Stafford Economic Development Corporation

Created by the voters in 1999, the Stafford Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit entity organized under Section 4B of the State's Development Corporation Act. The SEDC's primary purpose is to promote and fund economic development projects to enhance the City. It is also authorized to issue bonds, has the power of eminent domain and can condemn property, but only with City Council approval. Two of its most notable projects are the Stafford Centre and the U.S. 90A enhancements. It is subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act.

Meetings of the Board of Directors are held at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at City Hall, with occasional special meetings held on other Tuesdays of the month. All meetings are open to the public, televised "Live" from City Council Chambers and broadcast on S-METV, Channel 16 on Comcast Cable. Meetings also are rebroadcast daily for at least a week.

The agendas for the Stafford Economic Development Corporation meetings are posted on this website and on the bulletin board at the entrance to City Hall, at 2610 S. Main Street, by 5 p.m., on the Friday preceding a Tuesday meeting. See SEDC agenda.

An SEDC office is located at City Hall and can be reached by calling 281-261-3903.

Board of Directors

President
Leonard Scarcella

Vice President
Mike Sachs

Secretary
Cheryl Olivier

Treasurer
Ken Mathew

Hector Acevedo
Gwen Goodwin
Joe Rome

SEDC History

Prior to establishing the economic development corporation, through which the levy of a half-cent economic development sales tax is permitted, business development was pursued through the Stafford Economic Development Commission. The Commission helped to successfully recruit nationally and internationally renowned businesses to Stafford and to implement the Freeport tax exemption and a tax abatement program.

In January 1999, the citizens of Stafford voted overwhelmingly to approve an additional ½% sales tax for the purpose of economic development expansion in the City. The new tax went into effect July 1, 1999. The following month, City Council appointed seven individuals to serve as the Corporation's Board of Directors. Board Members serve two-year staggered terms beginning in September of the initial year and ending in August of the second year.