Feb. 20, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Sometimes, it takes a first believer to create a broader ripple effect.

For the city of Colton, that took the form of Sioux Valley Energy, which made the inaugural investment in the community’s new economic development group. Its $15,000 contribution will make a big difference as the community begins to develop land for a development that includes 70 acres and eventually 49 homes.

“Sioux Valley members should be really proud they are part of an electric co-op that makes investments into communities like this,” Mayor Trevor Bunde said.

The contribution came from the cooperative’s REVIVE 2030 program, which was designed to partner with local communities to assist with growth and development.

“Successful economic development requires strong partnerships,” said Jesse Fonkert, president and CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. “Sioux Valley Energy has demonstrated this time after time with the support they offer their members and communities. We’re excited to support the work of the Colton Economic Development Group and know this gift will be well utilized.”

While financial investments are helpful, the cooperative is focused on providing “boots on the ground,” Sioux Valley Energy CEO Tim McCarthy added, including partnerships with organizations such as Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“Colton is a vibrant community that is focused on the future, and what they have accomplished is impressive,” McCarthy said. “We are hopeful that Sioux Valley Energy’s REVIVE program, along with assistance from Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, will help other communities grow and prosper as well. There is so much more to economic development than just financial investment — it takes time, dedication and commitment, and we are ready to be a strategic partner to help them reach their goals.”

Sioux Valley Energy, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned-utility, providing reliable electric service at cost-based rates to over 28,000 homes, farms, businesses and industries in a seven-county area of east-central South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. The cooperative shared more about its REVIVE 2030 program and plans for the future.

Tell us a little more about the REVIVE 2030 program. What motivated it, and how does it work?

One of Sioux Valley Energy’s guiding principles is community service — it’s the foundation of what many of the cooperative’s strategic objectives are built from. Strong communities — both economically and socially — improve the lives of those who live in and around those areas. The cooperative’s commitment to community is the main driver for REVIVE 2030.

Sioux Valley Energy has a long history of investing in communities throughout its service territory, but REVIVE 2030 was initiated after a 2019 strategic planning session with the Sioux Valley Energy board of directors. At that session, the board made the decision to put additional emphasis on community and economic development, and asked the cooperative’s leadership team to develop programming to support that strategic objective. Work began on community and economic development programming shortly thereafter; however, that was put on hold during the pandemic.

Once the pandemic began to transition into an endemic, two community input sessions were held at the end of 2021, beginning of 2022 in Colton, South Dakota, and Hardwick, Minnesota. A third party facilitated those sessions, asking leaders and public officials from surrounding communities what — if any — help they needed in community and economic development. The feedback was clear — communities needed “boots on the ground” assistance. Based on that feedback, Sioux Valley Energy made the decision to hire a dedicated economic development professional. After a search to fill that role, Brandon Lane joined the cooperative in May 2022. He joined Jay Buchholz, who was already active in community relations throughout the cooperative’s service territory. Lane and Buchholz now comprise Sioux Valley Energy’s community and economic development team. They work collaboratively with area organizations like Sioux Metro Growth Alliance to advance the goals of each community. REVIVE 2030 is designed to meet communities where they are and where they want to be because the definition of growth, development and sustainability is unique to each community.

What stood out about Colton and its plans that warranted your support?

Colton has an incredibly motivated group of community leaders who are working to maintain the town’s vitality and grow its economic base. Colton is truly a community partner of Sioux Valley Energy and SMGA. The community’s development plan for housing is forward-thinking and fills a significant need for the area. This development is good for our members, which is why it’s so important that Sioux Valley Energy steps up to help.

What are some other examples of efforts that REVIVE 2030 has supported or would like to support?

Most recently, the city of Hills, Minnesota, received a total of $10,000 in funding from Sioux Valley Energy to help purchase playground equipment for a city-owned facility that will house up to three child care locations.

The funding, presented to the city of Hills at the end of December, comes from the cooperative’s Operation Round Up program, which provides grants for worthy causes to communities and nonprofits from funds collected when members “round up” their electric bills. A matching donation was provided by Sioux Valley Energy’s REVIVE 2030.

Beyond funding, how is Sioux Valley Energy directly becoming involved with the communities of the Sioux Falls metro area?

Sioux Valley Energy’s Jay Buchholz and Brandon Lane are working directly with community leaders throughout the cooperative’s entire service territory. Many smaller communities are not able to employ a full-time economic development professional, which is where Sioux Valley Energy and Sioux Metro Growth Alliance can help, working in partnership with change-makers and leaders. As the REVIVE 2030 program expands, available programming may include the following, or Sioux Valley Energy may work with partner organizations to offer:

• Grant writing assistance: Sioux Valley Energy will work with communities on identifying applicable grants, gathering information for the application process and may help a community complete grant applications.
• Community planning assistance: Communities needing assistance in planning community projects, exploring funding for those projects and carrying out planning tasks can request assistance from Sioux Valley Energy.
• Strategic planning services: Sioux Valley Energy may assist communities and associated economic development organizations with strategic planning for their boards, committees, leaders, etc.
• Education and networking opportunities: Sioux Valley Energy may provide education/training along with networking opportunities for communities and their citizens as it pertains to economic/community development.
• Community marketing assistance: Sioux Valley Energy can provide limited marketing design and advertising development to a community to promote the area or an event.
• Event planning assistance: Communities needing assistance in planning activities that will benefit the community and its citizens such as summer festivals, downtown community events, parades, etc., can request limited planning assistance from Sioux Valley Energy.

As a utility provider, how is Sioux Valley Energy itself investing in service to Sioux Falls metro communities, and how do you plan to continue doing so?

Economic development investment will continue not only through REVIVE 2030 but through the cooperative’s support of area community organizations. Those contributions, along with the significant electric infrastructure investments Sioux Valley Energy and its power supplier are making in the Sioux Falls area, should help communities be prepared for strong economic growth. Over the next five years, Sioux Valley Energy and East River Electric –SVE’s power supplier — will be investing more than $60 million in electrical infrastructure in the Sioux Falls area.

If Sioux Falls metro communities or organization would like to learn more about REVIVE 2030, what can they do?

Contact Brandon Lane or Jay Buchholz at 800-234-1960 or email at [email protected] or [email protected].