Growing Places

In this episode of Growing Places, host Tyler Tordsen sits down with South Dakota State Historian Dr. Ben Jones to unpack the America 250 initiative. They explore how small towns, local traditions, and civic volunteerism help tell America’s story, from Liberty Trees and time capsules to parades, potlucks, and preservation projects. Listeners will hear practical ideas for celebrating 2026 in their...

SMGA's Chris Fields and Tyler Tordsen chat with Midco's Senior Government Relations Director, Andrew Curley. Midco is a long time supporter of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Join the trio as they discuss Midco's footprint, the Fiber Forward initiative, and Andrew's seat on the Membership Advisor Board.

SMGA's Chris Fields talks tourism with Carmen Schramm Executive Director for the Tourism Coalition of South Dakota and return guest Kasi Haberman, Executive Director for Southeast South Dakota Tourism. Join the trio as they talk all things tourism, the #2 Industry in South Dakota. Hidden Gems: Good Earth State Park, The Good Earth Farm , and Steever House .

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...

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).

Eric Meyer, Founder and Executive Director for Generation Atomic, addresses the crowd at the 2025 Growth Summit as the morning keynote. Listen in as Eric explains the advancements in nuclear energy and discusses what is on the horizon nuclear power generation in the United States.

Didn't have a chance to attend the 2025 Growth Summit? Listen in to our Power 101 panel featuring SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen as the panel moderator and panelists: Sam Wagner (Business and Community Development Manager, MidAmerican Energy), Steve Kolbeck (State Director-SD, Xcel Energy), and Mike Jaspers (VP of Business Development, East River Electric).

In this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with Lorraine Polak, State Director for USDA-Rural Development. Listen is as the pair discusses improving infrastructure in rural South Dakota, USDA-RD efforts to bolster preparedness in rural communities, and how your community can get connected to resources. Visit USDA-RD on X Lorraine's Hidden Gem: Lewis and Clark Trails T...

Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen invites Eric Pauli, Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy, to the podcast studio. The pair discuss Xcel Energy’s role in supporting economic and community development across South Dakota through reliable power delivery and strategic infrastructure planning and more.  Eric's not-so-hidden Gem: Scheels

Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen sits down with President for South Dakota's Economic Development Professionals Association (EDPA), Mike Bockorny. Tyler and Mike discuss economic development in South Dakota, traveling the state, and making South Dakota a place of abundant opportunity.  Mike's Hidden Gem: Mike loves downtowns of all sizes. Businesses: Hotel on Phillips, the Steel Distric...

In this episode of Growing Places we have a full house! SMGA's CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialists Chris Fields and Josh Chase sit down with a trio who are actively involved in building South Dakota's workforce, one person at a time. From Southeast Technical College, Kelli Rogotzke joins the show to tell us how students and industry partners can get involved in the Bui...

Listen in as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields are joined by Southeast South Dakota Tourism's Kasi Haberman. Kasi is the Executive Director of SESD Tourism. Join the trio as they discussed their partnership, SESD Tourism's publication, and how tourism impacts the state's economy. Kasi's Hidden Gems: Cherry Rock Farms , Red Truck Alpaca Farm...

Join us as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields as they sit down with Dean Dziedzic of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The trio discuss Dean's history, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation (SFDF), and SFDF's projects.  Dean's Hidden Gem: Hartford Steak Co.

On this episode of Growing Places Josh and Chris sit down with Mike Jaspers, Chairman of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance's Executive Board of Directors. Listen in as the crew talks life in rural South Dakota, data centers, and property tax reform. Mike's Hidden Gem: Chasers on west 12th in Sioux Falls *Honorable mention to Chuck's Drive-In in Lennox, SD

On this episode of Growing Places, SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields sit down with Mayor Harry Buck of Brandon to talk about public service and serving the community of Brandon. Tune in to hear more about Mayor Buck's experience serving his community.

On this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Joshua Chase sit down with Mr. Bill Even, Commissioner of South Dakota's Governor's Office of Economic Development. Commissioner Even has a long history in South Dakota including a family homestead which started near Humboldt, SD in 1884. His roots power his passion for service and growth here in...

In this episode of Growing Places SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Eco Devo Specialist Chris Fields visit with Amanda Mack, ICMA-CM EMPA who serves as City Administrator for the City of Harrisburg. Amanda is returning to the Sioux Metro region after having served the City of Watertown, Spencer (Iowa), Canton, and Worthing in previous years. Join us as the trio discusses a booming city in the Metro as we...