From the CEO

GROWING THE SIOUX METRO WITH YOU

Partnership. We talk about it quite a bit because, as a regional economic development group, it’s what we are. The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is a partnership between municipalities, counties, economic development organizations (EDOs), and the private sector. Since combining Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations (LCEDA/MCEDA) in 2021, our mission to empower communities to grow has only been enhanced. This new magazine, Growing Places, is just one more way in which we’re innovating our marketing efforts for our members.

The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of 15 communities in Lincoln, Minnehaha, and McCook Counties. We’re fortunate to have earned the trust and membership of the cities of Baltic, Brandon, Canton, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Harrisburg, Hartford, Humboldt, Lennox, Salem, Tea, Valley Springs, and Worthing along with that of Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties. Our partnership includes efforts to help these members with business attraction, talent attraction, community development, marketing, and a wide range of other economic development opportunities.

Our partnership is further extended thanks to investment from the private sector. We’re proud to count every private utility company that serves Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties as members of our organization. Due to the investment from companies serving customers or members with electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications, we’re able to bring a wider range of services to our membership. We’re also proud to count nearly every bank that has a physical presence in our communities as supporters of regional economic development.

Thanks to the vision of the boards of LCEDA/MCEDA, we were able to merge them in 2021 to create the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Our new name and organizational structure is a product of months of brainstorming and conversations with our partners. Following our reorganization, we’ve been able to add staff that are dedicated to serving the needs of communities looking for enhanced benefits. Currently, Baltic, Lennox, Salem, Dell Rapids, Harrisburg and Worthing participate in this program and are served

by SMGA Economic Development Specialists Ryan Solberg, Sheldon Jensen, and Lisa Zens.

Jesse Fonkert

Our mission has also led towards greater innovation in economic development. We launched our first website, www.siouxmetro.com, in 2021 and hosted our first conference, Grow Smarter. In 2023, we plan to revamp our conference and make it even better than before. Thanks to our new Director of Engagement, which we plan to have hired in Q1 of 2023, our events, marketing, and programming will be able to better match the growing needs of South Dakota’s largest metro.

SMGA is dedicated to enhancing the work of our communities. Thanks to strong leadership in the past and in the present, we’re set up to make success possible. With a little bit of trust, patience, and time, economic development goals are attainable and we’re proud to be part of the process across the metro.

We hope you enjoy the first edition of the Growing Places magazine. In these quarterly publications, readers will be able to learn more about the people, places, and businesses that make our region the best place to call home. If you’re interested in content focused on the work in our rural and suburban communities, I invite you to subscribe to our weekly podcast by visiting www.siouxmetro.com/growingplaces-podcast. On our website, you can also register for our weekly e-newsletter, the Sioux Metro Minute. If you have a business or project that should be featured here or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing me at jessef@siouxmetro.com. We are your partners!

In the meantime, have a happy New Year and thanks for your help in growing the Sioux Metro!

Jesse Fonkert President & CEO