In early 2025, CSPDC engaged the Southeastern Executive Research Institute (SERDI) to conduct an assessment of the agency. Through surveys and in-person focus groups, SERDI staff engaged with the Commission, local government managers, planners, and CSPDC staff to understand what’s working well, and how the agency can best serve its member localities.

SERDI executive director Jim Youngquist will present draft recommendations from the assessment to the Commission at the October 20^th meeting, and then finalize the report. The surveys and focus group discussions were generally positive about the value that the CSPDC provides to localities and the ways in which we strengthen the region. It also recognized the need to expand awareness and understanding of our mission to all local elected officials and explore opportunities to provide new services to our localities such as enterprise GIS data management and mapping and water resources and stormwater management expertise.