Page 109 - Erath

quality of life is also important. Factors to be considered in an area’s quality of life include high-performing schools, affordable housing, a low crime rate, excellent healthcare, and competitive child-care costs, according to the Stephenville web site (www.stephenvilletexas. org), with housing, education, and safety topping the list. A good quality of life creates happy employees, and happy employees increase the productivity of a business. Thus, new businesses pay attention to a location’s quality of life when making a decision to relocate. The foundation is able to promote the Stephenville area because of the amenities that the area offers.

Today, Stephenville is home to six major manufacturing frms. Three of these businesses are Fortune 500 companies. Together, the frms employ more than 1400 people. Tarleton State is also an important industry with its 9000 students and 715 staff members.

These industries are only a small part of the economic development that Stephenville has seen and will be part of the future development that the city hopes to enjoy. STEDCO is actively seeking members to help promote the area. “We must be proud of what we have and use what we have to showcase this area to others,” emphasizes Cunningham.

Initially, the organization’s funding came from cash donations, land purchased and donated over the years (and later sold), and membership dues. Although dues have not been a signifcant source of income over the years, that could change with the recent changes in the dues structure and an emphasis on growing the membership, according to Bill Corbin, former STEDCO President and current foundation director.

“Anyone or any organization can become a member of STEDCO. Annual dues range from $100 per year for individual memberships to $2500 per year for corporations,” Corbin adds. Stephenville may be known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, but it is quickly becoming known as a modern little city, a city with an eye toward building the future while enhancing the present.  ECL