SIMPCO & SRTS Attend 70th Annual Siouxland/ Washington Conference in Washington DC
SIMPCO Executive Director Michelle Bostinelos and SRTS Transit and Facility Director Brian Pearsonattended the 70th Annual Siouxland/Washington Conference in D.C. hosted by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.
They joined regional leaders in meeting with Senators and Representatives from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota to advocate for key Siouxland priorities. The event continues to be a vital opportunity to connect with federal officials and push for progress in our region.
SIMPCO Planners Attend ICOG Staff Retreat
Earlier this month, SIMPCO Planners Nathan Kistner and Ryan Brauer attended the ICOG Staff Retreat at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Des Moines, Iowa. They gained valuable insights into policy updates, new tools and resources, and best practices at the Iowa DOT TIP Seminar.
Nate and Ryan also participated in the MPO/RPA quarterly meeting and various breakout sessions. This experience was essential for our planners, providing them with the latest information and strategies to enhance our planning efforts.
Sioux City Metro Bike to Work Day: A Huge Success!
This year’s Bike to Work Day was an incredible celebration of community, sustainability, and pedal-powered commuting!
Thanks to our incredible sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and every cyclist who joined us. Your energy powered every moment—from first pedal to final stop.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s event on May 16, 2026. Let’s make it even bigger, greener, and more fun!
2025 Summer Trailblazer Challenge
May 23 - September 1
Get outside this summer to explore Siouxland trails and the many landmarks along the way!
For every trail segment or landmark you visit, earn one raffle entry. At the end of the summer, there will be a raffle to win prizes donated by local businesses! Participants will also have access to discounts from sponsoring businesses along the trail system.
To sign up, download the GooseChase app on your phone. Participation is FREE! Use Join Code ZSMIFZ to get started.
Contact SIMPCO Regional Planner, Nathan Kistner with questions at nathan@simpco.org.
The Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Siouxland Regional Transportation Planning Association (SRTPA) are in the process of developing the DRAFT FY 2026 - 2029 Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) with approval scheduled for June 26, 2025, for the both the SRTPA and the MPO.
The SIMPCO MPO area includes Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff in Iowa; Dakota City and South Sioux City in Nebraska; and Dakota Dunes, and North Sioux City, South Dakota. It also includes portions of Woodbury and Plymouth County, Iowa; Dakota County, Nebraska; and Union County, South Dakota.
The SRTPA area includes: the rural portions of Woodbury, Plymouth, Cherokee, Ida and Monona counties in Iowa.
The TIP is a four-year listing of transportation projects which are to be funded using State and Federal transportation dollars; this includes interstate, highway and street improvements as well as trails and transit improvements. The Draft FY 2026 - 2029 TIPs for both the SIMPCO MPO and the SRTPA are now available for public comment. The documents can be viewed on the SIMPCO website at: https://simpco.org/divisions/transportation-planning
Hard copies of the documents will be available by request by contacting SIMPCO, simpco@simpco.org or 712-279-6286.
SIMPCO staff will be holding a Public Input Meeting as an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the Draft FY 2026 – 2029 TIPs on June 10, 2025, from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at SIMPCO, 6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA. You may also join this meeting by Zoom. Please call or email SIMPCO for login information 712-279-6286 simpco@simpco.org
Please submit all comments on the Draft FY 2026 - 2029 TIPs to Michelle Bostinelos, Executive Director, SIMPCO: (712) 279-6286 or by email to mbostinelos@simpco.org by June 25, 2025.
SIMPCO Public Input Meetings are open to all individuals. Any person with a special need requiring reasonable accommodation or transportation to participate in a public input meeting should contact the SIMPCO office at (712)-279-6286 at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting.
Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff Approve 2025 Transportation Safety Action Plan
This month, Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff adopted the 2025 Transportation Safety Action Plan, funded by a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant from U.S. Department of Transportation. This plan identifies transportation projects that will improve safety on the road network for all roadway users, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.
The overarching goal of this plan is to decrease roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 50% over the next 15 years with the eventual goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries by 2055.
These funds will go toward much-needed improvements to the baseball and softball field bleachers, which have served the community for over 30 years.
Used by teams from Woodbury, Plymouth, and Cherokee counties throughout the summer, the upgraded bleachers will enhance the experience for players, families, and fans alike. This investment reflects Hinton’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, welcoming recreational spaces for all. SIMPCO is proud to have assisted the City of Hinton in securing this award winning grant.
City of Marcus Public Library Receives Accessibility Grant
The City of Marcus Public Library has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association’s Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative.
These funds will be used to enhance accessibility by purchasing large print books and screen magnifiers, making the library more inclusive for individuals with vision impairments or other reading challenges.
These new resources will also benefit senior readers and those who experience eye strain, helping ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy the library’s offerings.
SIMPCO is proud to have supported the City of Marcus in securing this impactful grant.
SIMPCO Offers Expertise in Comprehensive Planning
Did you know that SIMPCO assists communities with their comprehensive plans? A comprehensive plan is a strategic document that outlines the long-term vision, goals, and policies for a community's growth and development. It covers various aspects such as land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
At SIMPCO, we specialize in helping member communities create and update their comprehensive plans. Our team of expert planner collaborates closely with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure that each plan reflects the unique needs and aspirations of the community. We provide guidance, technical support, and resources throughout the planning process to help communities achieve their goals.
If your community is looking to develop or revise its comprehensive plan, SIMPCO is here to help. Contact SIMPCO today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for your community.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Best Practice for Food Entrepreneurs Workshop | June 17
Do you have questions about food labeling, food safety basics, and food entrepreneur resources? Check outISU Extension and Outreach - Woodbury County upcoming workshop on June 17 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County office for a perfect opportunity to get answers! Event is free and open to everyone.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) is requesting input from communities impacted by the 2024 flood disaster (FEMA DR-4796-IA) to help shape Iowa’s Unmet Needs Assessment and Action Plan. This will guide how $134.7 million in federal CDBG-DR funds are used for long-term recovery.
80 percent of the funds will support Clay, Cherokee, Sioux, and Woodbury counties, while the remaining 20 percent may assist other federally declared disaster areas in Iowa.
Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for May 16 and June 2, 2025. Community members are also encouraged to complete a short online survey by June 2, 2025.
Your feedback is essential to ensuring recovery efforts meet the real needs of Iowa communities.
Explore Key Drivers of Successful Downtowns with the Iowa Downtown Resource Center
Participants can connect with neighboring communities and the Iowa Downtown Resource Center staff as they explore the top 10 key drivers of thriving downtowns — from capacity building and business development to establishing a strong local identity. How many of these fundamentals can they identify and implement in their own community?
Attendees will gain valuable insights through real-world examples from across the state at one of four Downtown Forums in June, presented by the Iowa Downtown Resource Center.
This month, we're focusing on the importance of choosing fun over food when it comes to rewarding our kids. Using food as a reward can teach children to eat when they're not hungry, a habit that could last a lifetime. It also sends the message that achievements should be celebrated with eating, which can undermine the healthy nutrition practices taught at home.
Instead, let's swap out food rewards for fun, memorable moments! Whether it's a special outing, extra playtime, or a creative activity, these alternatives can create lasting positive memories without relying on food. Join us in making June a month of awesome, healthy rewards!
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) – This program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A program provides funding for two types of grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants provide Federal funds to develop, complete, or supplement an Action Plan. Implementation Grants provide Federal funds to implement projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan to address roadway safety problem. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 26, 2025.
Nebraska CDBG Tourism Development (NE) – The purpose of the Tourism Development (TD) Category is to provide investments in effective and affordable tourist attraction facilities to quality communities that are investing in long-term development. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2025.
Nebraska CDBG Economic Development (NE) – The objective of the Economic Development (ED) category is to assist businesses that expand the state’s economic base, and which create quality jobs principally benefiting employees in the low- and moderate-income levels. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2025.
Nebraska CDBG Tourism Development (NE) - The purpose of the Tourism Development (TD) Opportunity is to provide investments in effective and affordable tourist attraction facilities to quality communities that are investing in long-term development. This provides a sound basis for assisting tourist attraction projects that have attracted significant financial support and are likely to have long-term positive impacts on their local and regional economies. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2025.
MRHD Economic Development Match Grant – Designed to bring other funders together, and to support economic development projects within Woodbury County that need potentially higher levels of funding and collaboration. Grants are awarded annually on the basis of merit as determined by the Grant Review Committee and ratified by the MRHD Board of Directors. For more information, click here. Applications are due by June 30, 2025.
IDOT Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program - The crossing safety program participates in the cost of safety improvements at public highway-railroad grade crossings. These funds are used to install new crossing signal devices, to upgrade existing signals, and to provide low-cost improvements; such as increased sight distance, widened crossings, increased signal lens size, or crossing closures. However, the available funding allows only a limited number of safety improvements each year. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2025.
IDOT Recreational Trails Program – The Iowa Transportation Commission approved a one-time, $5 million allocation of funding to partially offset COVID-19-related reductions in the SRT program. The activities eligible for funding under this program can go towards the acquisition, construction of new trails, maintenance, resurfacing, and restoration of existing recreational trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages.For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2025.
Iowa CDBG Water and Sewer Fund – Funds awarded through this annual competitive program assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water, and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and rural water connections. For more information, click here. Applications are due by April 1, 2025, July 1, 2025, October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2025.
Iowa Solid Waste Alternatives Program (IA) – Programs to encourage landfill alternatives – recycling, diversion, new technologies, new manufacturing processes, etc. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 1, 2025, and January 2, 2025.
IDOT Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program | Targeted Jobs Creation/Retention and Rail Network Improvements - The Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant (RRLG) Program provides financial assistance to improve rail facilities that will create jobs, spur economic activity, and improve the rail transportation system in Iowa. The program is funded through appropriations from the state legislature and repayments from loans for rail development projects funded in the past. For the FY 2026 round, we anticipate approximately $3.3 million available for eligible projects. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 3, 2025.
South Dakota Community Access Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means for small towns to pave or reconstruct important local roads such as their Main Street. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2025.
South Dakota Agri-Business Access Grant (SD) – This program is a means for local governments to address road needs associated with new agri-business, such as ethanol plants, large-scale elevators, etc. In many cases, these new agri-businesses create additional truck traffic that an existing road may not be built to take. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2025.
South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants (SD) – This program is a means to assist cities and towns that have a new industry coming to their community and need new or expanded access to the industry. For more information, click here. Applications are due by July 15, 2025.
Destination Iowa Fund – Projects will attract visitors and new residents to the state and bolster the quality of life in Iowa’s rural communities. The aim is to make strategic investments that yield lasting results and create a positive ripple effect throughout the community. These projects will not only address immediate needs but also contribute to long-term sustainability and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. For more information, click here. Pre-applications are due between July 22, 2024-May 14, 2025. Applications are due by January 15, 2025 and/or July 15, 2025.
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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