Growing Places

Join SMGA's Chris Fields as he disucess the history and happenings in Garretson, SD.

In this episode SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Ryan Budmayr to talk about his new role as CEO of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Tune in and listen as the pair discusses working through the issues in Pierre, the economic development landscape, and how to get involved!

Join us for another episode of Growing Place, your home for everything economic development in the Sioux Metro. Visit us at https://siouxmetro.com/. In this episode, Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down to talk the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) implementation and his growth in 2025. 

If you'd like to talk about implementing EOS in your organization reach out to Will via email at [email protected]

Will's Hidden Gem: Zebra King Donuts

SMGA CEO and Tyler Tordsen sit down with Bob Fitch of Fitch Media. Join the pair as they discuss SMGA's publication, in partnership with Fitch Media, Growing Places. 

Check out past issues of Growing Places here.

Bob's Hidden Gems: the Taco Vault in Worthing, Waddy's in Hudson, and Sioux Valley Grill.

Call or text Bob Fitch at (712) 551-4123

SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down with Mayor Derek Wenck of Harrisburg. Join the trio as they dig into Mayor Wenck's service to the growing city of Harrisburg, South Dakota.

Join SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen as he and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down with Sam Wagner, Business and Community Development Manager for MidAmerican Energy. Listen in as the trio discuss the Sioux Metro's Growth Summit, safety in the utility industry, and how MidAmerican is helping communities thrive across its service territory.

Joni Ekstrum (Executive Director, SD Biotech Association) leads a conversation about South Dakota's upcoming legislative session with Senator Casey Crabtree (District 8), Representative Kent Roe (District 4), and Representative Brian Mulder (District 11).

CEO of EDPA-SD, Mike Bockorny, leads a conversation about data centers and artificial intelligence with this group of industry experts. Listen into the panel discussion featuring: Kyle Peters (Developer/Owners Rep), Ryan Punt (CEO, SDN Communications), Sam South (Director of Analytics Innovation, Microsoft), and Ben Dold (Presidents & COO, Midco). 

Trent Arlint and Scott Stern of COAXIS Energy educate the crowd on the benefits of liquified natural gas, as well as explaining how their product has been useful worldwide.

Listen in on the Renewable Energy Panel at the 2025 Growth Summit! Jesse Fonkert, CEO of SD Trade moderates a conversation on renewable energy with panelists Gary Fish (Board President, SD Renewable Energy Association), Henry Rubin (Director of Regulator & Political Affairs, NextEra Energy), and Peter Schmitt (Project Developer, US Solar).