MARION, S.D. (WNAX) – Combining rapid growth in electric service along with future needs is a challenge for Southeastern Electric.

The cooperative, based in Marion, serves a large rural area along with rapidly growing residential developments near Sioux Falls and Harrisburg.

Manager Brad Schardin says they hope to avoid major rate hikes next year.

They have had a couple of larger increases in the past few years.

Schardin says their 2020 budget has to be wrapped up in the next few weeks.

Schardin says they have been bringing on more help during their busy summer time.

Schardin says with the expected growth in service they will have to hire additional workers. Southeastern has just over 19,000 meters in service.