PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — One of the advantages South Metro Federal Credit Union has in its arsenal is it is situated in one of the country's top 15 fastestgrowing counties.

Much of the growth over the past six years has been tied to affordable, picturesque housing, a thriving downtown business district, a regional medical center, and a nationally-recognized public school district, according to the Metropolitan Council, the chamber that serves the seven county Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. According to the most current U.S. Census figures, Scott County grew from 89,498 in 2000 to 124,092 by July 2006.

For $52 million South Metro, that growth has helped increase its presence in Scott County, which is located 45 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis, said Don Crofut, president/CEO. One of the industry's newest cooperatives, it got its start in 1993 by its original sponsor, the Shakopee-Mdewakanton Indian Reservation. Today's South Metro's members still include ties to the reservation as well as an expanded presence in the county.