This is a paid piece from Forward Sioux Falls.
Simplified: A new, long-range strategic plan for Sioux Falls outlines plans for more collaboration across the region, an increase in corporate responsibility and a number of steps we can all take to make our community better in 2034 than it is today. Here's what you need to know about Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4.
Why it matters
- Sioux Falls Tomorrow is led by a steering committee with representatives from local government, schools, and the business community. It's not owned by any one entity and is truly a collaborative effort, said Brittany Hanson, program director for Forward Sioux Falls.
- The first Sioux Falls Tomorrow plan was released in 1994 and has come out every decade since then as an intentional effort to encourage leaders to look outside their own walls and think strategically about what's next for Sioux Falls as a whole.
- The latest plan, released earlier this year, has four areas of focus – all of which are different or updated from previous plans – and goes beyond big goals to focus on tangible action items.
"We are set up to take this plan and turn it into action," Hanson said.
Tell me more
There are four main focus areas in the Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 plan, each of which has goals and specific action items. Here's an overview of some of the goals:
Economic Development and Corporate Responsibility
Goals in this category involve an expansion of the Sioux Falls airport, expanding the boundaries of downtown and becoming the type of community where the high-tech sector can thrive.
- Another unique goal in this plan is the idea of preserving the "culture of corporate responsibility," which essentially means making sure businesses continue to play a hands-on role in shaping the future.
- That also includes making sure emerging leaders are encouraged to get engaged and understand that giving back is just part of the job.
"You make the call, and people show up," Hanson said.
Quality of Life
Goals in this category include enhancing public transportation, year-round recreation and the development of recreation trails that connect Sioux Falls to other communities in the region.
- There's also a goal to accelerate the vision and investments in the Falls Park Master Plan to bring new amenities to the city's namesake park.
Social Services
Housing has been an important point of discussion in previous Sioux Falls Tomorrow plans, but this time, the plan is taking some new approaches.
- That includes a goal to develop collaborative and consistently-funded housing initiatives. That could look like developing a housing trust fund or a community land trust.
This focus area also aims to continue encouraging efficiencies and having various social service agencies work together to best serve folks in need.
Regional Collaboration
The boundaries are becoming tighter and tighter between Sioux Falls and neighboring communities like Tea, Harrisburg, Brandon, and others.
- With that will come conversations about potential for shared services like water, public safety, emergency management and more.
- There's also potential for more public and private partnerships across business, government and community organizations across the region.
"This 'next-level' thinking is crucial for the broader Sioux Metro," said Tyler Tordsen, stakeholder in the plan and president of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. "We owe it to our residents and taxpayers to seek partnerships and efficiencies wherever they make sense."
The inclusion of regional collaboration is new this year, but collaboration as a whole has always been an important part of the process.
"Every goal in here requires community collaboration, and that's what makes it unique," Hanson said. "That's what makes Sioux Falls unique – people will put their competitive differences aside to work together."
Are there any wins from past plans?
You betcha.
The Helpline Center Network of Care, for example, was an idea pitched in the Sioux Falls Tomorrow 3 plan released in 2014.
- The idea was to create a network of social services and find efficiencies between all of the various nonprofits. That's happening now.
Megan Raposa
What happens next?
Each goal in the strategic plan has a designated steering committee member who will help convene key partners to collaborate and develop solutions.
- The steering committee will also continue meeting regularly to track progress and guide implementation.
