Your week, simplified: Oct. 4, 2023
Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Cooling off
Cool opportunity: We're starting to put together the 2024 Simplified Welcome Guide (and, fingers crossed, looking at a potential print edition this year!)
- Want to share the story of your business in the guide? Interested in other advertising opportunities? Email olivia@sfsimplified.com
This week, I've got a look at how nonprofit partnerships are helping the county manage an increasing rate of domestic violence. You'll also find a look at the city's bike and pedestrian plans. Plus, don't miss some cool stories from our sponsors – including a new anti-conference conference and an effort to save a historic barn.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
Abuse is becoming more frequent and more severe in Sioux Falls
Simplified: Domestic violence is becoming more frequent and more severe in Sioux Falls, according to Minnehaha County State's Attorney Daniel Haggar. Victim advocates hope raising awareness and removing stigma will help reverse the trend.
Why it matters
- Domestic violence accounts for about 1 in every 9 cases in the State's Attorney's Office – a rate that's gone up over the last five years, according to data Haggar shared with Sioux Falls Simplified.
- Between 2018 and 2022, overall domestic assault arrests increased by more than 55%, according to Sioux Falls Police Department crime statistics. Felony arrests, specifically, went from 270 to 471 annually during that time period – a nearly 75% increase.
- That's also consistent with what Program Director Amy Carter is seeing at Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety, which last year opened a new building with double the beds it previously had available. Many of those new beds filled quickly – going from an average of 51 people per day a year ago to about 77 per day now.
"We have to keep educating, and we have to keep that awareness that this happens," Carter said. "People can't bury their heads in the sand and believe this isn't happening."
That's a lot of numbers. Tell me more about what's behind them.
And what's being done to help?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Hate marketing? This event has your back.
This is a paid piece from the I Hate Marketing Conference.
Simplified: Business owners and marketing professionals often have to wear a lot of hats, and it can get frustrating to try to keep up with all of the trends. The new I Hate Marketing Conference on Oct. 26 will give people an outlet to both express frustrations, share knowledge and build a community of people who can help.
Why it matters
- For small business owners, marketing can be overwhelming – especially if you're trying to keep up with different social media channels, photos, videos, search engine optimization, branding, your website – it's a lot.
- And even in larger businesses, it's not uncommon for marketing to be handled by one person or maybe a small team. That means marketers are asked to be experts in all areas, but then they can easily get spread too thin to really be successful.
- Enter the I Hate Marketing Conference. Attendees will get a chance to hear from local experts in video, SEO, branding, photography, web design and more to help them escalate their business, make connections and voice frustrations in a safe space.
"We welcome the frustration, and we understand the frustration," said Jeff Pickett, partner at 4Front Studios and one of the creators of the I Hate Marketing Conference. "We're this group that wants to help you overcome those frustrations and meet you where you're at."
Tell me more about the conference
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Get discounted flood insurance. Sioux Falls residents can get a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums thanks to to the latest rating from the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. Learn more and see the latest flood plain maps here.
- County cannabis license available soon. Minnehaha County laid out its timeline for accepting applications for the now-available license for a medical cannabis dispensary. Applications will open Oct. 13 with a random drawing Nov. 17 followed by a 60-day review period and expected final approval in January.
- Mobile Market coming soon. The city and Sioux Falls Thrive will unveil the vehicle they'll be using for the Eat Well Mobile Market on Friday afternoon. Check back later in the week for more details.
CITY
This plan would make Sioux Falls more bikeable
Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday got its first look at a plan that, if implemented, would make it possible to safely bicycle anywhere in town.
Why it matters
- Sioux Falls streets are built for cars and don't always take into account other forms of transportation, according to the draft 2023 bicycle plan. That can discourage folks from riding their bikes because they don't feel safe doing so.
- The city has been working on building more "complete streets" since 2015, which essentially means the city should have a transportation network that's safe and convenient for all users (including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit riders and motorists).
- This plan would take that work a step further with a plan to create a comprehensive network of bike lanes and trails that are safe and accessible to all residents.
"It's supposed to get everyone everywhere and connect the entire community," Urban Planner Fletcher Lacock said.
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
This group is working to save a 100-year-old barn
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.
Simplified: The Brandon Historical Society is looking to preserve one of the town's oldest buildings, and they're looking for community partners to help them achieve their goal.
Why it matters
- The building in question is a more than 100-year-old barn on the west side of town. It's estimated to have been built sometime between 1910 and 1920.
- The land it sits on was recently purchased by Van Buskirk Companies with the intent of building a housing development.
- Brandon Historical Society President Jeremy Risty recognizes the need for more housing in the area and the value of the property on which the barn is located, but he's hopeful he can help find community support to raise money to keep the historical structure in place.
"It would be a shame if the building got torn down," Risty said. "I understand it doesn't bring with it any financial incentives, but hopefully as a collective we're maybe willing to look past that and see both the aesthetic and historical value here."
Tell me more about the barn
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week
ICYMI
More recent headlines
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Sioux Empire United Way, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and Voyage Federal Credit Union. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.