Dec. 1, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

There’s still time to sign up for a day filled with insight on energy and economic development — including opportunities with data centers, nuclear energy and renewables.

The annual Sioux Metro Growth Alliance Growth Summit will center around the topic of “Energizing Tomorrow,” providing a deep dive filled with industry expertise to those connected with Sioux Falls-area communities.

“We’re thrilled with the caliber of speakers who will be featured at this year’s Growth Summit,” said Tyler Tordsen, president and CEO of SMGA.

“It’s coming up quickly, and there are just a few spots left to secure your registration.”

This year’s event will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Sanford Event Barn, 2510 E. 54th St. N. The format alternates between keynote presentations and moderated panels, so attendees will hear from all speakers. To learn more and reserve your seat, click here.

“Energy isn’t a side issue anymore — it’s the backbone of modern economic development,” said Michael Bockorny, CEO of the Economic Development Professionals Association.

“Every project we chase, from data centers to manufacturers to value-added ag, starts with one question: Can you guarantee reliable, affordable power for the next 30 years? Metro communities can’t sit this out.”

He will moderate a panel on data centers and AI.

“In the last two years, data centers and AI have moved from ‘emerging topics’ to the center of economic development strategy,” Bockorny said.

“In the Sioux Metro, we’re already seeing hyperscale data-center proposals, and they’re tied directly to AI workloads.”

The upside is real, he added.

“It’s years of construction work, a stronger tax base if we structure incentives carefully, world-class digital infrastructure and a chance to position this region as part of the AI economy instead of watching it pass us by,” he said. “The question for Sioux Metro communities isn’t ‘data centers and AI: yes or no?’ It’s ‘on what terms, in which locations and with what protections and benefits for the people who already live and work here?’ That is what we will unpack in this session.”

Economic development professional Kyle Peters will be one of the panelists.

“Our region is at an inflection point. We have a real chance to lead but only if we stay informed, proactive and willing to put the right policies in place,” he said.

“I plan to walk through what we’re seeing on the ground: active projects, timelines and how companies evaluate communities. I’ll focus on what local governments and regional partners can do today to position themselves for wins. I will also share an update on the legislative work that we are collectively doing to ensure that these hyperscalers are incentivized to come to South Dakota.”

The topics are coming up constantly, he added.

“Over the last 18 to 24 months, data centers, AI infrastructure and the energy demands tied to them have gone from long-term opportunities to active, near-term prospects in our region,” Peters said.

“We’re seeing strong interest from hyperscale and midsize operators who view South Dakota — especially the Sioux Metro — as a viable emerging market with available land, a predictable regulatory environment and proximity to transmission. The opportunities are significant: long-term tax base, major infrastructure investment and the type of anchor projects that attract supporting industries.”

The common thread is energy, he added.

“It’s the foundation for every major project right now: data centers, advanced manufacturing, ag processing, logistics, all of it,” Peters said.

“If communities aren’t engaged on generation, transmission and system capacity, they’re not going to be competitive. The decisions being made today will define what this region looks like for the next several decades.”

Communities also should be aware of the competitiveness in the industry, he continued.

“If South Dakota wants to compete seriously for hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure, we must adopt a modern incentive program and policy framework that aligns with what other states are doing,” Peters said.

“Without it, we will continue to lose projects to surrounding states that have already updated their tax policy to meet the needs of this industry. Incentives won’t win a project on their own, but not having them will absolutely take us out of the running.”

The future of energy also is emerging in innovative startups such as COAXIS Energy, which provides natural gas to end users utilizing liquefied natural gas, or LNG, technologies as an alternative to or supplement of traditional utility pipeline supply.

Founded in 2019 and based in Sioux Falls, the company focuses on economic development by utilizing nontraditional methods in servicing the growing market of natural gas supply. Its president, Trent Arlint, will present at the Growth Summit.

“I will discuss some of the different ways COAXIS Energy utilizes LNG to help support and develop the current natural gas markets with strategies such as natural gas peaking, bridge-to-pipe, off-grid, interruptible and electrical conversion services designed to fill the gaps in the current energy sector,” he said.

“Attendees can expect to gain insights into practical strategies for implementing innovative solutions that foster both environmental and economic developments.”

COAXIS Energy both serves and partners with local gas and electrical utilities to help serve the growing demands for natural gas for commercial, industrial and value-added agricultural customers.

“With the growing demand, our primary goal is to help support the local community and industry needs through collaboration, enhanced energy production and distribution services,” Arlint said.

“We’re committed to creating economical energy solutions that not only benefit our customers but also contribute to the overall well-being of the communities we serve.”

Other sessions at the Growth Summit will cover nuclear and renewable energy, as well as preview issues ahead at the 2026 South Dakota legislative session.

The growth of the Sioux Falls region and its communities depends on understanding what’s coming in energy, Bockorny added.

“It’s things like new generation needs, transmission bottlenecks, grid upgrades and how big users like AI and industry will shape demand. If we’re not informed and engaged, we won’t just lose projects — we’ll lose our ability to plan housing, roads, water and workforce in a coordinated way. Energy is now economic development infrastructure. Communities that get ahead of it will grow. Communities that ignore it will get left behind.”

For a full agenda and to register, click here.