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Hear about all things economic development in the Sioux Falls metro area with the team at Sioux Metro Growth Alliance
87 Episodes
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Joni Ekstrum (Executive Director, SD Biotech Association) leads a conversation about South Dakota's upcoming legislative session with Senator Casey Crabtree (District 8), Representative Kent Roe (District 4), and Representative Brian Mulder (District 11).
CEO of EDPA-SD, Mike Bockorny, leads a conversation about data centers and artificial intelligence with this group of industry experts. Listen into the panel discussion featuring: Kyle Peters (Developer/Owners Rep), Ryan Punt (CEO, SDN Communications), Sam South (Director of Analytics Innovation, Microsoft), and Ben Dold (Presidents & COO, Midco).
Trent Arlint and Scott Stern of COAXIS Energy educate the crowd on the benefits of liquified natural gas, as well as explaining how their product has been useful worldwide.
Listen in on the Renewable Energy Panel at the 2025 Growth Summit! Jesse Fonkert, CEO of SD Trade moderates a conversation on renewable energy with panelists Gary Fish (Board President, SD Renewable Energy Association), Henry Rubin (Director of Regulator & Political Affairs, NextEra Energy), and Peter Schmitt (Project Developer, US Solar).
Eric Meyer, Founder and Executive Director for Generation Atomic, addresses the crowd at the 2025 Growth Summit as the morning keynote. Listen in as Eric explains the advancements in nuclear energy and discusses what is on the horizon nuclear power generation in the United States.
Didn't have a chance to attend the 2025 Growth Summit? Listen in to our Power 101 panel featuring SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen as the panel moderator and panelists: Sam Wagner (Business and Community Development Manager, MidAmerican Energy), Steve Kolbeck (State Director-SD, Xcel Energy), and Mike Jaspers (VP of Business Development, East River Electric).
In this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Lorraine Polak, State Director for USDA-Rural Development. Listen is as the pair discusses improving infrastructure in rural South Dakota, USDA-RD efforts to bolster preparedness in rural communities, and how your community can get connected to resources. Visit USDA-RD on X Lorraine's Hidden Gem: Lewis and Clark Trails Tyler's Hidden Gem: Grey Goose Social Club
Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen invites Eric Pauli, Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy, to the podcast studio. The pair discuss Xcel Energy’s role in supporting economic and community development across South Dakota through reliable power delivery and strategic infrastructure planning and more. Eric's not-so-hidden Gem: Scheels
Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with President for South Dakota's Economic Development Professionals Association (EDPA), Mike Bockorny. Tyler and Mike discuss economic development in South Dakota, traveling the state, and making South Dakota a place of abundant opportunity. Mike's Hidden Gem: Mike loves downtowns of all sizes. Businesses: Hotel on Phillips, the Steel District, JL Beers, and Zandbros.
In this episode of Growing Places we have a full house! SMGA's CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialists Chris Fields and Josh Chase sit down with a trio who are actively involved in building South Dakota's workforce, one person at a time. From Southeast Technical College, Kelli Rogotzke joins the show to tell us how students and industry partners can get involved in the Build Dakota Scholarship. Megan Maker from Neighborhood Dental tells us about her experience as an industry pa...
Listen in as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields are joined by Southeast South Dakota Tourism's Kasi Haberman. Kasi is the Executive Director of SESD Tourism. Join the trio as they discussed their partnership, SESD Tourism's publication, and how tourism impacts the state's economy. Kasi's Hidden Gems: Cherry Rock Farms, Red Truck Alpaca Farm, and Buddies & Co.
Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields as they sit down with Dean Dziedzic of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The trio discuss Dean's history, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation (SFDF), and SFDF's projects. Dean's Hidden Gem: Hartford Steak Co.
On this episode of Growing Places Josh and Chris sit down with Mike Jaspers, Chairman of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance's Executive Board of Directors. Listen in as the crew talks life in rural South Dakota, data centers, and property tax reform. Mike's Hidden Gem: Chasers on west 12th in Sioux Falls *Honorable mention to Chuck's Drive-In in Lennox, SD
On this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down with Mayor Harry Buck of Brandon to talk about public service and serving the community of Brandon. Tune in to hear more about Mayor Buck's experience serving his community.
On this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down with Mr. Bill Even, Commissioner of South Dakota's Governor's Office of Economic Development. Commissioner Even has a long history in South Dakota including a family homestead which started near Humboldt, SD in 1884. His roots power his passion for service and growth here in South Dakota. Tune-in to learn more about Commissioner Even's background and how South Dakota is approachi...
In this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Eco Devo Specialist Chris Fields visit with Amanda Mack, ICMA-CM EMPA who serves as City Administrator for the City of Harrisburg. Amanda is returning to the Sioux Metro region after having served the City of Watertown, Spencer (Iowa), Canton, and Worthing in previous years. Join us as the trio discusses a booming city in the Metro as well as detailing Mrs. Mack's journey to her newfound role. Amanda's Hidden Gem: Walking trail ne...
On this episode of Growing Places SMGA's Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields visits with Chad Kinsley, CEO and Erica Fitzhugh, Communications and Public Relations Manager at Southeastern Electric Cooperative. If you're a member don't forget to mark your calendar for Southeastern Electric's annual meeting on Thursday, June 5 at 5pm. Chad's Hidden Gem: Lee's Meats in Tea, SD and Rural MFG in Freeman, SD Eric's Hidden Gem: The Den in Salem, SD
On this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits downs for another episode of our Mayors Series. Joining him are Mayor Butch Osbey of Crooks as well as Mayor Arden Jones of Hartford. They discuss their history serving their cities as well as a large scale regional wastewater facility slated to serve their towns. Mayor Jones' Hidden Gem: Hartford Main Street Farmers Market Buffalo Ridge Brewing and Hartford Steakhouse Mayor Osbey's Hidden Gem: Critters (Lucky Ladz) - Dakota Rosken...
In this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down the Mayor of Valley Springs, Rick Larsen. Rick is a veteran and career firefighter who is passionate about bringing new people to Valley Springs who he is sure will enjoy it as much as he has. He's standing by to give personal tours of the town he leads and loves! Mayor Larsen's Hidden Gem: The robust trail system in Sioux Falls
On this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down with a very special guest--Jay Buchholz. Jay is the Manger of Public Relations and Key Accounts for Sioux Valley Energy. In addition his work at Sioux Valley Energy, Jay has held many positions on the Sioux Metro Board of Directors, most recently serving as the Past Chairman of the Board. Jay's Hidden Gem: South Dakota State Parks
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