In 1985 Cranford became the first community in New Jersey to create a Special Improvement District (SID). The Office of Downtown Business & Economic Development is responsible for fostering economic revitalization and investments, business development and marketing for the Special Improvement District (SID), an area comprised of 224 properties and more than 300 businesses. These include stores, restaurants, personal services, professional offices and almost 1,000 apartments/ condo units in the SID and immediate surrounding area.