Happy Friday! Megan here.
Weather check: Cooling off this weekend
Extra, extra! Eat all about it!! You guys. It started as a dumb joke, and now I think it's lowkey my whole personality now. LOOK at this "Local News Burger" designed by local artist Carly Kewley. When you buy a Local News Burger (i.e. sign up as a paying member), you're getting trustworthy, simplified information on the forces that shape Sioux Falls. Delicious.
This week, I learned a lot about data centers, and, more importantly, I learned a lot more about the work that went into the proposed center City Council paved the way for Tuesday night. There's a lot of complexity, but if you've been feeling concerned or disheartened about the project, I'd encourage you to read more details on the guardrails in place to protect citizens from rising electricity costs and excess water usage.
- Plus, you'll also find a high-level look at what Sioux Falls-area state lawmakers are planning to work on in Pierre ahead of the 101st legislative session next week.
And now, news:
CITY
Why councilors voted to pave the way for a hyperscale data center
Simplified: City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved both a rezoning request and preliminary plans for a hyperscale data center in northeast Sioux Falls after nearly four hours of public comment, largely in opposition. But councilors emphasized to Sioux Falls Simplified that the city is still hearing residents' concerns. Here's what they had to say.
Why it matters
- The site at the center of this debate is a 164-acre property south of Rice Street and east of Veterans Parkway on land that was annexed into the city last fall. Data centers have existed in Sioux Falls for years, but what we're talking about here is on a much grander scale. Discussions Tuesday night centered on a maximum energy usage of 500 megawatts for this project.
- Reports vary on how many homes could be powered by 500 megawatts, but for context, your electricity bill is measured in kilowatts (technically kilowatt hours, but let's not get too in the weeds here), and there are 1,000 kilowatts in one megawatt.
- Some of the big concerns around the proposed data center are the impacts on electricity rates in the area, water usage and noise – all of which councilors say were addressed in detail both in the weeks leading up to their decision and in Tuesday night's meeting.
- And while cities across the country are rejecting data center projects – this study outlines some of them – councilors told Sioux Falls Simplified they feel confident in the work the city has done to put guardrails up to protect residents from adverse affects.
"People need to understand that we have some really smart people working for the city that have done their research to figure out how to make this a good project for Sioux Falls," Councilor Ryan Spellerberg said.
What else did councilors have to say?
SODAK SIMPLIFIED
What Sioux Falls-area lawmakers are focusing on in Pierre this session
Simplified: South Dakota's 101st legislative session kicks off next week, and there's a lot of ground to cover in 40 days. From property taxes to airport funding to whether lawmakers will uphold a 0% funding increase for schools, here's a high-level look at what we know so far about how Sioux Falls-area lawmakers will be spending their time in Pierre.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls metro area makes up about one-third of the state's population, and with 10 legislative districts in the area, it's about one-third of the legislature, too. Several of those lawmakers attended an event Thursday morning hosted by the chamber of commerce in which each person had a few minutes to highlight priorities in Pierre.
- Much of the legislative session will focus on the state's budget, which is facing lagging sales tax revenues. That's led Gov. Larry Rhoden to propose a 0% increase to the so-called "big three": education, state workers and medicaid/healthcare providers.
- It's ultimately up to the legislature to decide how money gets allocated, but lawmakers are also facing some pressure from constituents to lower property taxes. That's something that could have significant impacts on local governments because city, county and school district budgets rely heavily on property tax revenue.
- Another common theme Thursday morning was an emphasis on collaboration both within and across party lines, as well as a focus on making sure the legislative process goes as it should.
"We've got to get back to some common-sense civility," District 11 Sen. Chris Karr said.
Tell me more about expected legislation
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- What is a doula?* A doula is a trained professional who can help you have your best birth or postpartum experience with hands on, evidence based, expert help. And when you need one, check out Transitions: Doula & Life Services, a doula agency serving Sioux Falls and the surrounding area. Think of them as your personal birth sherpa or postpartum tour guide. Research shows that birth and postpartum outcomes are better with a doula on your team. Learn more here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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 Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Redmond Prime Cuts, Great Bear Ski Valley, 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 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. ❤️
