Growing Places

This week Rachel Neiman, Executive Director of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce stops by to talk with Jesse and Sheldon about the Brandon Community. Tune in to hear about their Pizza Battle and the future of SMGA's largest community.

This week, Carrie Bell, Executive Director of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce sits down for a conversation with Sheldon about the explosive growth seen by the community. The Harrisburg Chamber supports the business community of Harrisburg and South Sioux Falls connecting members together through regular events and networking opportunities.

This week Sadie Swier with the SDCEO Women's Business Center East stops by the office for a conversation about her organization, how she ended up in her position, and the amazing programming SDCEO provides our region. Tune in to hear about the power of connection, a supportive ecosystem, and so much more.

Peter Hauck is the Assistant Director of the Prairie Family Business Association. This week Sheldon and Jesse sit down with Peter to discuss the vital role PFBA plays in the Sioux Metro's entrepreneurial ecosystem. PFBA provides a variety of resources for family businesses including retreats and peer groups. Peter is also a small business owner himself. Learn about Peter's business, his love for Caesar Salads and more by tuning in!

This week Sheldon sits down with Jay Buchholz and Ben Pierson from Sioux Valley Energy. Jay and Ben provide an overview of our power grid, electrical utiltities and the gradual shift to renewable energy. Sioux Valley Energy is hosting an Electric Vehicle Drive event on Thursday, September 29th at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. Learn more about this event by listening to our conversation!

This week Councilmember Mitch Rayman and Superintendent Matt Alley swing by for a conversation sharing the story of Salem, SD. Salem is SMGA's newest member community and this episode features a great overview of what the community has to offer, why it is unique in the metro and why the future looks bright!

South Dakota's Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen and Industry Relations Representative Calvin Bloemendaal stop by the Sioux Metro offices this week for an engaging conversation about all things tourism in the Sioux Metro and South Dakota as a whole. They focus on the department's new strategic initiatives including the Great Finds Passport Program and how our communities can best attract tourists to stop on down. 

This week the SMGA team sits down with Kyle Peters to talk agriculture in the Sioux Metro. Kyle is a Business Development Representative with A1 Development Solutions. A1 is a full-service firm focused on attracting Agricultural development to South Dakota. Kyle shares information about the ag market, why the Sioux Metro is seeing an explosion of dairy operations, and so much more.

More Sioux Metro businesses rely on international trade than one might think! Tune into hear from South Dakota International Trade Officer Rock Nelson and Luke Lindberg from the South Dakota District Export Council. Rock and Luke share about how to start importing and exporting, the current and future state of international trade for our region, and so much more! If you know Rock, you probably are not surprised this is our longest episode yet!

Today, Sheldon and Jesse sit down with Rhiannon Israel from the Relocation Companion and Welcome Sioux Falls. Rhiannon shares her family's relocation story from Tennessee to Harrisburg, SD. After their move, Rhiannon started a business dedicated to assisting employees, employers, and communities in the relocation process. Tune in to learn more!