ABOUT SMGA
WHO WE ARE
Growth of the Sioux Falls metro statistical area (MSA) has presented new challenges to member communities along with a plethora of opportunities. Since the ‘90s, economic development has also changed to be more holistic. Meaning economic development is focused on more than just increasing sales tax figures, expanding the property tax base, and supporting job creation.
The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance (SMGA) is the product of a merger between the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations (LCEDA/MCEDA). Formed in the 1990’s LCEDA & MCEDA have jointly served the following public members: Baltic, Brandon, Canton, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Harrisburg, Hartford, Humboldt, Lennox, Tea, Sherman, Valley Springs, and Worthing. The associations have also been supported by a variety of private partners including utility companies, financial institutions, and developers.
Currently, SMGA serves a four county metro – original county members, Lincoln and Minnehaha; and now also McCook and Turner Counties. Our current member municipalities include Alcester, Beresford, Brandon, Canistota, Canton, Centerville, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Harrisburg, Hartford, Humboldt, Lennox, Tea, Valley Springs, and Worthing.
OUR HISTORY
LCEDA and MCEDA were formed with a specific mission in mind: “to promote the responsible economic development of rural Minnehaha/Lincoln County. Economic Development is defined as anything that enhances the economic well-being of the area. Each community must identify the growth which is best for its own citizens, including new businesses, expansion or retention of business, tourism, retail trade, or housing. In general, economic well-being can be demonstrated by an increased base valuation of the communities and an increased customer base.”
OUR MISSION AND VISION
The mission of SMGA is to empower our communities to grow.
We have a vision that by working with our partners, we will help create a strong, united, and prosperous metro. Through our pillars of growth and engagement, our organization will become a national model for successful regional economic development.
OUR VALUES
- INTEGRITY
- Always be truthful and transparent with all.
- Do the right thing no matter the circumstances.
- Be compassionate, sincere, and authentic everyday.
- GROWTH-ORIENTED
- Be community minded.
- Facilitate collaboration between all relevant stakeholders on each project and program.
- Be optimistic!
- SERVANT LEADERSHIP
- Be a problem solver.
- Collective expertise guides the vision of each member towards their goals.
- Maintain open and transparent lines of communication between all stakeholders.
To best support its members and corporate partners, SMGA focuses on two things: growth and engagement. Growth includes business development, business retention and expansion (BRE), and residential development. Success of this pillar can be measured by the increase of tax base, sales tax dollars, jobs, businesses, and housing units. Engagement includes marketing, staff support, economic development education, community development, and public policy. Success of this pillar can be measured through digital engagements, improved understanding of economic development, stronger towns, and economic development friendly policy.
Members and partners of our organization include both public and private bodies. On the public side, investing members include our four county members – Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha and Turner; as well as our afore mentioned municipality members. In the private sector investing partners include, utilities, financial institutions, engineering firms, and others who care about and support the growth of our region.
