Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Ok rain, you can lay off a bit now, we get it
Our annual 'A Little Help' give-back campaign runs through the month of September. The goal is to help local nonprofit Bread Break raise $5,000 to support their mission to prevent food waste while feeding the hungry. Learn more about Bread Break here, and consider tossing a few bucks their way if you're able.
This week, brace yourself, the election guide is coming (I promise it'll be worth the wait!) But, for today, we're talking civic engagement and new ways to let Mayor Christine Erickson know your priorities. You'll also find a whole bunch of events on what promises to be a maybe-not-totally-drenched fall weekend.
And now, news:
CITY
Mayor Erickson wants to hear from you in new 'Sioux Falls Listens' events
Simplified: Mayor Christine Erickson this week announced a new "Sioux Falls Listen" events series aimed at hearing directly from residents what they want to see in city leadership, as well as to give the community a chance to shape the city's future.
Why it matters
- Erickson said winning the mayoral election by only four votes changed her mentality when it comes to leading the city, and she realized she needed to pause and bring the community alongside during the transition to her administration.
- Erickson herself will attend all of the sessions, which will be facilitated by her transition team co-chair John Beranek. Beranek has previously facilitated community conversations with the Sioux Falls School District, and he's also built strategic plans for multiple universities in the region.
- The listening sessions – which will run through October and November at no cost to the city – are a practical way for residents to get together, talk about what they like about Sioux Falls, what they want to see change, and hopefully encourage people to work together to accomplish their goals.
"The City of Sioux Falls is really in the business of customer service, serving the city and the taxpayers," Erickson said. "If you don't know what your customers want, how can you serve them? This is an opportunity for residents to give us feedback."
Tell me more about the listening sessions
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
From learning to leading: How Boscaljon Design Co. found its niche in local woodworking
This is a paid piece from Startup Sioux Falls.
Simplified: This fall marked a full-circle moment for local woodworker Nate Boscaljon, who co-owns Boscaljon Design Co. with his wife, Anna. Five years ago, before taking the business full-time, Nate built his business plan through the Startup Sioux Falls Business Accelerator program. This fall, he's leading a group of entrepreneurs through the same journey.
Why it matters
- Nate and Anna Boscaljon hit a point during the pandemic where they both felt dissatisfied with their day jobs, and when Nate saw an advertisement for Startup Sioux Falls' 10-week Business Accelerator, he said it was a "no brainer" to apply.
- Going through the program, which at the time was facilitated by Eric Weisser of Weisser Distributing, Nate said he was really pushed to get specific about his target customer. That push to seek customer feedback and get specific ultimately led Boscaljon Design Co. to offer an entirely new service: custom cabinetry. Today, that service is a major arm of the business.
- Now, five years later, Nate is back in the Business Accelerator program, but this time, he's the one sitting in the facilitator seat. And he's using his experience in refining his target customer, finding his niche and growing his business to help other entrepreneurs figure out those same lessons.
"It's OK to still be figuring it out," Nate said. "That's how I've been trying to look at my role as a facilitator. I'm not the person to walk into a room and trick people into thinking I know everything, but I'm a really good 'figure out-er' of things if you give me the details."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- What should we do with the quarry? The city, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund want to hear feedback from Sioux Falls residents about what to do at the quarry near Falls Park. The Bezos Earth Fund earlier this year announced a $15 million grant to redevelop the site, and now it's time to figure out what to do with that money. The event will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with speaker remarks at 5:15 p.m. at the future site of The Quarry at The Falls, 1110 N. Weber Ave.
- A rare gubernatorial debate. There aren't a lot of times you'll see South Dakota's two candidates for governor – Republican Larry Rhoden and Democrat Dan Ahlers – hanging out, but this week they squared off in a debate co-hosted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and South Dakota News Watch. Topics discussed included data centers, affordability, property taxes, education funding and tribal relations. You can find a recap from South Dakota Searchlight, or watch the full debate on SDPB. (Also shoutout to Jackie Hendry for doing a darn good job moderating. That's not easy to do!)
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How businesses are supporting growth in the Sioux Metro
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.
Simplified: Dozens of businesses have bought in to support the economic development work of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. Here's what you need to know about their corporate partnership program.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Metro Growth Alliance is the largest regional economic development organization in the state. SMGA evolved from the Lincoln and Minnehaha County economic development organizations in early 2021.
- Public-private partnerships have been part of SMGA since day one. But in January 2025, the organization launched a reimagined corporate partnership program to give businesses of all sizes a chance to not only support economic development, but also to find connections to customers within regional communities.
- That includes businesses like Cosand Construction, which joined last year as a corporate partner. Sales & Marketing Manager Tracy Kerkhove said a partnership with SMGA is a great fit for Cosand because the two organizations share a passion for seeing communities in the metro grow and thrive.
"We get to see firsthand how a new business, a new facility, or an expansion can have a ripple effect on a community, and we really enjoy being a part of that process," Kerkhove said. "That’s what we appreciate so much about SMGA. They do a great job of advocating for the communities they serve and creating awareness around the opportunities and growth happening throughout the region."
Tell me more
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Sept. 30-Oct. 6
- Pizza be with you.* Join Shepherd's Table on Oct. 2 at the Good Earth Farm near Lennox for pizza, community and live music. The inaugural "Pizza be with you" fundraiser will support the ministry of building longer tables so all might find a place to belong. Learn more and snag your tickets here.
- Get a little bit pink. Sanford is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this week with a fundraiser for its Wigs for Cancer Patients program. If you stop by the Locken Lobby on Sanford's main campus between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, you can get pink hair tinsel with a minimum $5 donation.
- Learn about ballot measures. The Sioux Falls League of Women Voters is hosting a forum Thursday evening to give folks a chance to learn more about the ballot measures that'll be decided in the Nov. 3 election. It'll take place in partnership with OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute). Full details here.
- Play pickleball. This Saturday, The Jar Pickleball Club is hosting a pickleball tournament to benefit The Gathering Well, a nonprofit that supports foster and adoptive families impacted by trauma. Find details here.
- Check out some art. The assignment was for artists to submit their favorite piece, and submissions will be on display at Wild Peach and Co. all day on Saturday. Find the details here.
- Eat some pork. The Downtown Pork Showdown is happening throughout the month of October. Twenty-seven restaurants will go head-to-head to make the best pork-focused entree. Check out the competition here.
- Eat some chili. Chili Fest, a fundraiser to support The Banquet, is happening Thursday evening. Your $20 ticket (or $25 at the door) gives you a chance to sample chili from 10 local chefs and, of course, some cinnamon rolls. Get the details here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Tom A. Savage
Megan Raposa
WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?
Support Sioux Falls Simplified
Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:
- Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
- Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
- Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
- Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.
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 and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
