SIMPCO & SRTS will be closed on Thursday, November 27. SIMPCO will also be closed on Friday, November 28; however, SRTS services will operate on their regular schedule.

Building Connections at the South Sioux City Chamber Coffee Hour

Earlier this month, SRTS Transit Director Brian Pearson attended the South Sioux City Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee Hour, hosted by Oak View Group. The event brought together chamber members, community partners, and local leaders for a morning of coffee, conversations, and connections.

Brian had the opportunity to meet U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and discuss SIMPCO and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) services and priorities. He also spoke with Nebraska State Senator Glen Meyer on these same topics, reinforcing the importance of collaboration to advance regional transportation and safety initiatives.

SIMPCO & SRTS at Business for Breakfast

Michelle Bostinelos (Executive Director), Josh Bush (Finance Director), and Brian Pearson (SRTS Transit & Facility Director) attended the recent Business for Breakfast event featuring guest speaker Will Baggett on The A.R.T. of Connection: Authenticity, Relationships, and Trust. The session was well received, and our team enjoyed meaningful conversations about leadership, SIMPCO’s work, and personal experiences.

Congratulations to Iowa's West Coast Initiative!

We’re excited to share that Iowa’s West Coast Initiative has been awarded $30,000 in grant funding from the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) as one of five projects selected for small business development grants.

These funds will help expand Sioux City’s entrepreneurship efforts into rural counties across Iowa, strengthening opportunities for innovation and economic growth in our region.

ICOG Iowa Legislative Training Session

December 9 | Noon | Virtual Only

Led by Jon Murphy of Cope Murphy + Co, this session will help you prepare for the 2026 Legislative Session with key insights into Iowa politics and advocacy strategies.

Topics:

• Iowa Political Review
• Legislative Process Overview
• 2026 Anticipated Issues
• Key Dates & Timeline
• Q&A

Register here: Meeting Registration - Zoom

DECEMBER 5 | 9:00 AM

TRI-STATE LEGISLATIVE FORUM

📍 SIMPCO

DECEMBER 9 | 9:00 AM

IOWA'S WEST COAST INITIATIVE (IWCI)  BOARD MEETING

📍 SIOUXLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DECEMBER 10 | 7:30 AM

SIMPCO EXECUTIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE

📍 SIMPCO

DECEMBER 11 | 5:30 PM

SIMPCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS / HOLIDAY STAFF APPRECIATION BANQUET

📍 SIOUX CITY COUNTRY CLUB

JANUARY 7 | 1:30 PM

MPO TTC

📍 SIMPCO

JANUARY 8 | 1:30 AM

MPO POLICY BOARD

📍 SIMPCO

JANUARY 13 | 9:00 AM

IOWA'S WEST COAST INITIATIVE (IWCI)  BOARD MEETING

📍 SIOUXLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JANUARY 14 | 1:30 PM

SRTPA (RPA) TAC

📍 SIMPCO

JANUARY 15 | 1:00 PM

DAKOTA COUNTY NEBRASKA HOUSING TRUST FUND (DCNHTF) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

📍 NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Explore Siouxland Coffee with IWCI’s Local Grounds Passport

The Iowa’s West Coast Initiative coffee shop passports are here! For just $20, enjoy $2 off at 16 local coffee shops—a $36 value. It’s the perfect way to support local businesses and discover new favorites.

How it works:

1. Purchase your passport at iawestcoast.com/local-grounds-passport.
2. Receive it by mail.
3. Explore at your own pace over six months.
4. Present your passport for a stamp and discount at each shop.

Participating locations include Bellissimo Coffeeworks, Brekky’s, Habitué Coffeehouse, Jitters, Movillatte, and more!

ICOG Makes Open Meetings Training Easy to Access

The Iowa Association of Council of Governments has gathered all its Open Meetings and Open Records training webinars into one convenient location! These sessions are designed to help local officials and staff stay informed and compliant with Iowa’s transparency laws.

You can now find upcoming webinar dates and registration links all in one place: Explore the training resources here.

All newly appointed SIMPCO members serving on SIMPCO boards and committees are required to complete this training. This applies to members in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Help Shape the Future of Woodbury County Parks!

World GIS Day with SIMPCO

November 19 was World GIS Day, a time to recognize the power of Geographic Information Systems in shaping communities. At SIMPCO, our GIS Mapping Division provides advanced spatial analysis and high-quality mapping to support regional planning, transportation, housing, and emergency management. From interactive online maps and thematic data layers to aerial imagery and custom surveys, our GIS team helps communities make informed decisions for a stronger Siouxland.

Learn more or request GIS services: simpco.org/divisions/gis-mapping

IISC Seeking Community Partners for 2026–27

The Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities (IISC) is now accepting partner applications for the 2026–27 academic year. Communities interested in collaborating with University of Iowa students and faculty on impactful projects can submit a short interest form by January 15, 2026.

Forms are reviewed on a rolling basis, and IISC staff will follow up to schedule a Zoom conversation. Learn more and apply here: For Communities | Iowa Initiative For Sustainable Communities - School of Planning and Public Affairs | The University of Iowa

Community Grant Program RFP Now Open

The University of Iowa College of Public Health and Business Leadership Network have released the 2026 Community Grant Program Request for Proposals (RFP).

• Topic Areas: Healthy lifestyles, population health, health disparities, workplace wellness, youth issues, healthy aging, arts & health, and livable communities. Preference for rural projects and those addressing nutrition or food insecurity.
• Eligibility: Iowa nonprofits and local government entities (universities/colleges not eligible).
• Funding: Up to $3,000 per project with a 1:1 cash or in-kind match required.

Learn more here: BLN Community Grant Program – Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy

Proposals due by January 12, 2026.

Transportation:

• Inkapaduta (Little Sioux River) Water Trail
• MPO and SRTPA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Amendments
• MPO & SRTPA  administration of funding for STBG, CRP, and TAP funding
• Sioux City Lakeport Corridor Study
• MPO 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan Update
• MPO Transportation Model Update
• Distributing updated printed trail maps throughout the MPO
• Monona County Port Infrastructure Development Program Grant Administration
• Collected MPO trail counters for the season
• Procurement for South Sioux City’s Dakota Avenue Study

Community Development:

• Akron CDBG Administration
• Hinton Zoning Code Update
• Soldier Municipal Code Update
• Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Onawa Comprehensive Plan
• Ute Urban Revitalization Plan
• Marcus Urban Revitalization Plan
• Le Mars U.S. EDA Application
• South Sioux City U.S. EDA Application
• Emerson CDBG Administration
• Emerson Blight and Substandard Study
• Larrabee Municipal Code Update
• Hubbard Comprehensive Plan
• Woodbury County Conservation Needs Assessment
• Larrabee CDBG Administration
• Castana CDBG Administration
• Woodbury County CDBG Administration
• South Sioux City Income Survey
• Onawa Income Survey

Spotlight on Lily Vollertsen

Congrats to Lily Vollertsen, our Iowa’s West Coast Initiative Entrepreneurial Community Navigator Intern! Lily, a senior for the Morningside Mustangs women’s basketball team, recently hit the 1,000-point career milestone and earned GPAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after grabbing 23 defensive rebounds, plus four blocks and four steals in two big wins. We’re proud of her success on and off the court—way to go, Lily!

National Gratitude Month

At SIMPCO, we are thankful for the incredible partnerships that make our work possible. This month, we want to express our sincere appreciation to our members, partners, volunteers, and dedicated staff.

Your contributions strengthen our communities and help us advance regional planning, transportation, housing, and economic development across Siouxland.

Thank you for being an essential part of SIMPCO’s mission to build a stronger, more connected region. Together, we are making a lasting impact!

Winter Weather Safety Tips: Stay Safe on the Roads and Home

As temperatures drop and winter storms approach, it’s important to prepare for seasonal hazards. Here are a few quick reminders:

Vehicle Safety

• Inspect tires for tread and proper pressure.
• Test battery and antifreeze levels.
• Pack an emergency kit with blankets, water, snacks, and a flashlight.
• Keep windshield washer fluid rated for cold weather.
• Drive slowly and increase following distance on icy roads.

Home Safety

• Service your heating system and replace furnace filters.
• Insulate exposed pipes and allow faucets to drip during extreme cold.
• Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets.
• Stock up on salt or sand for walkways.
• Clear sidewalks and driveways promptly to prevent slips.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries if needed.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from flammable materials.
• Never use ovens or grills for heating.

Emergency Preparedness

• Stock bottled water, non-perishable food, and medications.
• Keep flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio handy.
• Prepare a family emergency plan and share it with everyone.
• Have a fire extinguisher accessible and know how to use it.

Taking these simple steps now can help prevent costly damage and keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the winter season.

• Federal Airport Improvement Program (IA) - Airports included in the National Plan of Integrated Airports (NPIAS) are eligible to apply for federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds. General aviation and small commercial service airports are required to submit preapplications for federal AIP funding through the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Modal Transportation Bureau - Aviation, including projects funded with nonprimary entitlement funds. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 19 and December 19, 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, 2026,26 and January 2, 2026. 
• Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF) – Transportation fatalities and injuries severely impact the quality of life in Indian country. Each year under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as enacted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), 4% of the available TTP funds are set aside to address transportation safety issues identified by federally recognized Indian tribes through a competitive, discretionary program. Projects are chosen whose outcomes will reduce fatal and serious injuries in transportation related incidents, such as motor vehicle crashes. For more information, click here. Applications are due by January 15, 2026.
• Community Catalyst Building Remediation (IA) – Grants to communities for the redevelopment, rehabilitation or deconstruction of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community.  Strong applications will show the potential of catalytic economic growth in the community; improve appearances & safety; make use of underutilized property, exhibit appropriate design standards; and be well-funded.  Economic growth may include the creation of additional jobs, growth of new or existing businesses, development of new housing units, increase property values, or potential population growth. For more information, click here. Pre-applications are due by January 29, 2026.  Application due by April 17, 2026.
• Destination Iowa Fund (IA) – 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 accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are due by January 15, 2026 and/or July 15, 2026.