ABOUT US

 

The South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG) is a planning and development district that serves the southeastern region of South Dakota. South Dakota planning and development districts have provided staff support to local governmental entities for more than 35 years. Districts promote regional cooperation and the economical delivery of services.

In 1970, South Dakota Governor Frank Farrar signed an Executive Order creating six Planning and Development Districts in South Dakota. SECOG was created when local officials in the area exercised their authority under the "Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers" (SDCL 1-24).

SECOG serves Clay, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Turner, and Union Counties as well as the municipalities within those counties. Membership in SECOG is voluntary. Board members consist of local elected officials, state legislators, and private citizens.

SECOG relies on a variety of funding sources to sustain its existence including membership dues, state funds, federal funds, and by performing various other services under a contractual basis.

In addition to serving as a planning and development district, SECOG is involved in the metro transportation planning process within the Sioux Falls, South Dakota metropolitan planning study area. Other governmental entities involved include the City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, Lincoln County, the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). SECOG has also been designated as an "Economic Development District" by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In 2002, SECOG created a separate non-profit organization called the South Eastern Development Foundation to provide gap financing to new and expanding businesses and to provide loans to low-income home buyers in partnership with USDA Rural Development’s 502 Home Loan Program.  In 2006, SECOG created another non-profit organization called Dakota BUSINESS Finance, which provides the SBA 504 Program finance land, buildings, and long-term equipment.  Both of these entities, which are staffed by SECOG, were created to expand economic opportunities in South Dakota