SIMPCO Attends Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner
SIMPCO staff attended the 2026 Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at the Marriott Event Center in South Sioux City. The evening featured a lively social hour, dinner, the Chamber's annual program, and a keynote presentation by renowned comedian, actor, and impressionist Frank Caliendo.
The event brought together business leaders, elected officials, and community members from across the Siouxland region to celebrate local achievements, recognize community excellence, and strengthen regional connections. It provided a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration while highlighting the continued growth and success of the Siouxland area.
SIMPCO Staff Participate in 4-State MINK Conference
SIMPCO staff attended the 4-State Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas (MINK) Planning District Conference held August 31 through September 2 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The conference brought together regional leaders from across the four-state area to share ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen partnerships through a collaborative multi-state event.
Several SIMPCO staff members presented on projects and initiatives impacting the region. Nate Kistner presented on the Trailblazer Challenge, Ryan Brauer shared information on GIS mapping projects, Bess Wolterman provided an update on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), Josh Bush presented on Financial Management, and Michelle Bostinelos discussed Best Practices for State Associations.
Participation in the conference provided valuable opportunities for SIMPCO staff to learn about innovative projects across the region, foster cross-state collaboration, and build professional networks that support continued growth and development throughout Siouxland.
SIMPCO Participates in Sioux City Park(ing) Day
SIMPCO staff recently participated in Sioux CityPark(ing) Day in downtown Sioux City, hosting a booth with community visioning activities and interactive city-building games. Held at 4th and Jones Streets, the event invited local businesses, artists, organizations, students, and community groups to transform parking spaces into temporary public parks and creative gathering places. Park(ing) Day encourages residents to reimagine how downtown spaces can be used and is celebrated annually in cities around the world.
SIMPCO Attends HousingIowa 2026
Housing Manager Jenny Anderson represented SIMPCO at the 2026 HousingIowa Conference at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, joining nearly 1,000 housing professionals from across the state. The annual conference brings together leaders, advocates, and practitioners to discuss housing challenges, share innovative solutions, and explore emerging trends in housing development and policy.
Photo Credit: Iowa Finance Authority
Throughout the conference, Jenny participated in sessions focused on housing policy, development and financing, homelessness prevention, homeownership, rental housing, compliance, and emerging trends. She also networked with state and regional partners, gaining insights that will help inform SIMPCO’s ongoing housing initiatives.
Sioux Point Pedestrian/Bike Path Officially Complete
Congratulations to the City of North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes CID on the completion of the Sioux Point Pedestrian/Bike Path connecting North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes.
SIMPCO assisted with the grant application and helped secure funding for the project through the inclusion of the MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Into the Streets Gives Back at SRTS
Each fall, Morningside University students roll up their sleeves for the university's annualInto the Streets community service day, volunteering with organizations across Siouxland. This year, several freshman basketball players spent part of their day at Siouxland Regional Transit System (SRTS), helping clean buses that provide vital transportation services throughout our seven-county region.
Their hard work and community spirit helped keep our fleet looking its best while supporting a service that connects residents to jobs, medical appointments, shopping, and more. We are grateful for the students' efforts and for Morningside University's continued commitment to giving back to the community.
SIMPCO is now an approved and certified provider of training on Iowa's Open Meetings and Open Records Laws. Join us on Tuesday, October 20, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the SIMPCO Training Room.
The training is designed for newly elected or appointed city council members, county supervisors, boards, and commissions. Participants will learn key requirements of Iowa's Open Meetings Law, open records obligations, common compliance pitfalls, and best practices for conducting public business legally and transparently. A certificate will be issued upon completion.
Cost: Free for SIMPCO members; $50 per participant for non-members.
🔗Register for the Open Meetings & Open Records Training by emailing tonia@simpco.org.
Power Half Hour: Rural Trail Planning & Funding
October 28 | 1:00 PM | SIMPCO
Interested in expanding or improving trail opportunities in your community? Join SIMPCO's next Power Half Hour: Rural Trail Planning & Funding on Wednesday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m. This free session will explore planning strategies, funding opportunities, and resources available to help rural communities develop and enhance trail systems.
Attend in person at SIMPCO, 6401 Gordon Drive, Sioux City, or join virtually online.
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Tri-State Legislative Forum onFriday, December 4, hosted by SIMPCO. This annual event brings together legislators from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota to discuss issues impacting the Siouxland region and provide updates on upcoming legislative priorities.
The forum gives local government officials, community leaders, and business representatives a chance to engage directly with elected officials and learn more about policy issues affecting our tri-state area.
🔗 Register for the Tri-State Legislative Forum at: tonia@simpco.org.
MPO & SRTPA administration of funding for STBG, CRP, and TAP funding
Monona County Port Infrastructure Development Program Grant Administration
Procurement for South Sioux City’s Dakota Avenue Study
ESF10 Document updates for Cherokee, Ida, and Plymouth counties
Sioux City Safe Routes to School Maps
Monitoring MPO trail counters for the season
Whispering Creek Extension Planning Study
Data Bike Trail Mapping
Community Development:
2027-2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update
Emerson CDBG Administration
Larrabee Municipal Code Update
Hubbard Comprehensive Plan
Larrabee CDBG Administration
Castana CDBG Administration
Woodbury County CDBG Administration
SIMPCO GIS Helps Improve Access to Food Resources Across Siouxland
SIMPCO Regional Planner and GIS Specialist Ryan Brauer partnered with the Siouxland District Health Department to develop an interactive Food Access Map that helps residents locate grocery stores, emergency food pantries, and public transit routes throughout the Siouxland region.
The map allows users to easily identify nearby food resources and see which locations are served by public transportation, helping improve access to essential services for community members.
South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants (SD) – This program helps cities and towns with a new industry coming to their community that needs new or expanded access to the industry. For more information on the South Dakota Industrial Park Road Grants, click here.Applications are due by April 15, July 15, and October 15, 2026.
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 on IEDA Enhance Iowa Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT), click here. Applications are due by TBD.
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 handle. For more information on the South Dakota Agri-Business Access Grant, click here.Applications are due by April 15, July 15, and October 15, 2026.
Iowans Create Community Mural Program - Matches a selected Iowa artist and community to plan, design, and create an original mural that showcases the community’s unique creative and cultural identity and builds civic pride and engagement.For more information on the Iowans Create Community Mural Program, click here. Applications are due by October 28, 2026.
Nebraska Land & Water Conservation Fund - Supports outdoor recreation in Nebraska by funding eligible state and local government entities to acquire, develop, and renovate parks, recreation areas, and public lands. For more information on the Land & Water Conservation Fund, click here. Applications are due by October 30, 2026.
Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund – Funding support available for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and governmental units that advance social progress in areas served by the Cable One family of brands. Funding will be concentrated in the following priority areas: education & digital literacy, hunger relief and food insecurity, and community development. For more information on the Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund, click here. Applications are due by October 31, 2026.
Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP-Local) - Funds counties and cities for low- 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 on HSIP-local, click here. Applications are due by November 15, 2026.
Grant Writing Workshops
September 29-30 | Fayette
October 7-8 | Altoona
Nonprofit, government, and education professionals are invited to attend grant writing workshops on September 29-30 in Fayette and October 7-8 in Altoona.
Participants will receive expert guidance and feedback while developing a fundable project idea, strengthening grant-writing skills, and learning how to create more competitive proposals.
Join thousands of Iowans in taking steps toward better health during the 2026 Healthiest State Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa on Wednesday, October 7.
The annual event encourages individuals, workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities to come together for a 30-minute walk to promote physical and mental well-being across Iowa. Participation is free, and local groups are encouraged to register their own walk locations and be part of the statewide movement to build healthier communities. This year's theme, #MoveForward, highlights the importance of small, healthy choices that can make a lasting impact on Iowa's future.
City leaders are invited to attend the Emergency Management Seminar on Friday, October 16, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., at the Public Safety Building in Waukee, Iowa.
Hosted by the Iowa League of Cities and Iowa Mayors Association, this seminar is designed to help local officials better understand their roles before, during, and after emergencies and disasters.
Topics will include the roles of city, county, state, and federal agencies; how cities can support county emergency management efforts; legal considerations; maintaining operations during technology disruptions; and lessons learned from communities that have experienced disasters firsthand.
This training is a valuable opportunity for mayors, council members, city administrators, clerks, and other local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and response.
AI for Everyone: Learn the Basics of Artificial Intelligence
October 28 | South Sioux City
Curious about artificial intelligence but not sure where to start? Join Northeast Community College on Wednesday, October 28, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the College Center in South Sioux City for AI for Everyone, a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to artificial intelligence. Participants will learn AI fundamentals, discover useful tools, explore effective prompting techniques, and gain insight into responsible AI use in both personal and professional settings.
To register, call 402-844-7000 or 800-348-9033 ext. 7000. When registering for the South Sioux City session, use CRN 60279. Cost: $30.
Whether you're looking to improve workplace productivity, learn a new skill, or better understand the growing role of AI in everyday life, this course offers a great opportunity to get started.
Spark Week 2026: Igniting Ideas and Opportunities Across Siouxland
November 10-13 | Sioux City
Hosted by Startup Siouxland, Spark Week 2026 is a four-day regional conference that brings together entrepreneurs, small business owners, and resource partners from across western Iowa, northeast Nebraska, and Southeast South Dakota. Attendees can expect keynote speakers, breakout sessions, a Venture School Pitch Competition, and valuable networking opportunities in downtown Sioux City.
Did you know radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can build up in homes and increase the risk of lung cancer? Rural residents can request a free radon test kit to check their home's radon levels.
If elevated levels are found, a second test may be provided to confirm the results, and qualifying households may be eligible for assistance with radon mitigation costs.
📍 Free test kits will be available at the Horn Memorial HospitalLobby in Ida Grove on Wednesday, September 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Don't miss this opportunity to protect your family's health.
Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Resources
National Preparedness Month is a great reminder to prepare for severe weather and other disasters. The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services recommends reviewing insurance coverage, safeguarding important documents, creating a home inventory, and maintaining an emergency fund and emergency kit.
SIMPCO's Disaster Assistance webpage provides resources for residents, communities, nonprofits, and businesses seeking disaster recovery information and assistance following floods, tornadoes, severe storms, and other disaster events.
Taking steps to prepare now can help make recovery faster and less stressful when the unexpected occurs.
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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