THIS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) IN THE REGION SERVED BY THE BLACK HILLS COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHICH COMPRISES BENNETT, BUTTE, CUSTER, FALL RIVER, HARDING, LAWRENCE, MEADE AND PENNINGTON COUNTIES. THE CEDS PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO BRING TOGETHER THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN THE CREATION OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP TO DIVERSIFY AND STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY.