Hundreds gathered at the Sanford Barn for the Growth Summit 2025, hosted by the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance, to discuss South Dakota’s energy future. Key topics included electrical power, renewable energy, and the rise of artificial intelligence and data centers.
Alliance CEO Tyler Tordson said the summit continues a series on strategic growth pillars, following past conferences on housing and water. Economic leaders highlighted the potential of data centers to boost tax revenue, create jobs, and position South Dakota as a tech hub, with cold winters offering a natural cooling advantage.
While many support development, concerns remain about water use and energy costs. Panelist Kyle Peters noted that, like any major project, data centers change the landscape. Supporters say new cooling systems could minimize water consumption.
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