In 1999 the voters of Stafford authorized the creation of the Stafford Economic Development Corporation to be funded by a one-half of one percent sales and use tax sanctioned in the election. The SEDC has implemented several projects with the funds from this sales tax. The most notable is the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center, which opened in 2004 and was recently noted by CNNMoney.com as the significant image of
Fort Bend County. Also gathering wide applause are the newly-completed US 90A Highway Enhancement Project as well as a continuation of the project consisting of elaborate landscaping and other substantial enhancements. One other current project is the US 59 Open Space Improvement Project, which will include extensive landscaping and four identification monuments. For more information, visit http://cityofstafford.com/government_departments/city_government/sedc.htm.