Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

First things first: This issue is sponsored by Wire Design Company.

  • Kristi Wire, founder of Wire Design Company, brings more than a decade of experience in helping her clients find efficiencies in their business through design. Learn more about her business here. And, you can hear her brand insights in-person during an April 11 Startup Skills Workshop at Startup Sioux Falls. Tickets available here.

Weather check: Windy but at least it's warmer

This week, I've got the last bit of the election guide for City Council candidates. You'll also find a look at how the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is helping folks get the skills they need to move up in the workforce. Plus, find some Super Simplified Stories and our weekly roundup of events.

And now, news:

ELECTIONS

What City Council candidates have to say about transit, public safety and why you should vote for them


Editor's note: These stories are the next installment in a multi-part series on the 2024 city and school board election. Find all the coverage that's been done so far right here.

Simplified: Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with each of the eight candidates hoping to have a seat on the City Council. Candidates were all asked (approximately) the same set of questions. Here's what they had to say about transit, public safety and anything else you should know ahead of Election Day.

Why it matters

  • The city has a new transit provider, Via, who's bringing a focus on more on-demand busing. We asked candidates what they think makes a successful public transit system.
  • When it comes to public safety, the Sioux Falls Police Department continues to grow alongside the city, all while crime rates remain relatively flat. We asked candidates how they'll approach funding decisions related to police and public safety.
  • Candidates also all had an opportunity to talk about any other topics that are important to them leading up to election day – including why they're the best person for the job. Here's what they had to say.

Hear from the candidates

Find thoughts from all eight candidates on all three of these topics.

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

This program helps businesses 'UPSKILL' their workforce

This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Simplified: The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has helped more than 300 people receive workforce training through its UPSKILL Program, and with two new industries added this year, the goal is to help even more.

Why it matters

  • The UPSKILL Program launched in 2021 with funds from the Governor's Office of Economic Development. The Foundation started the program as a way to help businesses afford the cost of up-skilling their employees to keep up with changing workforce needs.
  • Initially, the program focused just on helping people earn their commercial drivers license (CDL), and it was so successful, UPSKILL expanded this year to include funding to train people in both the healthcare and construction industries.
  • Vice President of Talent and Workforce Denise Guzzetta noted that the labor market is flipping. Right now, the majority of the labor market is entry level, but in the next five years, she estimates about 75% of the labor market needs to be skilled, i.e. have some type of certification or credential.
"The goal is, overall, that we're going to start making dents in some of these industries where we have so much demand, and it's outpaced by supply," Guzzetta said.

How does the UPSKILL Program work?

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Changes coming for Whittier. The Sioux Falls school board on Wednesday is set to hold a work session to talk about the facility plan for Whittier Middle School, as well as hold the first of several public input opportunities on what the district is calling the "Whittier Project." The middle school is the oldest building in the district at over 100 years old, and there's been talk for years about building its replacement.
  • Get ready for traffic, south siders. Orange cone season is on the horizon, and the city is warning particularly the south side of town that there'll be some major construction projects south of 85th Street this summer. That'll include closures and lane reductions on Minnesota, Louise and Tallgrass Avenues. Here's a little map of how it'll all shake out in terms of timeline:

EVENTS

Stuff to do: April 3-9

  • Vote on April 9. Am I hammering the point too much? Sorry not sorry. I became a journalist to tell stories that empower people to be active participants in their (our) community. Voting is like the most obvious, easy way to do that.
  • Learn about native pollinator plants. Make your yard bee- and butterfly-friendly with the help of this class from the Minnehaha County Master Gardeners. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday at the downtown library. More details here.
  • Catch some art. Third Eye Gallery/Vishnu Bunny is hosting an art show curated by Rachel Funk for the month of April. Check out the debut from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday as part of the downtown First Friday festivities.
  • Watch the solar eclipse. We may not get to see the total eclipse from Sioux Falls, but there are still some fun eclipse-related events happening. The library is hosting kids learning events on Saturday at Prairie West and downtown. Then, you can watch the actual eclipse on Monday at the Washington Pavilion, or celebrate over a BOGO "Lunar Lager" at Severance Brewing.
  • Combine good coffee and good food. Salas Salsa's food truck will be pulled up in front of The Breaks for both lunch and dinner on Friday. Get the details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

This is Avera’s largest building project in history
It’s a massive investment in hospital space to care specifically for women and children.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Get a first look at the zoo’s big plans for growth
The Great Plains Zoo shared a first look at its long-term master plan this week, and it includes some major changes aimed at bringing a better experience to animals and guests alike.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
Elections - Sioux Falls Simplified
Sioux Falls Simplified’s weekly newsletter cuts through the clutter and delivers the bullet-pointed, bite-sized version of the local news you need.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING?

How to support Sioux Falls Simplified

Has Sioux Falls Simplified made you feel smarter about where you live?

Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:

  • 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 via buy me a coffee. :)
  • Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com or check out our media kit.
💡
Want the process to be even simpler? You can schedule a newsletter or event sponsorship right here with just a few clicks and a few questions.

Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or horror stories of April Fools pranks gone wrong to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Special thanks to Wire Design Company!

Congratulations to Wire Design Company on five years in business! Learn more here on how the company can help you build a clear, concise brand. And don't miss the Startup Skills Workshop on April 11.