As you say; it is a "what if?"
One of the inhibiters to growth is the long-distance from major population centers (LA, SF), which would have (and still do) caused travel problems. There would probably have been a continuation of fruit and vegetable farms for local, fresh produce, but probably not much would have been shipped out of the area.
In the early 1950's, Bishop airport (a former WWII bomber training base) was being considered as a possible site for the Air Force Academy. Most locals were greatly relived when that ideas was dropped. Bishop might have looked like Colorado Springs, otherwise!
We like our small town environment and want to keep it that way. It's one of the last good places in this country. So, as many locals like to say, "thanks for visiting...now go home!" LOL.
