In the 1980s, Cranford founded the state's first special improvement district, which allows for the downtown district to have a special tax on building and business owners for downtown development and marketing which is managed by the Cranford Downtown Management Corporation. The DMC has used its budget for development projects, events, to recruit new businesses and to market shopping in Cranford. Various downtown events are administered by the DMC, including the Scarecrow Stroll, Lego Night, sidewalk sales, and more. The DMC is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of business owners, property owners, and residents, members of which are appointed by the Township Committee.