Double the spark in Volga

Katelynn Sheehan’s love for dogs began with her childhood pet, Lyla—her “soul dog.” She credits Lyla with shaping her confidence and strength, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a career working with animals.

That passion turned into a business in 2018 when she launched Kate’s House of Hounds, initially offering grooming services out of her home. But she always envisioned something more.

When looking to expand, she knew she wanted to be located downtown.

“I’m on the fire department in town, so being close, being able to serve while still being able to give back to my community was very important to me,” she said.

In 2025, Sheehan opened a new facility in the heart of downtown Volga. She now offers full-service grooming, boarding, daycare, and training. Having designed the building herself, she created a space tailored to the needs of both dogs and their owners – one that prioritizes safety, comfort, and a positive experience from the moment they walk through the door.

Sheehan also continuously expands her knowledge base to provide the best care possible. She holds a Professional Obedience Trainer title, a Certified Canine Behavior and Training Specialist certification and is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Sheehan received three separate nominations for the Community Spark Award—a first in the program’s history—highlighting her impact not only on her clients, but across the community.

“Kate has a way of bringing people from all over straight into the heart of small-town Volga,” one nomination read. “Located right on Main Street, Kate’s House of Hounds isn’t just a stop for top-notch pet care—it’s a front-row seat to everything our small town has to offer. Her business creates a ripple effect, drawing in visitors who then explore local shops, grab a bite to eat, and more. It’s more than a grooming appointment—it’s an introduction to Volga.”

City Administrator Michael Schulte sees that impact firsthand.

“Her building is incredible and sparks the downtown area,” he said. “You see pets everywhere in town and Kate is meeting a growing need. She is great to work with and has added a valuable business to our community.”

Having grown up in Volga, Sheehan is grateful to be living her passion in the community she loves.

“It took a lot of people to get here,” she said. “I’m very thankful.”

Back Alley Meats

For years, Dan Kriese and his wife talked about opening a meat shop. What started as processing wild game for friends and family grew into something more, as they recognized the need for a retail meat store in the area.

“Ever since I was a little kid, we always processed our own wild game,” Kriese said. “During my days off at the firehouse, I sold pellet grills and accessories and did a lot of meat smoking for people.”

When Back Alley Meats opened in 2024, he brought that knowledge to the business. But more importantly, he filled a gap in the community.

“A grocery-type store has been a huge need in Volga for many years,” noted Schulte. ”Since opening, they have expanded their selections, listened to customer feedback, and have adapted to truly serve their customers.”

Back Alley Meats is a full-service retail meat store, offering fresh and high-quality meat products including brats, sausages, chicken, lamb, hamburger, steaks and jerky.

By using only Certified Angus beef, the business delivers a consistent, high-quality product customers can rely on. Their steaks are hand-cut and each product is checked for quality.

The store also features soups, dry rubs, cheeses, and a variety of local products. They also process wild game and offer lunch specials.

When choosing a location, the Krieses saw clear opportunity in Volga—considering affordability, available property, and its central location in an area without a local meat shop.

Today, their reach extends across the country with their products sold in Alaska, Texas, Oregon and on the East Coast. They have even taken orders from England.  

As a former firefighter as well as deputy fire chief in nearby Brookings, Kriese was willing to put the hard work in to get the business off the ground.

“There were a lot of early mornings and late nights,” he said. “There still are, but not as many, and it has paid off.”

Partnerships spark progress

Both businesses point to strong partnerships as the key to turning their dreams into reality.

Schulte recalls both Kriese and Sheehan walking into city hall within a week of each other, each looking for locations in Volga for their business. He provided information on available properties, local incentives and Heartland Energy programs. He also put them in contact with the Volga Development Corporation (VDC).

“Michael was more than helpful and offered nothing but support,” recalls Kriese. “The VDC and city council were also willing to do whatever it took to get our business here.”

One key resource was the Heartland Energy HELP Fund. Kriese compared it to conventional financing and worked with his local bank, BankStar Financial, which helped guide him through the process.

“It seemed too easy,” Kriese said. “But it was 100% clear up front and very easy.”

Kriese later told Sheehan about the financing option.

“Dan is how I found out about Heartland,” she said. “When you’re a small business, the financing is extremely scary. Having BankStar to bounce ideas off of and Heartland to make it more affordable – I genuinely wouldn’t be here without them.”

As Back Alley approaches its two-year anniversary and Kate’s House of Hounds celebrates its first, both have found their place in Volga, a community that is thriving.

Schulte is encouraged not only by their success, but by what he sees as a bright future for Volga.

“Over the past five years, we’ve been adding a few businesses each year and a few houses each year – what I call incremental growth,” he said. “Over time, that adds up. With more homes and more people, more businesses want to be here and serve the community.”

That kind of growth doesn’t happen by chance—it’s sparked by small businesses, strengthened through partnerships, and built to last.