First District Association of Local Governments
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersWatertown, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What First District Association of Local Governments does
First District Association of Local Governments is a voluntary, non-profit membership association established in 1971 and headquartered in Watertown, South Dakota. It provides professional planning, programming, and technical assistance to 11 member counties (Brookings, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, Moody, and Roberts) and 76 communities across Northeast South Dakota, with formal governance ties to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
The organization's core service lines are Planning & Policy Development, Project Development (financial packaging and loan/grant administration), Geographic Information Systems, and a Revolving Loan Fund for small business lending. Supporting offerings include a co-located Small Business Development Center, Environmental Reviews, Housing Development assistance, Leadership Development training, and Census Data Center services. The technical platform is built on GIS, with First District serving as a regional and state-level repository that creates, maintains, and webhosts spatial data through a public web portal (1stdistrictmapnet.com).
First District derives revenue from three streams: annual membership fees from member counties and communities, state and federal contracts (including EDA funding), and fee-for-service activities such as loan and grant administration, planning services, and environmental reviews. It operates with a small professional staff of approximately 9-10 people covering planning, economic development, and GIS functions. The organization holds no taxing or bonding authority and competes primarily on its longstanding institutional relationships and regional mandate rather than product differentiation.
First District Association of Local Governments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First District Association of Local Governments
- Legal name
- First District Association of Local Governments
- Website
- https://association.1stdistrict.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First District Association of Local Governments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Government Planning Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs (92511)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
Keywords
Where First District Association of Local Governments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Watertown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
First District Association of Local Governments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual memberships from member communities and counties form the primary funding base for First District operations.
- Government Contracts: State and federal contracts provide funding for various programs and services.
- Fees for Service: Fees charged for service activities from public and private sources, including loan and grant administration, planning services, and environmental reviews.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
First District Association of Local Governments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First District Association of Local Governments provides professional planning, project development, geographic information systems (GIS), and financial assistance services to 11 counties and 76 communities in Northeast South Dakota. The organization supports local governments with planning and policy development, loan and grant administration, environmental reviews, and housing development assistance, and also provides small business lending through revolving loan fund programs.
Product overview
First District Association of Local Governments offers a portfolio of government planning and development services rather than a technology product platform. The core offerings include Planning & Policy Development, Project Development, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Revolving Loan Fund Programs. Supporting services include a Small Business Development Center, Community Project Development, Environmental Reviews, Housing Development, Leadership Development, and Census Data Center services. These services work together to support regional development in northeast South Dakota by assisting local governments and small businesses with planning, funding, and technical assistance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Planning & Policy Development Assists communities and counties to prepare for growth by providing tools to aid government and private officials make educated decisions regarding physical, social, economic development, and environmental concerns. Targeted at member local governments in Northeast South Dakota.
- Project Development (Project Funding Assistance) Provides financial packaging, loan and grant application assistance, and loan and grant administration services for projects involving infrastructure and community facilities. Targeted at local governments and community organizations.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Essential digital mapping tool for planners and local governments to access, organize, and create spatial data. First District maintains a variety of datasets, creates data as needed, and serves as a repository of GIS data for the region and the state, webhosting spatial data for communities within the service area.
- Revolving Loan Fund Programs Small business lending programs available for small businesses within the First District to fuel economic growth. Operated as a district-wide revolving loan fund.
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Co-located within First District, the SBDC provides free, confidential consulting services to new and existing businesses including assistance with business planning, market research, financing, and management.
- Community Project Development Technical assistance with coordination of project ideas, community needs, and financial resources in areas such as recreation, health, and historic preservation. Targeted at community organizations and local governments.
- Environmental Reviews Provides environmental assessments, Phase I Environmental, Social and Economic Impact Statement assessments required for federal and state funding. Targeted at local governments and project applicants.
- Housing Development Housing feasibility/market studies and assistance with project planning, housing program information, and application preparation. Targeted at local governments and housing developers.
- Employee Policy, Compensation, and Development Technical assistance for creating or updating employee policy manuals, compensation practices, and employee development programs. Targeted at local government employers.
- Leadership Development Leadership training opportunities for local government and non-profit entities.
- Census Data Center Affiliate census data center providing current information from the U.S. Department of Commerce on census of population, housing, labor, and economics. Targeted at member governments and the public.
Companies that use First District Association of Local Governments
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
First District Association of Local Governments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
First District Association of Local Governments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Flandreau Santee Sioux TribecoreThe Chairman of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe serves on the Governing Body of First District Association, representing tribal interests in regional planning and development discussions.
- Sisseton-Wahpeton OyatecoreThe Chairman of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate serves on the Governing Body of First District Association, representing tribal interests in regional planning and development discussions.
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreThe SBDC is located within First District and provides free, confidential consulting services to new and existing businesses including assistance with business planning, market research, financing, and management.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
First District Association of Local Governments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Association of Development Organizations: National membership association for regional development organizations including planning districts and COGs. Sets peer standards, training, and federal advocacy for organizations like First District.
- National Association of Regional Councils: National umbrella membership organization representing regional councils and COGs nationwide. Comparable in mission and membership-driven model, but operating at the federal advocacy and peer-support level rather than direct service delivery.
Direct peers
- Second District Association of Local Governments: South Dakota's parallel council of governments serving a distinct multi-county region with the same planning, project development, GIS, and revolving loan fund service model. Directly comparable in structure, funding mix, and customer base.
- First Planning & Development District of Minnesota: Regional planning and development organization in western Minnesota providing planning, GIS, loan packaging, and economic development services to counties and cities. Closely mirrors First District's service portfolio and customer base across the border.
- Third District Association of Local Governments: Another South Dakota district association providing planning, GIS, and economic development services to member counties. Operates the same voluntary-membership model with state/federal contracts and fee-for-service revenue.
- South Eastern Council of Governments: South Dakota's COG serving the southeastern counties with analogous regional planning, transportation, and community development services. Same voluntary-membership, government-funded operating model.
- Northeast Council of Governments (North Dakota): Multi-county regional council in northeastern North Dakota offering planning, GIS, and grant administration to local governments. Functionally equivalent to First District's role in NE South Dakota.
Regional players
- South Dakota Municipal League: Membership association for South Dakota cities and towns offering training, policy advocacy, and shared services to municipal governments. Adjacent to First District's municipal service offerings but statewide in scope.
- South Dakota Association of County Officials: State-level association representing South Dakota county governments on policy, training, and intergovernmental coordination. Comparable in member-driven advocacy and training services, though focused on counties statewide rather than a single planning district.
Emerging players
- Small Business Development Center (South Dakota): Statewide SBA-affiliated network providing free small business consulting, of which First District's co-located SBDC is a host site. Overlaps with First District's revolving loan fund and small business support services.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
First District Association of Local Governments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First District Association of Local Governments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
First District Association of Local Governments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First District Association of Local Governments M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First District Association of Local Governments
What does First District Association of Local Governments do?
First District Association of Local Governments provides professional planning, project development, geographic information systems (GIS), and financial assistance services to 11 counties and 76 communities in Northeast South Dakota. The organization supports local governments with planning and policy development, loan and grant administration, environmental reviews, and housing development assistance, and also provides small business lending through revolving loan fund programs.
Is First District Association of Local Governments a public or private company?
First District Association of Local Governments is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was First District Association of Local Governments founded?
First District Association of Local Governments was founded in 1971. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is First District Association of Local Governments based?
First District Association of Local Governments is headquartered in Watertown, United States, in the North America region.
How does First District Association of Local Governments make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Contracts and fees for Service.
Who are First District Association of Local Governments's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Association of Development Organizations and National Association of Regional Councils. Direct peers are Second District Association of Local Governments, First Planning & Development District of Minnesota, Third District Association of Local Governments, South Eastern Council of Governments and Northeast Council of Governments (North Dakota). Regional players are South Dakota Municipal League and South Dakota Association of County Officials. Small Business Development Center (South Dakota) is listed as an emerging player.
Does First District Association of Local Governments have an API?
No public API is recorded for First District Association of Local Governments.
What industry is First District Association of Local Governments in?
First District Association of Local Governments's product category is Regional Government Planning Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAJ, Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs), with a secondary code of BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts). Its NAICS code is 925 and its SIC code is 8600.