Happy Friday! Megan here.
First things first, this issue is brought to you by Friends of the Big Sioux River.
- Friends of the Big Sioux River is hosting the inaugural River Revival fundraising gala on Friday, Sept. 19 to support clean water, community and conservation. Come in your "river chic" attire for an evening of live jazz music, food, drinks and an opportunity to learn more about the organization's plans for the future. Learn more and get your tickets here.
Weather check: It's giving summer
This week, consider this your reminder to make sure you have a plan for any ash trees in your yard. Plus, Forward Sioux Falls has big goals for economic development, and Mayor Paul TenHaken has big goals for civic engagement. Plus, catch up on a bunch of Super Simplified Stories to carry you through the weekend.
And now, news:
CITY
Why it's time to check your trees
Simplified: If you've got an ash tree in your yard, it's not a question of if it will be affected by emerald ash borers – it's a question of when, said Urban Forestry Specialist Bryan Peterson, and a dead tree hanging out in your yard is an accident waiting to happen. Here's what homeowners need to know.
Why it matters
- Emerald ash borers, or EABs, were first spotted in Sioux Falls in 2018, and the city has been working through a 10-year plan to treat or remove all ash trees in public areas and along the public right-of-way.
- Now, it's time for private property owners to pick up the baton. Peterson told reporters Thursday that it's the responsibility of property owners to know what kind of trees they have, and, if any of those are ash trees, it's a good idea to have them removed.
- The number of affected trees that are fully dead from EABs doubled year-over-year, Peterson said, and that's only going to increase.
- On the plus side, the city is one of only a few to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That $3 million grant will support the "CommuniTree" program to plant 2,500 new trees in public right-of-ways at no cost to property owners.
"You'll get a letter on how to select and receive a free tree – one tree per parcel," Park Operations Manager Josh Johnson said. "The city will hire contractors to plant and maintain the trees for one growing season to ensure the survivability of the tree and success of the program."
Tell me more about EABs
CITY
TenHaken calls for people to fill 'leadership gap' in local politics
Simplified: Fewer people are stepping up to lead, particularly when it comes to local government, Mayor Paul TenHaken said Thursday to a crowd of community and business leaders during the announcement of a new Forward Sioux Falls campaign. Here's what he had to say about the city's "leadership gap."
Why it matters
- The data backs up what TenHaken is saying. In the last Sioux Falls City Council election in 2024, two of the four available council seats went to uncontested candidates. And, the same year, there were 45 uncontested state legislative candidates across South Dakota in the general election (17 of whom were also uncontested during the primary), per reporting from South Dakota Searchlight.
- It's not easy holding a public office, TenHaken said, in fact, it's "very sucky." But if Sioux Falls wants to continue to grow with the support of efforts like Forward Sioux Falls, it's going to require "smart elected officials," he said.
- The mayor also called on the public to think more critically about who they're voting for and to ask candidates their position on things like tax-increment financing and other pro-business policies.
"Just because you have the same name you've seen on the ballot that you've seen for the last 10 years, think before you fill in the circle," TenHaken said. "Ask hard questions. Get to know who you're voting for."
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How businesses are buying in to support Sioux Falls' future
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: Business and economic development leaders are banding together to raise $18 million to support the growth of Sioux Falls over the next five years. The Forward Sioux Falls IX campaign launched Thursday with plans to bring local leaders together in support of a better tomorrow. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- Forward Sioux Falls – a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation – was founded in the late '80s with the goal of diversifying the city's economy. It has since become the primary economic driver for the region, creating thousands of jobs, funding industrial parks, supporting the workforce and advocating for businesses.
- New this year is an emphasis on affordable housing as a critical component of economic development. Forward Sioux Falls Campaign Co-Chair Andy Munce said the group is exploring the possibility of creating a land trust to support this goal.
- Forward Sioux Falls is also leaning on young professionals, with a team of about three dozen of them volunteering to help with fundraising that aims to bring thousands of new jobs, $3 billion in new capital investments and attract 30,000 new residents by 2031.
- That's a particularly salient point for James Gaspar, who's leading a third-generation family business at Interstate Office Products. Gaspar said there was never a question as to whether he'd support Forward Sioux Falls.
"It takes all of us together to step forward and volunteer," Gaspar said. "If we want things to happen in this community, we have to be willing to do them."
Tell me more about Forward Sioux Falls IX
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Big money for The Link. The Greg and Pam Sands Foundation this week announced a $250,000 donation to The Link Community Triage Center to support folks battling addiction or mental illness. The investment will bring $50,000 per year for the next five years to The Link, and it marks the largest individual donation to the triage center. So far this year, The Link has provided 2,135 triages so far this year, and data shows as many as 70% of the people treated there are unhoused. Learn more about The Link here.
- Hispanic Chamber cancels festival. The South Dakota Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is canceling its annual Latino Festival and Parade, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports. This comes amid increased immigration enforcement and state initiatives like Operation Prairie Thunder. Find the full story here.
- Get smart about Midwest Street Medicine. You might remember an earlier story about the local nonprofit helping the unhoused population. Next week, Midwest Street Medicine is hosting an event of insight, lived experience and powerful storytelling with Tanya, a member of the Lower Brule Sioux tribe. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at the Union Gospel Mission and is free to attend.
More Super Simplified Stories
- Help paint a mural. The community is invited to help paint a new mural in the tunnel of the Cherapa Place parking ramp during the Riverfest event next weekend. Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. received a $15,000 grant from the Gilchrist Foundation, and artist Joe Schaeffer will lead the creation of the 60-foot mural.
- More college kids all around. Enrollment figures released this week by the South Dakota Board of Regents show growth in the number of college students at Dakota State University (a record number), South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota. Even the private schools are getting in on the action with Augustana University welcoming the largest-ever freshman class and student body in university history.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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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.
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Special thanks to Friends of the Big Sioux River!
Don't miss the River Revival fundraising gala next Friday, and you can keep the conservation conversations going Saturday, Sept. 20 by visiting Friends of the Big Sioux River at the downtown Riverfest.
