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of development are addressed by the foundation. STEDCO exists to create an economic environment that is attractive and sustainable. The foundation’s board supports “the expansion and retention of existing businesses within the region” as well as attracts new businesses to the area that can provide job opportunities and services for the community, according to STEDCO’s website (www.stephenvilletexas. us).

Recently, STEDCO entered into an agreement with the Cunningham Group “to assist with developing priorities, identifying opportunities, and implementing action plans,” states Bethe Cunningham, STEDCO’s newly appointed CEO.

Since 1995, the foundation has given out more than $350,000 in “cash grants along with lending advice, expertise, and resources for industry expansion and job creation,” Cunningham explains.

STEDCO is a non-proft organization led by a group of board members, who volunteer their services. The board members include businessmen from the area as well as representatives from the City of Stephenville and the Chamber of Commerce. Current board members include Ed Horton (President), Ron Mullins (Vice President), John Terrill (Secretary), Ron Wulf (Treasurer), Bill Corbin (Ex-Offcio), July Danley (Chamber Representative), Mark

Kaiser (City Representative), Dwain Bruner, Jim Chambers, Jim Benham, Keith Brown, Mike Coggins, Wendell Hollingsworth, Ron Pack, John Moore, Joe Thompson, and Bethe Cunningham (CEO).

STEDCO sees the potential in the economic growth of Stephenville, especially in terms of the available workforce. Plentiful labor is available through students from Tarleton State as well as Stephenville’s citizens. A partnership between Tarleton State and Ranger College as well as area high schools ensures that the available workforce is a trained workforce, providing training programs in energy, healthcare, and consumer staples.

STEDCO also assists in turning some of the area’s vacant warehouses and other structures into viable locations to house new businesses. Renovating an existing structure is much cheaper than building new from the ground up, so seeking to re-use empty buildings is benefcial to all concerned

“STEDCO is tasked with not only recruiting industry to the Stephenville area, but also with coming up with solutions for companies once they arrive. By knowing what our members have to offer, STEDCO becomes a partner and works to fnd the right tenants for the available space,” states Ed Horton, STEDCO President.

Although location is an important criterion in attracting outside businesses to the Stephenville area, the city’s

LEFT Each spring, STEDCO and The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce jointly host an Industry Appreciation Social at Ed Horton’s Box H Gamebird Ranch just outside of Stephenville. The event allows industry representatives, community leaders and government offcials to network in a casual setting while enjoying a delicious steak dinner. OPPOSITE PAGE (Top) Bill Corbin (far right), a long time STEDCO supporter, board member and past president, is presented an award for his years of dedication to the organization by STEDCO President Ed Horton and CEO Bethe Cunningham at the Annual Membership Meeting held last September at City Hall in Stephenville. (Bottom) STEDCO offcials and members of the Leadership Stephenville class look on as Fibergrate representatives demonstrate the strength and durability of their products by dropping a 350 pound motor on a section of fber grating. Fibergrate Composite Structures Inc. is a global manufacturer of fberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) products for industrial and commercial use and is just one of many local industries that has benefted from STEDCO’s assistance over the year.