Growing Places

Join SMGA's Chris Fields as he disucess the history and happenings in Garretson, SD.

In this episode SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Ryan Budmayr to talk about his new role as CEO of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tune in and listen as the pair discusses working through the issues in Pierre, the economic development landscape, and how to get involved!

Join us for another episode of Growing Place, your home for everything economic development in the Sioux Metro. Visit us at https://siouxmetro.com/. In this episode, Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down to talk the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) implementation and his growth in 2025. 

If you'd like to talk about implementing EOS in your organization reach out to Will via email at william.powell@eosworldwide.com

Will's Hidden Gem: Zebra King Donuts

SMGA CEO and Tyler Tordsen sit down with Bob Fitch of Fitch Media. Join the pair as they discuss SMGA's publication, in partnership with Fitch Media, Growing Places. 

Check out past issues of Growing Places here.

Bob's Hidden Gems: the Taco Vault in Worthing, Waddy's in Hudson, and Sioux Valley Grill.

Call or text Bob Fitch at (712) 551-4123

SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down with Mayor Derek Wenck of Harrisburg. Join the trio as they dig into Mayor Wenck's service to the growing city of Harrisburg, South Dakota.

Join SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen as he and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down with Sam Wagner, Business and Community Development Manager for MidAmerican Energy. Listen in as the trio discuss the Sioux Metro's Growth Summit, safety in the utility industry, and how MidAmerican is helping communities thrive across its service territory.

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).

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).

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 partner, and Emma Camarena details the student perspective of the program.

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 approaching economic development at the state level.

Commissioner Even's Hidden Gem: Lake Vermillion Recreation Area

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 near the Harrisburg Community Gardens.

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's Dakota Pizza

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

SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase are joined by Jay Mitchell, Sioux Empire Market President for First Interstate Bank on this episode of Growing Places. Tune in to hear what makes First Interstate Bank a special place in a city with so many options!

Jay's Hidden Gem: Kuehn Park Golf Course 

Special Mentions: Lenkota GC and The Bridges at Beresford

EOS Implementer Will Powell stops by to chat with SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase. Will brings a wealth of perspective to Growing Places and his clients while helping them to implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in order to advance their businesses and business practices. 

Will puts his teachings into practice in his own business, Podyum, where he and his team work to place athletes across the world. 

Will's Hidden Gems: Palisades State Park and Good Earth State Park

Break down some acronyms with us in this latest episode of Growing Places. SMGA's Tyler Tordsen and Joshua Chase sit down with a very special guest and Hartford native -- Sadie Swier, Director of SD CEO East Women's Business Center.

Sadie's Hidden Gems: Hartford Steak Co. Tavern, El Mezcal, and Dells Theatre.

In this episode of Growing Places, SMGA President and CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Tim Meagher, Chief Operating Officer for Vanguard Hospitality, to talk about providing quality meals to Metro patrons using locally sourced ingredients and working with local producers. Listen-in to hear about Tim's career, his wine endeavors, and how those experiences influence his mindset while providing a top of class dining experience in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Tim's Hidden Gem: Union Social in Harrisburg, SD. 

In this episode of Growing Places Sioux Metro Growth Alliance President and CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down with Eli Seeley, the Mayor of Beresford, South Dakota. 

Mayor Seeley's Hidden Gems: Creme and Sugar, Wake & Bake, Rainy Day Coffee Co., Kava Rose Brewhouse, Klassix, and Bertz and Bertz Beer Garden. 

Visit us here to learn more about Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

In this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Executive Director of Lewis and Clark Regional Water System - Troy Larson! Tune in for a discussion covering Troy's background, Sioux Falls eateries, and SMGA's 2024 Growth Summit on water.
 
Get tickets to the 2024 Growth Summit here!

Troy's Hidden Gem: Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
Recommendations: Sambusa or Beef Tibs (Troy gets both!)

Hidden Gem: "something valuable or special that is not well know as maybe it should be. It can refer to a person, place, or object, p...

On this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits downs with Mayor Casey Voelker of Tea and Mayor Danny Fergen of Lennox.

Mayor Voelker's Hidden Gems- Squealers Smoke Shack in Tea and Sioux Valley Grille in Canton.

Mayor Fergen's Hidden Gems- El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant in Lennox and the Royal Bake Shop in Centerville. 

Hidden Gem: 'something valuable or special that is not well know as maybe it should be. It can refer to a person, place, or object, preferably in the in Sioux Metro."

On this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Mayor Casey Voelker of Tea and Mayor Danny Fergen of Lennox.

Mayor Voelker's Hidden Gems - Squealers Smoke Shack in Tea and Sioux Valley Grille in Canton

Mayor Fergen's Hidden Gems - El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant in Lennox and the Royal Bake Shop in Centerville.

Hidden Gem: "something valuable or special that is not as well known as maybe it should be. It can refer to a person, place, or object, preferrably in the Sioux Metro."

Director of Economic Development of Heartland Energy and SD Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree sits down with SMGA President/CEO Tyler Tordsen to discuss the 2024 General Election. In this episode of Growing Places, get to know more about Senator Crabtree's background, thoughts on economic development while serving in Pierre, and a breakdown on everything you need to know about the seven ballot intitiatives and constitutional amdendments which voters will decide on Tuesday, November 5th.

Use the link below to find your polling place, view your sample ballot, or stop in your county auditor's office today!
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Part II of the newest season of Growing Places where you get to know the other half of the SMGA team in longtime regional advocate Karen Ruhland and Pukwana MSA's very own Bryce Healy! Learn more about their roles and experience working for the Sioux Falls MSA.
 
Karen's Hidden Gem: "Four Wheelin on Ditch Road" north of Sioux Falls.

Bryce's Hidden Gem: "All of them" in the Sioux Metro.