As we kick off the new year, SIMPCO is thrilled to celebrate our 60th Anniversary! Our journey began on March 11, 1965, with a meeting of eight local Siouxland governments in Sioux City, followed by our first organizational meeting on April 15, 1965. The formation of SIMPCO was driven by three key needs:
A new Missouri River Bridge between South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa (now the I-129 bridge).
Compliance with the 1962 Federal Highway Act, which required comprehensive transportation planning for urban areas over 50,000 people.
A forum to discuss regional issues, including transportation, water/wastewater infrastructure, flood control, and quality of life.
Sixty years later, SIMPCO remains a catalyst for regional cooperation, uniting local governments in long-range planning, community development, economic development, and transportation. Here are some highlights from Fiscal Year 2024:
$426 million in Federal, state, and local funds programmed for regional transportation projects.
$13.6 million awarded for transportation infrastructure projects.
Assistance to five communities on water/wastewater projects, securing $556,950 in grant funds.
$796,392 in transportation planning funds awarded to maintain and improve the transportation network.
Over half a million dollars in grant funds expended for housing rehab projects in 15 communities.
Rehabilitation of 23 owner-occupied homes, including projects for veterans, elderly, and disabled households.
Approximately $152,000 awarded for planning, research, and technical services.
Assistance with grant applications resulting in $383,900 in awarded funds for economic development improvements.
Six award-winning grants totaling $260,000 for community space improvements.
$45,000 awarded for quality of life improvements for senior citizens and children.
$137,500 awarded to complete a Hazard Mitigation Plan for five counties.
Collaboration with four communities on emergency mitigation and management grants.
We are proud of our accomplishments and excited to continue serving Siouxland. Join us in celebrating our 60th anniversary on June 26, 2025, at the Warrior Hotel in downtown Sioux City. We hope to see you there!
SIMPCO Announces Officer Elections
The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) is pleased to announce the election of new officers for its Board of Directors and various boards and committees. These elections mark a significant step in our ongoing commitment to effective governance and community engagement.
Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) Board of Directors:
Chairman: Jon Winkel, Mayor, Sergeant Bluff
Vice Chairman: Dan Moore, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Sioux City
Secretary: Kelly Kreber, Mayor, City of Hinton
Treasurer: Lance Hedquist, City Administrator, City of South Sioux City
Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS) Board of Directors:
Chairman: Vince Phillips, Supervisor, Monona County
Vice Chairman: Devlun Whiteing, Supervisor, Ida County
Chairman: Ken Beaulieu, Council Chairman, Dakota Dunes CID
Vice Chairman: Craig Anderson, Supervisor, Plymouth County
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC):
Chairman: Jeff Williams, Engineer, Ida County
Vice Chairman: Thomas Rohe, Supervisor, Plymouth County
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Policy Board:
Chairman: Vince Phillips, Supervisor, Monona County
Vice Chairman: Devlun Whiteing, Supervisor, Ida County
Western Iowa Community Improvement Regional Housing Trust Fund:
Chairman: Vince Phillips, Supervisor, Monona County
Vice Chairman: Devlun Whiteing, Supervisor Ida County
These individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles. We are confident in their ability to guide our organization towards ongoing regional and community success. Together, we strive to cultivate a thriving, resilient region that benefits all residents.
IWCI has recently added a new page of resources to their website allowing small business owners stay ahead of the competition with IWCI's upcoming trainings and webinars designed specifically for small business owners. Whether you're looking to improve your marketing, enhance operations, or boost your leadership skills, our expert-led sessions provide actionable insights to help your business thrive. Check it out here: https://iawestcoast.com/upcoming-trainings.
Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) applications are open to the Iowa portion of the Sioux City Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and to the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) area including Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida and Monona counties in Iowa.
Each year, approximately $2.8 million is available in STBG funds and $267,000 in CRP funds for the Sioux City metro area. Additionally, approximately $2.3 million is available to the rural area which can be used to preserve and improve the condition and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge, public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Applications for the metro area (MPO) are due February 7 and applications for the rural area (SRTPA) are due February 14.
In addition, each year approximately $281,000 is available in TAP funds for the Sioux City metro area and $220,000 to the rural area which can be used to fund a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, and community improvements such as historic preservation, vegetation management, and some environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity. Applications for the metro area (MPO) are due February 7 and applications for the rural area (SRTPA) are due February 14.
Questions or need additional information? Please contact Regional Planning Manager, Corinne Erickson, by email at corinne@simpco.org or call 712-279-6286.
Residents of Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Woodbury, and Plymouth counties are encouraged to provide feedback on the update to the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan, originally approved by FEMA in 2020, aims to prepare for and minimize risks from natural disaster and other hazardous events. Your input is valuable in ensuring the plan remains effective and relevant to the community's needs.
Moville Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant Application
Emerson CDBG Administration
Ida Grove IDNR Derelict Building Grant Application
SRTS Seeking $12M Grant for Expansion!
Learn how SRTS aims to secure a $12M grant for expanding indoor bus facilities in Sioux City and Le Mars! Hear from SRTS Transit Director, Brian Pearson, on the impact of frigid temperatures and future plans in this Sioux City Journal article.
Success Story: City of Marcus Community Trail Project
The City of Marcus constructed their Community Trail project this summer, after about six years of fundraising. The project was spearheaded by the Marcus Trail Committee, an organization run by extremely dedicated volunteers who coordinated with the city and the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) to identify and apply for numerous funding opportunities. They also organized community fundraising events, such as 5k color runs, t-shirt sales, outreach at local events, and other engaging activities to drive donations. SIMPCO had the joy of contributing to this project with the distribution of Iowa DOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding totaling $329,900 and assistance writing successful grant applications totaling $120,000. The total construction cost was roughly $800,000. This project was truly a grassroots effort, with contributions also coming from the City of Marcus, numerous local businesses, the Cherokee County Foundation, and many private donors.
Employee Spotlight
Joshua Bush - Finance Director
At SIMPCO we believe that our team is our greatest asset to our organization. That is why we are excited to share with you our Employee Spotlight Series. January's Employee Spotlight is Joshua Bush.
Josh joined SIMPCO in 2021 as Senior Accountant bringing a wealth of experience and a keen eye for detail. His dedication and expertise quickly became evident, leading to his promotion in 2023 to the pivotal role of Finance Director. As Finance Director, Josh plays a crucial role in shaping the financial strategy and ensuring the fiscal health of the organization. his leadership and vision are instrumental in driving SIMPCO's success and stability.
To help us learn more about Josh, we asked him a series of questions. Here's what we discovered.
1) What's the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Knowing all the hard work we do goes towards helping and improving out local communities.
2) What was your first job/position?
My first job was working on the family farm growing up. I would have to feed the hogs and sheep, clean the pins, help out in the fields, and other various farm tasks.
3) What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Become a sponge. Learn what employees in other departments do, even clients and vendors. Knowing their work and processes better improves your work and relationship with them.
4) What destination do you want to travel to and why?
Kentucky and Tennessee. I am a bourbon fan so I want to travel there to visit multiple distilleries and see all of the variety of brewing processes.
5) What is your favorite hobby, activity, or creative outlet?
My favorite hobby about be board/tabletop gaming. Currently painting miniatures for a tabletop game which I have never done before.
2025 Iowa Profile Webinar
Learn about the updates to the 2025 Iowa Profile!
Join the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Economic Development Authority and mySidewalk for an informative webinar on February 6 at 1:00 p.m. We’ll showcase updates to the 2025 Iowa Profile, including new statewide and county housing forecasts, as well as refreshed data across key dashboards covering demographics, quality of life, economy, and housing.
During the session, we’ll highlight the latest features of this powerful tool, which empowers community leaders to make data-driven decisions for the future. The Iowa Profile is the state’s first-of-its-kind platform, providing customized reports and enabling comparisons with similar regions, offering valuable insights based on regularly updated data from diverse sources.
Join the Iowa League of Cities for a conversation on building relationships and coordinating advocacy at the local and state levels to best serve our communities. Connect with legislators and share your experiences at the Capitol to educate state leaders on the tools and support Iowa cities need to govern locally.
Hosted by the City of Dubuque, Iowa, the Growing Sustainable Communities Conference is the largest and longest- standing sustainability conference in the Midwest and will be held again at the Grand River Center located in the Port of Dubuque at 500 Bell Street. The annual conference will be two days of education, inspiration and collaboration on topics of interest to anyone who cares about creating great towns and cities that stand the test of time.
USDA Rural Development Launches New Clean Energy Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development is excited to announce the launch of a new Clean Energy website, a proactive approach to promote clean energy projects in rural America. The website is a platform for identifying federal funding opportunities and transforming, developing, or procuring clean energy production in these areas.
Expanding clean energy sources in rural communities will boost economic growth while lowering electricity costs for businesses and families. These programs will also support renewable energy infrastructure and zero-emission systems. Investing in these technologies will significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce climate pollution. This helps to enhance the sustainability and resilience of rural communities.
The new Clean Energy website contains information on funding and incentives necessary to bring clean energy projects to life, training resources for community benefit plans, resources for farmers to implement projects as a source of income, information on current clean energy projects by state, and more. Rural Development is transforming rural America for a brighter and greener future by connecting these communities to federal resources.
IDOT Rise Grant (IA) – Projects funded by the RISE program promote economic development in Iowa through the establishment, construction, and improvement of roads and streets. The RISE program is targeted toward value-adding activities that feed new dollars into the economy and provide maximum economic impact to the state on primary or secondary roads, and city streets open for public use. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 1, 2025.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program (IA) – STBG provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for transportation projects. The intent of these projects is to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge, public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Each year, approximately $3 million is available in STBG funds for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 7, 2025. Iowa members only.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) (IA) – Federal formula program within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) administered by the FHA to help states develop carbon reduction strategies with required input from the MPO. Projects will follow the CRP goal to reduce carbon emissions on and off-roadways. Funding available for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 7, 2025. Iowa members only.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP) (IA) – The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Over $300,000 in TAP funds is available for communities within the Sioux City metro area including Sioux City, Sergeant Bluff, Woodbury County and Plymouth County. Applications are available on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 7, 2025. Iowa members only.
Downtown Assessment Application (IA) - The Iowa Downtown Resource Center will select up to six communities for a Downtown Assessment in 2025. These on-site visits involve a study of the downtown district followed by a written report detailing recommendations for revitalization. Any Iowa community that’s interested in applying for this opportunity must apply by noon, February 7, 2025. A letter of support from the city is a requirement of the application. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 7, 2025.
Paint Iowa Beautiful – Through a partnership between the Keep Iowa Beautiful organization and Diamond Vogel Paint of Orange City, Iowa, groups can receive paint for community enhancement projects and parks. Thousands of gallons of paint have been donated to community groups through the Paint Iowa Beautiful program, which provides paint at no charge to a wide variety of public service projects throughout Iowa. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 14, 2025.
All American City Awards – AAC brings together communities from across the country and provides an opportunity for innovative leaders and passionate citizens to connect with and learn from their peers. The Award shines a light on communities that are working to tackle tough issues and lifts these places up for national recognition. For more information, click here. Letter of intent is due by December 30, 2024, with application due by February 27, 2025.
IEDA Enhance Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) – Funds for capital projects, such as trails, libraries, community centers, pavilions, entertainment venues, museums, recreational facilities, and more. (Eligible: local governments and certain nonprofits). For more information, click here. Quarterly. Applications are due by February 15, 2024.
Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (NE) – The CCCFF program provides grants and state aid for the development of civic, community, and recreation centers. The CCCFF program supports enhances and grows the Good Life throughout Nebraska. For more information, click here. Letters of intent are due by January 15, 2025. Applications are due by February 15, 2025.
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program (IA) – STBG provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for transportation projects. The intent of these projects is to preserve and improve the conditions and performance on any Federal-aid highway, bridge, public road, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Each year, approximately $2.3 million is available in STBG funds for rural areas and communities located in Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona Counties in Iowa. Applications are available now on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 14, 2025.
Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside Program (IA) – The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Each year, approximately $220,000 in TAP funds are available for rural communities located in Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida, and Monona Counties, In Iowa. Other eligible entities include natural resource or public land agencies; school districts, local education agencies or schools; Tribal governments; and nonprofit entities. Applications are available now on the SIMPCO website and are due by February 14, 2025.
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program - A competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help make surface transportation more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. This NOFO offers a total of up to $876 million in funding through two application periods, including up to $576 million for FYs 2024 and 2025, and up to $300 million for FY 2026. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 24, 2025.
All American City Awards – AAC brings together communities from across the country and provides an opportunity for innovative leaders and passionate citizens to connect with and learn from their peers. The Award shines a light on communities that are working to tackle tough issues and lifts these places up for national recognition. For more information, click here.Letter of intent is due by December 30, 2024. Applications are due by February 27, 2025.
Iowa DNR Derelict Building Grant Program – Funding to assist small communities and rural counties in addressing derelict buildings through deconstruction, renovation/mothballing, and/or conducting environmental studies. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 28, 2025.
Rural Business Development Grant – The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 28, 2025.
BOOST Program (IA) - The Rural Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program aims to provide teams of experts to assist passionate community and business leaders in developing intentional plans for next step growth. This program is designed for rural communities to receive personalized technical assistance for identifying and implementing action steps to launch into the next stage of success. For more information, click here. Applications are due by February 28, 2025.
USDA Community Facilities Director Loan/Grant Program
OPEN DEADLINE
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and/or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses. Questions? Contact your local RD office.
EDA’s Public Works program helps distressed communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure.
This program enables communities to attract new industry, encourage business expansion, diversify local economies, generate local investment, and create or retain long-term jobs through land acquisition, development, and infrastructure improvement projects that establish or expand industrial or commercial enterprises.
Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) & Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS), 6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, Iowa 51106, 712-279-6286
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