SIMPCO and Iowa Waste Exchange hosted a hands-on workshop on October 23 to help Iowa communities tackle abandoned and unsafe structures.
Reid Bermel, Iowa DNR Senior Environmental Specialist, shared expert tips on navigating the Derelict Building Grant program, while Paige Alesch discussed strategies for diverting materials from landfills and finding sustainable reuse options.
SIMPCO Executive Director Attends ICOG Fall Retreat
SIMPCO Executive Director recently participated in the Iowa Association of Councils of Governments (ICOG) Directors’ Fall Retreat, held at the scenic Honey Creek Resort in Moravia, Iowa. The retreat brought together COG leaders from across the state to collaborate on shared challenges, explore innovative strategies, and discuss priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. The event fostered meaningful partnerships and strengthened the collective vision for regional development and intergovernmental cooperation.
SIMPCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION
📍 SIMPCO
NOVEMBER 13 | NOON
SIMPCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
📍 SIMPCO
NOVEMBER 20 | 9:30 AM
SRTPA (RPA) POLICY BOARD
📍 SIMPCO
NOVEMBER 20 | 10:00 AM
SRTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
📍 SIMPCO/SRTS
DECEMBER 2 | 3:00 PM
DAKOTA COUNTY RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (RED)
📍 SIMPCO
DECEMBER 5 | 8:30 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
Honoring Our Heroes: Veterans Day Events Across the SIMPCO Region
As Veterans Day approaches, SIMPCO is proud to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Communities across our region are hosting events to celebrate and support veterans. We encourage everyone to attend, participate, and show appreciation for our local heroes.
Below is a roundup of Veterans Day events happening in our member communities:
Veterans Pancake Breakfast Sgt. Bluff American Legion Post 662, 901 Topaz Dr Wednesday, November 5 | 8:00–10:00 AM
Veterans Day Turkey Supper Kingsley Community Center, 207 E 1st St, Kingsley, IA Wednesday, November 5 | 5:00–7:00 PM Dine-in or carry-out
5th Annual Vet Together Event DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, IA Thursday, November 6 | 5:00–7:00 PM Enjoy snacks, drinks, door prizes, information, and camaraderie
Hinton American Legion Post 477 Veterans Appreciation Supper Hinton Community Center, 205 W Main St, Hinton, IA Friday, November 7 | 5:30–7:00 PM
Holstein American Legion Steak Fry Fundraiser 121 North Main St, Holstein, IA Friday, November 8 | 5:30–8:30 PM $50 ticket donation | Dine-in or carry-out
Veterans Day Celebration: Chili Supper & Live Music Correctionville Community Center, 312 Driftwood St Sunday, November 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM Featuring The Marksmen III
Veterans Day Meal & Celebration Onawa Community Center, 320 10th St, Onawa, IA Sunday, November 9 | 12:30 PM Guest Speaker: American Legion Iowa Department Commander, Darrin Alderson
Veterans Day Pork Loin Dinner Anthon American Legion Hall, 214 E Main St, Anthon, IA Sunday, November 9 | 4:00–7:00 PM Dine-in, carry-out, or delivery (call 712-870-8802)
Veterans Free Breakfast Lohff-Schumann Memorial Community Center, 301 Lohff-Schumann Dr, Holstein, IA Tuesday, November 11 | 6:00–9:30 AM
Veterans Day Breakfast & Quilts of Valor Presentation Moville Community Center, 815 Main St, Moville, IA Tuesday, November 11 | 5:30 AM
Veterans Day Ceremony + Ribbon Cutting Siouxland Freedom Park, 1801 Veterans Drive, South Sioux City, NE Tuesday, November 11 | 10:30–11:30 AM - At 10:30 AM, a ribbon cutting will be held for the new “Our Place to Remember” recording studio exhibit, which allows veterans to share their stories. - At 11:00 AM, a Veterans Day Ceremony will follow. The Brigadier General Bud and Doris Day Interpretive Center will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for those wishing to pay their respects.
Veterans Day Fundraiser
American Legion Club, 110 Plymouth St SW, Le Mars, IA Thursday, November 13 | 5:00–7:00 PM Complimentary meals for veterans | Free-will donations support Boys and Girls State
SIMPCO Shout-Out: Honoring Our Own We proudly recognize and thank all veterans within the SIMPCO and SRTS teams for their service to our country. Your dedication and commitment make a lasting impact on our communities.
Holiday Notice: In observance of Veterans Day, the SIMPCO office will be closed on November 11, 2025. Please note: SRTS will remain open for transportation services.
Municipal Leadership Academy - Registration Opening Soon!
Part One - Begins December
MLA is designed to help all city officials better understand their role in municipal government and how to effectively serve their community. It is widely considered essential training for mayors and council members, especially those recently elected to office. MLA Part One will begin December 2025.
The first MLA segment covers city government basics through five statewide workshops and one virtual session. Topics include:
Building effective city councils and streamlining municipal operations
SIMPCO members are invited to join ICOG’s virtual Iowa Legislative Training Session on Monday, December 9 at 12:00 PM, led by Jon Murphy of Cope Murphy + Co.
This session will help participants prepare for the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session, covering:
Iowa’s political landscape
Legislative process overview
Key issues for 2026 (including ICOG priorities)
Timeline and important dates
Q&A (questions can be submitted in advance)
Jon Murphy brings over 30 years of experience in political strategy and advocacy. His firm has represented ICOG for more than a decade.
Upcoming Virtual Workshop: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
December 11
Join the National League of Cities for an informative workshop on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, a federal initiative aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. This session will guide local governments through the process of applying for SS4A Planning and Implementation grants, which can support:
Development of comprehensive safety action plans
Redesign of high-risk corridors
Infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic calming measures
Learn how your community can leverage SS4A funding to enhance roadway safety and better serve all road users.
South Dakota Annual Report Workshop - Small Cities
January 21 - Virtual
Join the South Dakota Municipal League and the Department of Legislative Audit for a free virtual workshop on preparing your municipality’s annual report.
This workshop is essential for finance officers, clerks, auditors, and treasurers. Learn how to complete all types of annual report forms with expert guidance from DLA staff.
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 LB 840: Driving Local Economic Growth in Nebraska
Nebraska communities have a powerful tool for economic development: LB 840, the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act. This program allows cities and villages to use locally collected tax revenue to fund projects that attract new businesses, improve infrastructure, and support local enterprises. Voter-approved and community-driven, LB 840 helps create jobs and strengthen local economies.
If your community is exploring ways to boost business growth or revitalize downtown areas, LB 840 is worth considering. Learn more about LB 840 here.
While LB 840 is specific to Nebraska, it demonstrates how local option taxes can drive economic growth. Similar strategies may be explored in other states.
Iowa DOT Seeks Public Input on Statewide Transportation Planning Process
The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is inviting feedback from non-metropolitan local officials and stakeholders on its draft cooperative process related to statewide transportation planning.
This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on how effectively the Iowa DOT collaborates with non-metropolitan communities in shaping transportation plans that impact our region.
SIMPCO encourages local leaders and community members to participate in this important review process to ensure rural voices are heard in statewide transportation planning.
Wastewater & Drinking Water Treatment Financial Assistance (IA) - Provides grant funding to Iowa communities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. Awards are determined annually by a committee comprising representatives from the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 3, 2025.
Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP-Local) - Funds counties and cities for low-cost to medium-cost systemic safety improvements. The program has the goal of reducing fatalities and serious injury crashes. Common projects have included sign and post reflectivity, upgraded pavement markings, centerline and shoulder/edge line rumble strips, paved shoulders and guardrail. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 15, 2025.
FHWA Bridge Investment Program – The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs. For more information, click here.Applications are due by November 1, 2025.
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.
IDALS Urban Conservation Projects - Projects can range from site scale to watershed scale stormwater management practices. Projects may utilize one or multiple stormwater management practices to manage the water quality improvement goals. For more information, click here. Pre-applications are due by November 21, 2025.
Fish Habitat Program (IA) - Funding assistance is available to County Conservation Boards for land acquisition and development of fish habitat. Eligible projects include: physical placement of fish habitats in pond, lakes, pits and streams, armoring of pond, lake pit and stream shores, construction of aeration systems, dredging of ponds or lakes, construction of sediment retaining basins, repair of lake dams and outlets, manipulation of fish populations, removal of dams, construction of fish ladders, fish barriers and rock-faced jetties. For more information, click here. Applications are due by November 28, 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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