Happy Friday! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is sponsored by the Voyage Federal Credit Union.
- Voyage Federal Credit Union is celebrating 85 years of serving the Sioux Falls community this year, and this holiday season, you can earn double points on every credit card purchase (details and disclosures here). Voyage is also the lead sponsor of the inaugural BIN-GO Shop Local game, in which you can win prizes for supporting local businesses this holiday season. Pick up a bingo card at any local Voyage branch or at participating downtown businesses.
Weather check: A windy and mild weekend
This week, in the spirit of our inaugural BIN-GO Shop Local effort, I talked to several participating businesses about why it's important to shop small now more than ever. Plus, the rate of first-time homebuyers is at an all-time low – you'll learn about how a new partnership is looking to help more folks get into a home and build generational wealth. And, don't miss quite a few Super Simplified Stories.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
Why shopping small is worth your time this holiday season
Note: This piece is part of the month-long BIN-GO Shop Local effort sponsored by Sioux Falls Simplified and Voyage Federal Credit Union. Learn more here about the bingo game and how you can win prizes for supporting local businesses.
Simplified: It's been a tough year for many small businesses in the Sioux Falls community – and consumers are starting to see it as restaurants and retailers around town shutter. But shopping small – even for small purchases – can make a big difference in preserving the local business community.
Why it matters
- Many local businesses saw a burst of support during the pandemic, but that's since waned. Stephanie Wilde, owner of Say Anything Jewelry, said she's had the slowest November in her 15 years in business.
- Shopping local can sometimes take a little more time than hitting up an online seller, but many local retailers do have online shopping with curbside or in-store pickup options.
- That said, with in-person shopping, there's more of an experience. You're actually seeing the things you're going to purchase before you buy them and having local experts to answer any questions you might have.
"We are making genuine connections on a daily basis and giving our community that distinctive character that draws visitors to our area," said Nikole Edberg, owner of The Tail That Got Away.
But I don't like leaving the house. It's cold.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
What to consider before you adopt your next pet
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.
Simplified: Thinking of adding a new furry family member? The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society shared some pro tips for what questions to ask yourself and what plans to have in place before you adopt your next pet.
Why it matters
- Adopting a pet is an exciting time in any household, but there are a number of factors to consider before you add a new family member.
- It's important to think about your budget, lifestyle, schedule, as well as existing family members and pets when you consider adopting a new pet. Some animals have a lot of energy or require a lot of training, while others may be a better fit for people who work outside the home, for example.
- New pets also take several months to fully integrate into the family. Community Outreach Director Dana Peterson-Konzem describes the "3-3-3 rule."
"The first three days, the animal is going to be overwhelmed and nervous," she said. "The next three weeks is when you get to bond with them, and more personality comes out. The first three months is when they start to feel at home and understand the rules of the household."
What factors should I consider before adopting?
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Senate ma-John-ity leader. Ok, it doesn't pun/portmanteau as well as Noemland, but South Dakota Sen. John Thune has been elected majority leader of the U.S. Senate – the second South Dakotan in history to hold that position. Seth Tupper with South Dakota Searchlight has a great analysis of Thune's career and why this is a full-circle moment.
- The greenway's lookin' greener. The city this week celebrated the completion of phase three of the Downtown River Greenway. The stretch of greenway includes about two acres of land along the Big Sioux River near the new Steel District. Features include a new riverfront park featuring unique shelters, lounge-style seating, a field turf area, a dog-relief station, and a 1,000-foot trail connecting the greenway to Falls Park and the still-under-construction Jacobson Plaza. Here are a couple of pictures for ya:
More Super Simplified Stories
- Sanford goes west. Two Black Hills-based medical centers are joining under the Sanford Health umbrella, according to a news release sent Thursday. Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center and Black Hills Surgical Hospital will join Sanford's care network in a move Sanford CEO Bill Gasssen said will help the company establish a "more permanent presence" west-river. Dakota Scout has more context on what this means for Sanford and the state's healthcare industry.
- Help pick the next leader of Sioux Falls schools. The Sioux Falls School District has hired an Illinois-based firm to help conduct the search for the next superintendent. Supt. Jane Stavem last month announced her resignation, effective at the end of the school year. Want to offer feedback? You can fill out this survey here until Nov. 25.
- Talk road construction. The city is holding a public open house to share information on the Arrowhead Parkway and Veterans Parkway intersection reconstruction project – which is expected to start next spring and continue through 2026. Attend the open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Fred Assam Elementary. Learn more about the project here.
COMMUNITY
This program is helping people buy homes and find stable housing
Simplified: A new pilot program aims to help educate folks about their rights as tenants, the ins and outs of renting, and even potential paths to homeownership. It's all thanks to the work of Sioux Falls Thrive's Housing Action Team.
Why it matters
- It's no surprise that stable housing makes a big difference in a person's overall physical and mental health. There's also a tremendous impact on school-aged children.
- About 88% of kids in stable housing graduate high school, compared to 68% of kids without stable housing, according to stats provided by Kenley Lamberty, government affairs director with the Realtor Association of the Sioux Empire.
- The rate of first-time homebuyers is at an all-time low nationally, with first-timers making up only 24% of buyers. The average age of these buyers is 36, a significant increase from age 28 pre-pandemic.
- Homeownership also plays a huge role in creating generational wealth, Lamberty said, noting that homeowners on average have a net worth of more than $400,000, compared to about $10,000 for renters.
"You can pass that down, and now you’re giving everyone else in your family a head start," Lamberty said.
Tell me more about the class
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 Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, 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. ❤️
Special thanks to Voyage Federal Credit Union!
Don't miss your chance to earn double points on all credit card purchases this season – heck, you can even earn double points when you shop at local businesses as part of the BIN-GO Shop Local game! Learn more here.
