May 12, 2025

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Businesses that want to connect with the growing Sioux Falls metro area now have a new way to show their support.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance has launched a corporate partnership program aimed at allowing more businesses and organizations to become part of its mission of smart growth.

“Historically, our members have been counties and cities, as well as utilities and banks,” CEO Tyler Tordsen said. “We bring competitors together in the same room for the good of the region and growth. Because of our reach and growing impact, we’ve had a lot of folks knocking on the door asking how they can become partners and show support for the region, so we developed a new corporate partnership model.”

As a corporate partner, “we make sure you are connected to all our events, all our resources and that you’re on the radar as we serve as an economic development resource partner,” Tordsen said. “If an elected official or small-business owner reaches out, we want to be able to connect them to a network of people who have expertise in the field and build that synergy and connectedness.”

The opportunity is open to any business, he added.

“If you’re interested in growth of the region and growing your business, you should consider partnering with SMGA,” he said. “We’re talking to engineers, architects, banks, utilities, developers, consulting firms, marketing businesses, small businesses, vendors and more.”

Almost as soon as the opportunity to partner with metro-area communities became available, ISG committed to it.

“We really believe in the SGMA mission and how it aligns with our ISG mission of ‘making a difference,'” president David Doxtad said. “Growing up in a small town in northwest Iowa, I always felt that a voice for economic development was something that separated communities that were able to grow and flourish.”

For a business that provides architecture, engineering, planning and environmental services, supporting smart growth and, by extension, workforce development is key, he said.

“The success of the Sioux Metro helps attract the best talent in the region. Much of this growth also leads to increased amenities, job opportunities, schools and other improvements that help us retain these individuals and their families,” he said. “The simple fact is smart growth in the area provides ample opportunities for our clients to grow, and that’s important to ISG. If our clients are growing, we have faith that opportunities for us to make a difference will grow too.”

As an SMGA board member, Doxtad advocated for the creation of the corporate partnership program.

“My passion for the organization is fueled by the advocacy SMGA provides to grow surrounding communities, so I trusted others would feel the same way about a corporate partnership program,” he said.

He was right.

TSP became a corporate partner early this year. The multidisciplinary design team of architects, engineers, interior designers and planners saw partnering with SMGA as an important way to connect with growing regional communities.

“SMGA is creating opportunities to connect communities in our region with top-level resources that generate economic growth,” said Lucas Lorenzen, structural engineer.

“TSP advocates for smart projects and smart growth in our communities, and we felt that a partnership with SMGA would offer an important opportunity to collaborate with many growing communities in southeast South Dakota.”

SMGA continually provides opportunities to network and develop relationships with community leaders, including its annual meeting, he said.

“The SMGA network is unique in bringing together key groups, from experts in water and energy resources to civic leaders, engineers and business executives,” Lorenzen said.

“TSP is built on a foundation of longstanding clients, legacy projects, and we understand that when the right design team, processes and goals align, it creates a more rewarding experience for our clients by maximizing their financial investment. Creating the right projects fosters sustainable growth, driving continuous development and attracting new businesses and opportunities.”

When Tina Heeren joined Gil Haugan Construction in 2024, she discovered Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“I signed up for their weekly emails, more out of curiosity, and found myself looking forward to them,” she said. “I started learning more about SMGA, their board, their team and the communities involved. What I discovered was a network made up of the very cities, counties and utility providers we already work with. We build for them. The alignment was clear.”

She also attended the SMGA Growth Summit — H20: What You Should Know.

“I walked out of that event thinking very differently about our role as a commercial builder and developer in the future of water, not just for us, but for our clients and the communities we serve,” said Heeren, who serves as chief marketing and sales officer. “It opened my eyes to how deeply water impacts infrastructure, development and long-term planning. It also opened my eyes to the potential business opportunities Sioux Metro Growth could offer.”

She was excited to learn that Alcester recently joined SMGA, having grown up on a farm nearby.

“At Gil Haugan Construction, we can build just about anything — truly, we have a talented team — but we also want to build commercial spaces that serve communities,” she said. “We want to be part of the expansion, the revitalization and the projects that drive job creation, boost revenue and breathe life into local economies. When communities grow, just like an Alcester, we all grow. It’s a full-circle alliance, just like the name says. It gives me the good kind of goosebumps.”

Gil Haugan became a corporate partner of SMGA early this year.

“SMGA creates so many pathways for connection and involvement, just like their upcoming bus tour in May,” Heeren said. “From the moment I signed up for their emails, to attending the December Growth Summit, to officially becoming a corporate partner, I’ve seen how SMGA is already contributing to our growth. And this is just the beginning.”

For longtime partners, the value is clear.

Bluepeak has been a corporate partner of SMGA for more than a decade.

“It’s a long-standing relationship that reflects our shared commitment to driving growth, innovation and opportunity across the region,” said Lucas Peterson, government affairs associate.

“The partnership with SMGA has been instrumental in fostering strong ties with city leaders, local officials and regional stakeholders.”

SMGA’s insights into development plans and regional priorities “have helped us tailor our service expansions to meet real community needs,” he continued. “It has also elevated discussions on how reliable broadband can be a catalyst for small-business growth, remote work, virtual learning and expanded health care access.”

The decision to commit to a partnership stems from a clear alignment in values, Peterson said

“SMGA plays a vital role in championing economic development and infrastructure investment across both rural and growing communities — many of which we proudly serve,” he said. “Their mission to build stronger, more connected communities aligns perfectly with ours: bridging the digital divide and future-proofing connectivity for all.”

Smart growth across the Sioux Metro area creates a foundation for stronger communities and directly supports businesses such as Bluepeak, Peterson said.

“As these towns attract new businesses, welcome new residents and invest in infrastructure, the need for high-quality internet services grows. We’re committed to connecting these communities because their success is tied to ours.”

So far, there has been “a really good response” to corporate partnerships, Tordsen said. “We’ve had quite a few sign up, and we’re offering different tiers with various level of access and the opportunities to be featured and become even more plugged in. People are showing a lot of interest, and I think it’s going to continue to grow.”

Supporting the work of SMGA allows the organization to do more of everything to support the region: 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.

“Everyone is in this because they believe in the region and believe in working together,” Tordsen said.

To learn more about becoming an SMGA corporate partner, click here or email tylert@siouxmetro.com.