• 🔍 Closer look at Smithfield TIF. The Planning Commission on Wednesday is expected to vote on whether to advance a proposed nearly $90 million tax-increment financing plan to offset costs to build a new $1.3 billion pork processing plant in Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls. This is the first public look at the specifics of the TIF (background here), including eligible costs, the base land value and a sketch of the site plan for the new facility. If you wanna dig deeper, you can read the full TIF project plan here. If approved by the planning commission, this will move to the City Council for first reading next Tuesday.
  • City finalizes more Community Partner Program grants. The steady stream of Community Partner Programs – the city's new program for supporting local nonprofits – continued this week with the approval of two more contracts. The Premiere Playhouse will receive $100,000 from the city to provide an arts and movement-based wellness program "Theatre for Every Body." Additionally, the St. Francis House will receive $131,500 to support at-risk populations by providing transitional housing.
  • 🏘️ADUs taking off in Minnehaha County. Last year, the Minnehaha County Commission changed zoning laws to allow for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Since then, more than half a dozen of these units have been approved in the county, according to Planning Director Scott Anderson. Anderson told commissioners this week he's seen very little pushback from surrounding properties and "huge benefits" for the people who have the ADUs – e.g. as housing for elderly parents, disabled adult children, etc.
    • "I feel it really has been a huge benefit to the county," Anderson said. "And so I'm really pleased with how that has turned out."
    • What's next? The county is looking to implement ADUs in Dell Rapids