March 19, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

People and places helping shape the success of the Sioux Falls metro area have been honored with annual Partners in Progress awards.

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance presented the awards at its annual meeting Wednesday.

Here’s a closer look at this year’s winners.

Community of the Year: Dell Rapids

This award is granted to an SMGA member community that has demonstrated successful new ideas in community development or who achieved a community goal through partnership and community effort.

“Leadership is everything, and Dell Rapids has been blessed to have a long line of leaders there over the years,” said Chris Ekstrum of The First National Bank in Sioux Falls in the award video for the community. “They’ve been able to maintain growth and development while staying true to their small-town charm and who they are.”

Business Partner of the Year: Sioux Valley Energy

This award is given to a company, enterprise or entrepreneur doing business in the SMGA region that has shown outstanding community development support or regional economic development partnership activity during the preceding year.

Sioux Valley Energy is a member-owned, nonprofit electric cooperative founded in 1938 that serves a broad region spanning seven counties across two states, including five in eastern South Dakota — Brookings, Lake, Moody, Minnehaha and Kingsbury — and two in southwestern Minnesota — Pipestone and Rock. Operating under its motto “Serving Our Members. Always,” the cooperative is guided by community-driven values — prioritizing safety, reliable service and member focus.

“One thing that Sioux Valley does really well is to follow through,” SMGA board chair Mike Jaspers said. “They don’t just show up and check the box. They’re committed to their members and the greater region.”

Regional Economic Development Champion: Justin Weiland, city administrator for Tea

This award goes to an individual living in or working in the region who has shown active support for community development through recent or cumulative past service to economic development and community enhancement.

Justin Weiland was recognized for his nearly two decades of work managing city governments.

“Justin is the epitome of a regional champion. From his early years running city functions in Lennox, to spending 13 years growing Dell Rapids, to now guiding Tea through their next chapters of growth, Justin is a leader behind the scenes making it all happen the right way,” said Tyler Tordsen, president and CEO of SMGA.

More than 150 people, made up primarily of community and business leaders from Sioux Falls and across the region, attended the annual meeting for Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

“We’re fortunate to live in a state and region where the communities, the businesses and the people are looking out for each other and working on growing the region with future generations in mind,” Tordsen said. “All of us at SMGA continue to be proud of our members, partners and volunteers who make the work we do special and our collective impact on the region meaningful.”

SMGA also elected new officers for the 2026-27 term:

• Chair of the board, Marcus Mahlen of NAI Sioux Falls.
• Vice chair, Tony Wiseman of Journey Construction.
• Secretary/treasurer, Dean Karsky of Minnehaha County.
• Past chair, Mike Jaspers of East River Electric.
• Membership advisory board chair, Andrew Curley of Midco.

For information on SMGA or to read its 2025 annual report visit siouxmetro.com.