MARION, S.D. (WNAX) – A rural electric cooperative that is rubbing up against Sioux Falls and Harrisburg is showing rapid growth.

Southeastern Electric, based in Marion, grew its customer base about 25 percent in the last five years, to nearly 19,000 meters.

Manager Brad Schardin says it has been a wide variety of services.

Schardin says there have been some growing pains.

Schardin says they have been trying to grow with budget constraints.

Schardin says they will need to add more people over the next few years, along with replacing those that are retiring.