ABOUT SMGA
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.
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.”
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, Baltic, Brandon, Canton, Centerville, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Harrisburg, Hartford, Humboldt, Lennox, Tea, Salem, Valley Springs, and Worthing.
Our mission is to stimulate, sustain, and support the economic growth of the communities, businesses, and general stakeholders of the metro area outside of Sioux Falls.
Our vision: 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.
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 16 municipality members. In the private sector investing partners include, utilities, financial institutions, engineering firms, and others.
Each investor contributes a certain amount to the SMGA. For municipalities, it is determined by population. Every ten years, the amount will reset with new census numbers. For the years in between, the state CPI will determine growth in investment.
The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is managed by a dual board structure. Each partner is treated as a member and serve on our Membership Advisory Board (MAB). The Membership Advisory Board meets monthly to monitor the work of the SMGA. The Membership Advisory Board is also responsible for electing nine members from the private and public sectors to the Executive Board. Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Board include the management of the SMGA finances and supervision of the President/CEO.
As always, we are open to, and continue to grow our membership and partnership bases, so that we can continue to go above and beyond meeting the needs of our current and future members and corporate partners. By allying ourselves, our organization helps to create a stronger metro for all of us, as well as for many generations to come.
SMGA ANNUAL REPORT
