Every five years, Southwest Iowa Planning Council must update their comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) plan. The CEDS region includes the counties of Cass, Harrison, Fremont, Montgomery, Page and Shelby. The CEDS document acts as a guide for future economic development within the region by bringing together various groups such as community leaders, school leaders, industry, organizations and citizens for discussions on current economic development and future goals.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) is a Council of Governments based in Atlantic and designed to assist communities within our region of Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Shelby, Page and Pottawattamie counties. Daily activities include public transit through Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA), housing assistance through Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund (SWIHTF), economic development (six counties), transportation planning (four counties), grant writing, long range plan writing and more.