Council updates members on SEDS (comprehensive economic development strategy) update and timeline to Jan. 2026 adoption

Metropolitan Council staff presented an update on the 2025 refresh of the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (SEDS) during the council meeting on Aug. 27.

Merritt Smith, senior planner, said the SEDS refresh builds on the council's 2020 Regional Economic Framework and Imagine 2050 work and is required for eligibility for certain U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant programs. "A SEDS is a planning document designed to inform a region's economic development efforts. The U.S. Economic Development Administration requires these SEDS plans for entities within a region to be able to qualify for EDA grants and technical assistance," Smith said.

Why it matters: An updated SEDS document lets the region continue to pursue EDA grants and technical assistance and provides a framework for aligning regional economic development priorities across public, private and nonprofit stakeholders.

Key points from the staff presentation and discussion:

- Scope and background: The council adopted the first regional SEDS (also called the Regional Economic Framework) in 2020. The 2025 update will refresh the regional economy overview, strategies and an assessment of resilience and implementation pathways.

- Committee and engagement: A SEDS committee of 26 members representing counties, cities, utilities, chambers, advocacy organizations and other stakeholders has been convened. Staff described interviews with subject-matter experts, committee working groups and planned public hearing and comment periods.

- Timeline and EDA eligibility: Consultants from University of Minnesota Extension began work in March 2025; staff reported four of five committee meetings completed and 16 expert interviews finished. Staff aim to present a committee-reviewed draft to the council in October, open a public comment period in November and bring a final SEDS for council endorsement in January 2026. Staff warned there will be a gap between the expiration of the current SEDS and adoption of the new document and said they are trying to keep that gap short to preserve EDA eligibility for the region.

Council members asked about the quality of county participation, collaboration with Greater MSP and other regional partners, and examples of EDA-funded projects the SEDS helped make possible. Staff cited prior grants tied to the 2020 SEDS and examples such as the Medical Alley initiative and energy transition grants for the St. Croix/Excel power plant transition.

What comes next: staff will continue committee meetings, incorporate expert interview findings, host a public hearing and comment period and return with a revised draft for committee and council review ahead of the January 2026 adoption target.