This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Simplified: Sioux Metro Growth Alliance this month recognized individuals, organizations and communities who are facilitating economic development in the region. The organization also revealed a new program coming this year to support leadership across the metro.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Metro Growth Alliance's mission is to empower communities to grow, and their work supports much of southeast South Dakota with economic development education, community development resources and public policy.
  • Each year, SMGA hosts an annual meeting to recognize wins from the last year and celebrate development efforts across the community.
    • This year's event – which saw more than 150 attendees – also brought the announcement of a new "Leadership Sioux Metro." Watch for more details on that in the coming months.
  • SMGA also recognized three key awards: Community of the Year, which went to the City of Dell Rapids; Business Partner of the Year, which went to Sioux Valley Energy; and Regional Economic Development Champion, which this year recognized Tea City Administrator Justin Weiland.
“We’re fortunate to live in a state and region where the communities, the businesses, and the people are looking out for each other and working on growing the region with future generations in mind,” SMGA President and CEO Tyler Tordsen said. “All of us at SMGA continue to be proud of our members, partners, and volunteers who make the work we do special and our collective impact on the region meaningful.”

Tell me more about the winners

The Community of the Year award this year recognizes Dell Rapids for the city's work developing its community through partnerships and community effort.

“Leadership is everything and Dell Rapids has been blessed to have a long line of leaders there over the years,” said Chris Ekstrum of First National Bank in Sioux Falls in their award video. “They’ve been able to maintain growth and development while staying true to their small-town charm and who they are.”

Learn more in their award video here:

The Business Partner of the Year award recognizes a business in the region supporting regional economic development partnerships, and Sioux Valley Energy does that with the help of its community-driven values and member focus.

“One thing that Sioux Valley does really well is to follow through,” said SMGA Board Chair Mike Jaspers. “They don’t just show up and check the box. They’re committed to their members and the greater region.”

Learn more about Sioux Valley Energy here:

Tea City Administrator Justin Weiland was recognized with the Regional Economic Development Champion Award for his two decades of experience in managing city government. Before moving to his current role in Tea, Weiland also spent 13 years supporting growth in Dell Rapids.

"Justin is the epitome of a regional champion," Tordsen said. "He is a leader behind the scenes making it all happen the right way.”

Learn more about Weiland here: