Sioux Falls Brothers Named South Dakota Small Biz Champs

When federal officials need to understand what small manufacturers actually face, they don't just read reports. They show up, listen, and sometimes honor the businesses doing it right.

That's exactly what happened last week when the U.S. Small Business Administration gathered at Maguire's Sioux Falls campus. The water tank manufacturer hosted a roundtable where fabricators, business leaders, and policymakers talked openly about regulations, workforce challenges, and what actually helps small businesses grow.

The visit also brought special recognition for Maguire owners Gene Jones Jr. and Scott Jones. The SBA named them South Dakota's 2026 Small Business Champions, an award that celebrates leaders who strengthen their communities, not just their bottom lines.

"This recognition isn't about us. It's about our people," Gene Jones Jr. said. "Every tank we build or maintain, every community we serve, it's driven by a team that cares deeply about doing the job right and making a difference."

His brother Scott sees it as validation of their core philosophy. "We've always believed that if you take care of your people and your communities, the rest will follow," he said.

The roundtable itself created something rare: direct conversation between manufacturers and the people writing federal policy. SBA officials heard firsthand about supply chain realities, compliance headaches, and what actually slows innovation down.

"When you bring fabricators, business leaders and policymakers into the same room, real progress can happen," said Brian Cooper, Maguire's vice president of business development. "These conversations help ensure that regulation supports innovation instead of slowing it down."

Trent Staggs, SBA Region 8 advocate, explained why these visits matter. "We are charged to look at the regulatory landscape and be the voice of small businesses across every federal agency," he said. "We want to help identify and eliminate burdensome regulation, so it is important for us to get out and meet businesses where they are."

After the discussions, attendees toured the fabrication facility where Maguire builds water storage tanks for communities nationwide. Walking the factory floor turned abstract policy talk into something concrete: real people, real processes, real purpose.

The Ripple Effect

Maguire serves communities across more than 30 states, delivering critical water infrastructure that supports public health. But the company's impact extends beyond the tanks themselves.

By hosting federal officials and creating space for honest dialogue, they're helping shape smarter policies that could benefit small manufacturers everywhere. Joe Knilans, SBA national rural affairs advocate, said business owners at the roundtable will now spread the word that the SBA actually wants to hear their concerns.

The Jones brothers built a business that builds infrastructure. Now they're building something else: a bridge between industry and the people who regulate it, making sure small business voices actually get heard.