Growing Places

Join us as Hayley Johnson and Josh Chase with SMGA sit down with Eric Fosheim, Economic Development Manager for East River Electric to talk about his personal and professional journey, indicators of a community with a growth mindset, and how East River Electric is giving back to their communities.

Eric's hidden gem:Hartford Steakhouse

Honorable Mentions: TC Referee's and Breaking Burrito

Join us as Hayley Johnson and Joshua Chase of SMGA h ostBrandon Lane, Economic Development and Community Relation Executive for Sioux Valley Energy, as they discuss Brandon's personal and professional background, the Leadership Sioux Metro program, and Sioux Valley Energy's Revive 2030 initiative.

Brandon's Hidden Gem: Nikki's Burritio Express

Meet the newest additions to the SMGA team, Berk Erhmantraut and Hayley Johnson

SMGA's Tyler Tordsen and Chris Fields sit down with Dusten Hendricksen, CEO of Mailbox Money, to talk about about small town real-estate and quality workforce housing.

Listen in as SMGA CEO Tyler Tordsen and Economic Development Specialist Chris Fields discuss leadership. They'll also introduce a new program offered in collaboration with Think 3D Solutions, featuring CEO Tamien Dysart.

Join SMGA's own Economic Development Specialists Bryce Healy, Chris Fields, and Josh Chase as well as SMGA's summer intern Porter Ihnen as they discuss internships, projects, and all the hidden gems in the Sioux Metro region.

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 own communities beyond the July 4th celebrations.

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 via email at william.powell@eosworldwide.com

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).

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.