Page 107 - Erath

Weather Service. In 1993, under the leadership of Bill Nix, the Stephenville Economic Development Foundation, Inc., better known as STEDCO, was formed. According to Bill Corbin, foundation board member, this new foundation grew out of the Stephenville Industrial Foundation and the Stephenville Industrial Foundation, Inc. STEDCO found itself in an ideal position to assist area industries with land, loans, grants and lease purchase arrangements, and has even provided management consulting at times.

STEDCO’s mission is to “promote and improve business and economic conditions in the City of Stephenville as well as Erath County and the surrounding trade territory by providing innovative leadership and economic aid to existing and potential industries.” This mission has been carried out in the projects that the foundation has supported over the years from the National Weather Service to Outlaw Conversions to West Manufacturing as well as a host of other businesses and groups. Economic development usually exists in three forms: business attraction; business retention and expansion; and business creation. All three forms

When folks think about Stephenville, Texas, they usually picture cowboys, rodeos, and barbecue. Although those pictures are accurate – to a degree – Stephenville is also becoming known as an entrepreneurial town, a small city where economic development is actively pursued.

Over ffty years ago, several Stephenville citizens saw the need to organize and promote Stephenville’s economic growth. They not only envisioned plans for the future, but they also saw plans to bolster the present economy. At the forefront of the foundation’s leadership were infuential community members like Dr. J.C. Terrell, Sr., Dr. Vance Terrell, Brad Thompson, and Rufus Higgs. Its frst project was in support of the local poultry industry; the foundation provided a building to house a testing lab for pullorum, which is a deadly form of salmonella that strikes poultry.

From that plan arose the Stephenville Industrial Foundation led by Byron Singleton, Brad Thompson, Mickey Maguire, Roy Stafford, and Dr. Jim Whitacre. With $25,000 in initial funding, the foundation expanded its reach and included new projects with entities such as the National

OPPOSITE PAGE (Top) STEDCO Board President Ed Horton presents Clinton Anderson of Downunder Horsemanship with a $25,000 check from the foundation, the second installment of a $50,000 grant, in support of Anderson moving his operation to Stephenville and creating over 40 jobs. (Bottom) STEDCO board members, Chamber offcials and State Representative Sid Miller join Clinton Anderson in cutting the ribbon on his new facility. Downunder Horsemanship held a Grand Opening in September of 2008 to allow community members to tour their new offce, call center, manufacturing and warehouse space.