Metropolitan Council staff on Aug. 27 updated members on work to refresh the region’s comprehensive economic development strategy (SEDS), the document that enables local organizations to compete for U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants and technical assistance.

Merritt Smith, senior planner and project team member speaking for project lead Barish, summarized the history: "the council adopted the region's first SEDS in 2020 and referred to it as the regional economic framework, the REF." Smith said the 2025 update draws heavily on Imagine 2050 work and aims to align regional economic priorities with actionable strategies, measurements and resilience planning.

Staff convened a 26-member SEDS committee representing state agencies, counties, cities, chambers, industry, utilities and advocacy organizations. Work to date includes 16 expert interviews and four of five committee meetings; consultants from University of Minnesota Extension are drafting the update. Smith said the current SEDS technically expires in a few days, creating a short period during which entities in the region will not be eligible for EDA funding; staff are moving quickly to shorten the gap while maintaining outreach quality.

Planners told council members the update will include a public hearing and comment period and aim for formal council endorsement in January 2026. Council members discussed coordination with Greater MSP, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis data and regional mayoral networks and encouraged continued outreach to municipalities and historically underrepresented stakeholders. The briefing was informational; staff will return with a draft for committee and council review.