Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Ope, back to winter – snow potential later this week
This week, you've probably already heard the news about Smithfield's big move out of downtown, but you may not have all of the context. I did my best to find as many answers as possible this early in the game – but certainly there'll be 1,000 more stories about this in the coming years, so stay tuned. 😉 You'll also get the latest on council pool drama and find a bunch of events happening this week.
And now, news:
CITY
Everything we know so far about Smithfield's move and downtown's future
Simplified: Smithfield Foods this week announced plans to build a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in northwest Sioux Falls estimated at $1.3 billion. The move also opens up 120 acres of downtown for redevelopment – enough to essentially double the size of the existing downtown area. Here's what we know so far.
Why it matters
- The new location is expected to be in Foundation Park near where Interstates 90 and 29 intersect. As part of the move, Billionaire philanthropist T. Denny Sanford agreed to donate $50 million to the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to fund the purchase and clean-up of the existing pork plant.
- That future development – which Mayor Paul TenHaken said was "a whole 'nother downtown" – is expected to be called the "Sanford District," though planning isn't yet underway for what that'll look like.
- The timing of the announcement is also significant. It's only about two months from the anniversary of the 1993 plane crash that resulted in the death of then-Gov. George S. Mickelson and seven others – primarily economic development officials returning from a conversation with John Morrell executives in Ohio working to convince them to keep the downtown meat packing plant in Sioux Falls open.
- More than 30 years later, city and state leaders once again convinced industry leaders to keep investing in Sioux Falls. Mayor Paul TenHaken told a standing-room-only crowd Monday morning that it wasn't a guarantee Smithfield was going to stay, and at one point they were looking at other states to build a new facility.
"We could've easily lost this plant," TenHaken said during an announcement Monday morning. "I don't want to just take for granted that it was assumed Smithfield will stay here because it wasn't."
OK, time for some rapid-fire questions
Covering everything from bus routes to tax incentives to downtown's future (at least what we know so far).
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Meet the woman shaping health and nutrition policy in South Dakota
This is a paid piece from Health + Nutrition First.
Simplified: Jennifer Folliard is a connector. She's spent her career in public health policy, specifically advocating for access to nutritious food, maternal health, and building systems that improve people's lives by improving access to what they need to be healthy. Now, she's translating that work into her own local business: Health + Nutrition First.
Why it matters
- Folliard's expertise is the ability to see systems and make connections, particularly when it comes to understanding and bridging gaps in health policy. In her work with clients, she's able to help improve systems so at every level of a nonprofit, for example, the work being done is moving toward a shared goal.
- She's also often a convener – bringing people together from different organizations to work toward solutions that make South Dakotans healthier. That's evidenced in her work with the South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative, a statewide effort to improve access to nutritious food.
- In Health + Nutrition First, Folliard offers public health consulting that helps organizations with policy analysis, advocacy strategy, strategic planning, program development and more.
"I think there's value in learning from the person that’s really doing very well and sharing it, so that other people can do very well in other parts of the state," Folliard said. "A lot of my work is connecting or putting the puzzle pieces together and then sharing what is working for people."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- City sets hard cap on pool spending. City Councilors voted unanimously Tuesday evening on a resolution to set a hard cap on how many tax dollars the city can spend on the Frank Olson indoor recreation center. That limit is $49,350,000 – or, put another way, a 5% variance on the $47 million cap set about a year ago now. The resolution also clarifies that any private donations must be consistent with the already-approved schematic design for the facility.
- Council approves 'Kirby Pool.' Councilors also voted unanimously to name the new "Kirby Pool at the Frank Olson Recreation Center" to recognize a $1 million donation from Jennifer and Joe Kirby to support the construction of the new facility. That vote was initially deferred because of an overall discussion on what the indoor rec center should cost, but this week councilors came back with the above resolution to solve that consternation.
- Councilor Rich Merkouris also noted the Kirby donation serves as an example for other donors because it's a naming rights agreement set for 20 years, not just "in perpetuity."
- "In the future, people are going to be sitting in our seats, and they're going to have an opportunity to do another gift or another sponsorship for 20 years," Merkouris said. "So I think it's a huge opportunity the Kirbys have given the city."
- More Community Partners Program contracts approved. The City Council on Tuesday approved another couple of contracts related to the Community Partners Program – the city's new way of supporting nonprofits. Tuesday's contracts included approval for $65,000 for REACH Literacy to support classes for English Language Learners. The council also approved a $130,000 contract with the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House to support the shelter's operations.
- Get help reaching your wealth goals.* NewEdge Advisors is a small team that offers wealth management services tailored to support your financial goals and aspirations. Their approach focuses on crafting personalized strategies designed to help you reach your goals, and they take a hands-on approach to each client relationship – bringing clarity and purpose as you navigate your financial journey. Some of their services include financial planning, investment planning and retirement plan consulting. Learn more here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This scholarship honors Sioux Falls' legacy while investing in its future
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: The Spirit of Sioux Falls scholarship has been supporting future business leaders for more than 30 years. Here's what you need to know about the scholarship's legacy, impact and application process.
Why it matters
- The scholarship honors the Sioux Falls men who were killed in a tragic plane crash more than 30 years ago – David Birkeland, Angus Anson, and Roger Hainje. On April 19, 1993, a small, state-owned airplane crashed in eastern Iowa, killing eight people, including Gov. George Mickelson, who were returning from an economic development meeting in Ohio.
- Since 1994, the Foundation has awarded 95 scholarships. The award amount varies, but last year two scholarships were awarded to college and technical school students studying business in the amount of $6,500. The hope is that those students will stick around and lend their talents to the business community after they graduate.
- That was the case with Sara Lum, a 2021 scholarship recipient. Lum, who is now a co-owner of marketing firm Strategie, LLC., used the scholarship to help fund her MBA. The financial support made it possible for her to to transition into a business career.
"When I decided to change careers and return to business school in my early 30s, the financial risk weighed heavily on me," Lum said. "As a small business owner committed to this community, receiving a scholarship honoring three leaders who contributed so much to Sioux Falls was both meaningful and inspiring."
Tell me more
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Feb. 18-24
- Catch a world premiere.* The Good Night Theatre Collective will premiere a brand-new musical comedy featuring the work of local playwright and performer Coleman Peterson. "Parents' Weekend" follows the shenanigans that ensue when old college pals reunite to relive their glory days – at their kids’ freshman year of college. The show runs Thursday through Saturday. Get your tickets here.
- Catch two world premieres. The Premiere Playhouse is also debuting two original productions from local playwrights during "The Premiere Premieres" this weekend. The shows are called "Two Sides" and "The Question And the Answer," and you can catch a double-feature Friday through Sunday. Details and tickets here.
- Watch for eagles. Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation is hosting an eagle watch event Saturday afternoon at Arrowhead Park as eagle breeding season kicks off. Even if the eagles are elusive, there'll still be hot chocolate, coffee and a little hike around the park. Details here. (Also, apparently there's a swan/goose hybrid named Vince that frequents the park – the more you know!)
- Test your puzzle talents. Severance Brewing is hosting a puzzle race Sunday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. Teams of up to six people can compete in five rounds, each with a 100-piece puzzle. Learn more here.
- Learn about your hormones and your allergies. Transitions doula services is teaming up with Songbird Kombucha co-owner Elsa Fokken for a wellness event Tuesday evening exploring the connection between estrogen and histamines. Learn more and register here.
- Check out art after dark. The Washington Pavilion is giving visitors a chance to explore the art galleries in a special after-hours event Thursday. The theme for this Art Art Dark event is fiber art, and it'll include an artist-led fiber workshop. Details and tickets here.
- Explore outside, inside. Landscape Garden Centers is transforming its indoor space into a peaceful indoor park for a VIP event including wine from Gist Wine Shop paired with charcuterie by Cultivated in Love, a guided walkthrough and a make and take craft. Details here.
*Denotes paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
How the library is retooling its digital assets – and saying goodbye to Hoopla
Siouxland Libraries will phase out use of the Hoopla app at the end of March as it moves away from the pay-per-use model of sharing digital assets like ebooks, audiobooks and movies. But fear not, e-readers – there are two new digital options already in place to help fill the gap.
Megan Raposa
Why councilors have concerns about Minnesota Avenue
The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday authorized more than $12 million for phase two of a project reconstructing Minnesota Avenue.
Megan Raposa
Meet the Grammy-winning musician teaching at Augie
Matthew Whitaker started playing piano as a toddler. Now 24, he’s teaching collegiate-level piano as the Augustana University School of Music’s inaugural artist-in-residence, and earlier this month, he won a Grammy for Best Arrangement in the instrumental category.
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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