On Jan. 3, Moody County commissioners met with Todd Kays, executive director of the First Planning District, to discuss the improvements and developments in the county in 2016.

First Planning District is a voluntary association of local governments that work cooperatively to promote community development in the state. The organization serves 11 counties and 75 communities in northeastern South Dakota.

In 2016, First District helped Moody County with E-911 database management, assisted in developing the South Dakota Department of Transportation Bridge and Highway Plan, provided a personnel wage analysis and prepared a SDDOT agribusiness grant application to serve Dakota Layers.

The city of Colman received assistance from the organization for a number of projects. First District prepared, submitted and is currently administering South Dakota Department of Energy and Natural Resources funding from the State Revolving Fund for water and sewer projects.

This includes the construction of Colman’s new water tower, which went up in July, as well as water distribution improvements.

For these projects, Colman received a consolidated grant of $700,000 and a $500,000 State Revolving Fund loan.

First District also prepared and submitted a Hazard Mitigation Grant for a power line burial project in Colman and received $125,500.

In Flandreau, the organization applied for and administered USDA grant and loans for the water and sewer project. The city received a $618,000 grant and loan funding of $6.7 million.

Colman, Egan, Flandreau and Trent are all able to contact First District for planning and zoning administration assistance.

Other services provided include community project development, housing development, geographic information systems and direct loans for small businesses.