Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Melty and springy
This week, you'll find the latest on the Smithfield saga after councilors approved a nearly $90 million tax-increment financing proposal Tuesday night. You'll also learn more about a new effort to get a roof over more people's heads. Plus, find a whole bunch of events to ring in the spring.
And now, news:
CITY
Council approves $90M financing plan for Smithfield
Simplified: The City Council on Tuesday night voted to approve a nearly $90 million tax-increment financing plan to offset the costs of construction for a new Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in northwest Sioux Falls.
Why it matters
- Before the vote on the TIF, councilors also had to address a conditional use permit related to the project, which resulted in more than a dozen people stepping up to give public input.
- Business and economic development professionals once again came out in support, and many Crooks and neighboring residents asked the council to oppose, citing concerns about odor, traffic and their own property values.
- The council approved the permit, as well as three separate items related to the TIF. With that vote, the Smithfield project officially has the council's stamp of approval, with only a few additional conditions attached to the project.
- Smithfield officials have said without the TIF, they would not build their new $1.3 billion facility in Sioux Falls. And councilors ultimately agreed that keeping the city's fourth-largest employer in town was more important and beneficial to the community in the long run.
"You simply cannot be pro people without being pro economic development," Councilor Rich Merkouris said near the end of a four-hour council meeting, citing the number of people who come to Sioux Falls because of the economic opportunities available here.
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COMMUNITY
How dedicated housing vouchers are helping the homeless
Simplified: Last spring, Sioux Falls Housing decided to set aside a portion of Section 8 housing vouchers to help chronically unhoused people not only find housing, but keep it. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- Sioux Falls Housing started a new effort in the last year to set aside 3 percent of the city's Section 8 housing vouchers to assist people who are chronically homeless. That amounts to about 65 vouchers.
- City Homeless Coordinator Michelle Treasure credited these vouchers as one of many reasons the city saw a slight decline in its annual point-in-time homelessness count in January. Other factors contributing to that decline in homelessness are an increase in street-level outreach and the county's Just Home project.
- So far, 33 vouchers have been used to help house people referred by local nonprofits and service agencies – with a specific emphasis on helping families with young kids. Of those, 32 remain housed so far, according to Sioux Falls Housing Executive Director Larissa Deedrich.
"It's not just about getting them under a roof, it's about making sure they've got the tools in place so they can stay housed," Deedrich said.
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SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
These EmBe programs help women own their leadership
This is a paid piece from EmBe.
Simplified: Regardless of where you are in your career or life trajectory, EmBe has a women's leadership offering where you'll belong. Here's how EmBe is creating spaces for women to share their expertise, build their skills and own their leadership journey – including programs starting as soon as this spring.
Why it matters
- EmBe's Women's Leadership Programs aren't just a setting to hype you up and tell you that you can do it. It's about real growth and transformation, according to Director of Leadership and Culture Melissa Hiatt.
- Programs are designed to challenge women to grow while also connecting them to a network of professional women who can serve as both peers and mentors in addressing leadership challenges and wins along the way.
- Leadership programs fall into three distinct categories: Leading Me, Leading With and Leading Wise. Each of the programs build upon one another, but you don't have to complete one before you sign up for the next.
- It's also the right time to apply now, if you're looking for business development in the first half of 2026. Applications for spring cohorts of both the Leading Me and Leading With programs close mid-April.
"This is hard work," Hiatt said. "Knowing yourself as a leader requires leaning in and growing in self-awareness. It’s not about the next thing to boost your ego. It’s taking responsibility for who you are as a leader and the part you play in building your career, culture, and community. This is transformational work that happens."
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TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Big news for the aquarium. Sanford Health this week announced a $2 million donation to the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium's campaign to build a world-class aquarium, expanded education center and a reimagined butterfly garden. In recognition of this donation, the aquarium's shark exhibit will be called the Sanford Health Shark Reef Habitat.
- With that donation, the zoo's "We Can't Wait" campaign has officially surpassed $46 million in total funds raised, and the hope before the end of the year is to raise the remaining funds needed to start aquarium construction.
- Big money for tech school. Southeast Tech announced this week that it's raised $38.5 million to support students and workforce development. The fundraising was part of "Campaign NEXT," a five-year comprehensive campaign, which had an initial goal of $25 million. Funds will support scholarships, facilities, equipment and help strengthen high-demand programs. Read the full news release here.
- ☀️Let the sun shine! It's Sunshine Week – which means folks across the country are working to educate the public on the right to know what government officials are up to. South Dakota News Watch and the state media association have some resources here to help you learn more about open meetings, public records requests and how South Dakota fares in terms of transparency (spoiler: not great).
EVENTS
Stuff to do: March 18-24
- Get bewitched, body and soul.* The Good Night Theatre Collective is staging a production of "Pride & Prejudice" this weekend with shows Thursday through Saturday. Step back in time with the Bennet sisters with this official BBC adaptation of the iconic Jane Austen novel. Snag your tickets here.
- Celebrate the equinox. If you're looking for a chance to soak up the warm weather coming our way later this week, you can trek across state Friday evening. Details here. (Or, there are plenty of South Dakota state parks nearby if you're looking to stay closer to home. May I recommend Palisades? Or Good Earth?)
- Celebrate some notable anniversaries. Say Anything Jewelry is celebrating 17 years in business with a sale now through Saturday. Get 10% off permanent jewelry and select custom items. Details here.
- Check out some model trains. The Greater Sioux Falls Model Train show will chug along all weekend at the Convention Center. Tickets are $10, and children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Details here.
- Do a little wedding planning. Recently engaged? Monick Yards has you covered with a free wedding showcase Sunday to meet with vendors, find inspiration and enter to win thousands of dollars in wedding giveaways. Details here.
- Kick off spring downtown. Cherapa Place is hosting a "Spring Fling" event Saturday morning with events including a free yoga class, loft tours and discounts from local businesses. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
*Denotes a paid partnership. Use code SFSIMPLIFIED at checkout for a discount on tickets to the Mighty Corson Art Players production.
ICYMI
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Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, 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, FUNctional Kids 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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