July 31, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Midway through the year, many Sioux Falls metro communities are experiencing solid building activity, growing sales tax revenue and exciting plans.

Jay Buchholz, key accounts and community relations executive for Sioux Valley Energy, serves as board chairman for Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

We caught up with him to learn more about the state of the Sioux Metro region today and what he anticipates looking ahead.

Halfway through 2023, what stands out to you as some of the key developments in the Sioux Falls metro area? How would you assess overall economic activity?

Fortunately, every member community and county SMGA serves is uniquely different. Each has different metrics and expectations when it comes to economic activity. That does make it challenging to identify key developments. Overall, I tend to lean on population numbers and increased tax revenues as the base metrics. During the pandemic, I was amazed to see increases in tax revenue activity for many metro communities. When residents decide to do business locally, it shows in their streets, infrastructure and quality of life.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance has expanded to include the full Sioux Falls MSA, including McCook and Turner counties. What kind of momentum are you seeing in connecting with this broader region?

With the addition of McCook and Turner counties, it shows the value SMGA brings to the region, giving the rural areas a bigger voice. SMGA is connecting those communities to more resources and opportunities versus them going at economic development on their own.

As you look back on the last few years for SMGA, what stands out as particular successes?

As 2023’s SMGA chairman, I have to thank Jesse Fonkert for his vision and action bringing the Lincoln County and Minnehaha County economic development associations under one roof, increasing engagement with the member advisory and executive board structures and adding SMGA staff to help fill the needs for those communities that want extra services.

You now have the opportunity to bring on a new leader as you search for the next president and CEO. What qualities are you looking for in that person?

Since adding our staff and more communities/counties to the membership, my goal is to find an individual that can manage and coach our SMGA team so they can advance professionally and add more value to their respective communities.

SMGA also is preparing for its annual Growth Summit, which will focus on housing. Why did you choose that, and what do you hope attendees take away from that?

During the great recession of 2007-2008, I served on the Home Builders Association of the Sioux Empire marketing committee with a “Build and Buy Now” campaign to keep the housing market going. Similar to those times, we need to get creative together to help each community regarding this shared housing problem. Offering this event is another way SMGA can offer ideas and action steps to both its membership and the state.

Big picture, what else do you see in the future for SMGA? And how could others who aren’t connected with it do so?

The future I see for SMGA is similar to our own electric cooperative family under the Touchstone Energy umbrella. A stand-alone cooperative may not always have the people, resources or influence to make significant impacts. But when we combine our cooperatives or community voices together, we have strength in numbers positively impacting the region and state.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance seeks new leader with CEO’s departure