Jan. 20, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

As the Sioux Falls metro area expands, so does the number of ways you or your business can connect with our growing region.

“It’s exciting to see not just our communities expanding but the overall number of people who want to be part of what’s happening around us,” said Tyler Tordsen, president and CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance exists to empower communities throughout the Sioux Falls region to grow and prosper, offering a range of economic development services and assistance with marketing, public policy and community development.

“Throughout the year, we offer many ways to engage with our area communities, along with ongoing resources they can use to support their needs,” Tordsen said. “This is a great time to learn a little more about how you can become involved.”

Here are three ways to consider supporting the metro area this year.

Nominate an individual or business that’s making an impact

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance annually honors the people, businesses and communities helping advance the broader metro area with three awards. They will be presented at the organization’s annual meeting and awards banquet in March.

Categories are:

• Community innovation: “To be awarded to an SMGA member community that has demonstrated successful new ideas in community development or achieved a community goal through partnership and community effort.”
• Regional economic development champion: “To be awarded to an individual living or working in McCook, Minnehaha, Lincoln or Turner County who has shown active support for community development through recent or cumulative past service to economic development and community enhancement.”
• Business partner of the year: “To be awarded to a company, enterprise or entrepreneur in the greater Sioux Falls MSA that has shown outstanding community development support or regional economic development partnership activity during the past year.”

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 6.

To nominate, click here.

Consider a corporate partnership

If your organization aligns with SMGA’s mission of supporting regional growth, consider becoming a corporate partner. Your business will enjoy unique resources and visibility while fostering connections throughout the region.

Current corporate partners include utilities, financial institutions, engineering firms, contractors and other professional service providers.

In return, your support allows SMGA to advocate for smart growth policies, host education and networking events, serve as a direct resource for communities and tell the story of the booming metro area.

“We were excited to gain a number of new corporate partners in 2025 and look forward to welcoming more this year,” Tordsen said. “If your business recognizes the value in our growing region but isn’t sure how to best connect with it, this is an ideal place to start.”

To learn more, click here or email tylert@siouxmetro.com.

Find a way to connect with our nation’s big birthday

On July 4, 2026, the nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The America250 initiative is striving for “350 by 250” — engaging all 350 million Americans by the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“This is a great opportunity to connect your community’s favorite annual event to this bigger celebration or create a new event to engage your community and bring in visitors,” Tordsen said.

“We’ll be promoting all America250 events with the Sioux Metro as we learn about them and encourage communities and organizations to start planning now.”

For complete resources, visit here.

New corporate partnerships offer way to connect with growing metro area