Sioux Metro and Canton, SD Issued BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Corn Stover

South Dakota’s First ‘A’ Rating Signals Deep Corn Stover Supply for Biobased Investment in the Sioux Metro region

July 30, 2026

SIOUX FALLS – Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issuance of a BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Canton, South Dakota. The BDO Zone is the first Rating in the state of South Dakota, rated for 700,000 bone-dry tons per year of low-risk corn stover and spans a 75-mile drive radius from its central point in Canton, SD, covering the entire Sioux Metro region.

Canton’s ‘A’ rating denotes high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. The region’s agronomically mature production system and long-established experience in corn production and residue management ensure reliable feedstock availability. Regional industrial competition for corn stover is very limited, and the full rated quantity is available within a 40-mile radius, keeping supply both accessible and unconstrained. The rated anchor site is the Canton Industrial Park, a 20-acre shovel-ready, city-owned parcel located directly on the recently four-laned SD Highway 18, with electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and fiber service all available. A BNSF mainline runs directly through the park, and serviced lots are competitively priced — together positioning Canton as a prime location for biobased industrial development.

Tyler Tordsen, President & CEO of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, stated, “Lincoln County and our Sioux Metro Region have the feedstock, the producer experience, the relationships and the site-ready infrastructure to support serious biobased investment. This ‘A’ rating reflects the longstanding strength of our region’s corn production system and the readiness of industrial sites that fit our communities such as the Canton Industrial Park, I-29 Ag & Industrial Park, and others. We see it as a meaningful signal to developers and investors looking for low-risk, high-viability locations in the Upper Midwest.”

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance worked closely with the Canton Economic Development Corporation to engage local stakeholders in Lincoln County and with Ecostrat in pursuing federal grant funding opportunities to help obtain a BDO Zone Rating. Sioux Metro Growth Alliance provided matching funds and was successful in being awarded a USDA Rural Business Development Grant in late 2025.

“Rural Development is pleased to support Sioux Metro with this process. By utilizing the Rural Business Development Grant funding, Sioux Metro obtained an investment-grade BDO Zone Rating. This designation will be instrumental in economic development and job creation for our rural communities,” said Lorraine Polak, USDA Rural Development State Director for South Dakota. “Sioux Metro’s actions will continue to expand available markets for our agricultural products across rural South Dakota.”

South Dakota’s Governor’s Office of Economic Development has also been watching this program closely and is supportive of the state obtaining its first BDO Zone rating.

“South Dakota’s competitive advantage begins with our producers and the strength of our agricultural economy,” said Bill Even, Commissioner, South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “This designation reinforces that our state has the feedstock, infrastructure and business climate to support the next generation of biobased manufacturing. Opportunities like this help create new markets for agriculture while strengthening rural communities and expanding value-added industries across South Dakota.”

Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “Canton’s deep corn stover supply, combined with very limited regional competition for that resource and a shovel-ready industrial site on a recently widened highway minutes from Interstate 29, makes for a compelling profile for any biobased developer evaluating where to put their next project.”

To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Canton, SD, please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.