Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

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Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG; pronounced: ‘sim-cog’) has updated the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the 10-county region which includes Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties. The CEDS is a planning process used to identify economic opportunities and develop a long-term economic development strategy. SMCOG is the region’s federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) and receives funding through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to create, update, and implement the CEDS and aid in local and regional planning activities. The CEDS planning process involves gathering and analyzing economic and demographic data, identifying strengths and weaknesses of the local economy, engaging with stakeholders to identify community needs and goals, and developing strategies to address those needs and achieve the goals. The CEDS plan can serve as a roadmap for local economic development efforts. The EDA requires CEDS to be updated every five years, in order for our entities within our region to be eligible to receive EDA funding. 

The purpose of the CEDS planning process is to foster collaboration among different stakeholders such as businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community members. As part of this process and in accordance with the requirements of the EDD, SMCOG must have a draft plan made accessible for public feedback and evaluation, the public comment phase ended in June of 2023. It is important to note that any comments received will be kept confidential and will not be used to identify the respondents. 

If you have any comments or questions please contact the Program Director Jake Phillips, an Associate Planner with Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) at (417) 836-6973 or by email at JakePhillips@MissouriState.edu.   

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​Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)