeting of the Friends of the Yorktown Library. "Along with the city council and mayor, we are looking at ways to get our city to prosper. It's a positive outlook."

Read the full article on Cuero Here and the article on Yorktown Here.