May 6, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Maguire.

Last week, U.S. Small Business Administration leaders, regional manufacturers and policymakers gathered at Maguire’s Sioux Falls campus for a powerful morning of collaboration, conversation and recognition.

The event, an SBA Manufacturing Industry Listening Session and Regulatory Roundtable, brought together key voices across the manufacturing sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of American industry. It also served as a moment to celebrate Maguire’s own leadership as owners Gene Jones Jr. and Scott Jones were formally recognized as South Dakota’s 2026 Small Business Champions.

The honor reflects not only business success but also a deep commitment to community impact, workforce development and industry leadership.

Trent Staggs, SBA Region 8 advocate, presenting at the roundtable.

Platform for manufacturing voices

The roundtable created an open forum for manufacturers to engage directly with SBA officials on regulatory pressures, workforce challenges and growth opportunities.

“This kind of setting matters,” said Brian Cooper, vice president of business development at Maguire. “When you bring fabricators, business leaders and policymakers into the same room, real progress can happen. These conversations help ensure that regulation supports innovation instead of slowing it down.”

SBA representatives emphasized the importance of hearing directly from manufacturers on the ground.

“We are charged to look at the regulatory landscape and be the voice of small businesses across every federal agency,” said Trent Staggs, SBA Region 8 advocate. “We want to help identify and eliminate burdensome regulation, so it is important for us to get out and meet businesses where they are and hear from them directly.”

The discussion focused on practical, real-world insights about supply chain realities, workforce realities and compliance challenges, giving SBA leaders a clearer picture of how federal policy impacts regional manufacturers.

Trent Staggs, SBA Region 8 advocate, presenting at the roundtable.

Celebrating leadership and impact

The event also highlighted the recognition of Gene Jones Jr. and Scott Jones as SBA Small Business Champions, an award given to leaders who go beyond business success to strengthen their communities.

“This recognition isn’t about us — it’s about our people,” Gene Jones Jr. said. “Every tank we build or maintain, every community we serve, it’s driven by a team that cares deeply about doing the job right and making a difference.”

For Scott Jones, the award reinforces the company’s long-standing philosophy.

“We’ve always believed that if you take care of your people and your communities, the rest will follow,” he said. “Being named Small Business Champions is an incredible honor, and it reinforces why we do what we do every day.”

Their leadership has helped position Maguire as a national leader in water storage infrastructure, serving communities across more than 30 states.

 Inside Maguire’s fabrication facility

Following the roundtable, attendees toured Maguire’s fabrication facility, getting an up-close look at how water storage tanks are built for communities across the United States.

From steel fabrication to coating systems and final assembly, the tour showcased the craftsmanship, precision and innovation required to deliver reliable water infrastructure.

“This is where policy meets reality,” Cooper added. “When you walk the floor and see what it takes to build these structures, it changes the conversation. It grounds everything in the people, the process and the purpose behind manufacturing.”

Bill Even, commissioner of the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development 

Driving the future of manufacturing

The event underscored a shared commitment between industry leaders and the SBA: ensuring that small and midsized manufacturers continue to thrive in an increasingly complex environment.

“Our office has been the hidden secret for way too many years,” said Joe Knilans, SBA national rural affairs advocate. “The only way to get the message out is to talk to people in person. The business owners we interacted with at the roundtable heard us and gave us their complaints. Then, they will go back and talk to other businesses and let them know that if they have issues, they need to reach out to us.”

By hosting the roundtable, Maguire reinforced its role not just as a builder of infrastructure but also as a leader of meaningful industry dialogue.

Building more than infrastructure 

At its core, the day was about more than recognition or regulation. It was about the connection among business leaders, policymakers and the communities they serve.

Maguire continues to lead with a clear purpose: being a force for good and building infrastructure that supports public health, strengthens communities and creates opportunity across the country.

And as Small Business Champions, Gene Jones Jr. and Scott Jones are helping ensure that impact extends far beyond the tanks they build and maintain.

Extending the conversation: ‘The Maguire Podcast’

To continue the dialogue beyond the roundtable, Maguire also hosted a special episode of “The Maguire Podcast” featuring SBA representatives.

The conversation offered a deeper look into the SBA’s priorities, the realities manufacturers are facing, and how collaboration between industry and government can lead to smarter, more effective policy.

“Hosting Trent and Joe on the podcast allowed us to go beyond the surface,” Cooper said. “The roundtable sparked important conversations, but the podcast allowed us to unpack those ideas and share them with a broader audience.”