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COVER STORY
Looking out for Sioux Falls
New Mayor plans to work with citizens, organizations for city's good
Chamber's advocacy efforts benefit region
Be informed about business issues, Chamber positions
New Mayor plans to work with citizens,
organizations for city's good
by Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager
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| Mike Huether started his position as Mayor on May 17, from top to bottom: Mike Huether is sworn in as Mayor by Judge Charles L. Nail, Jr., while Huether's wife, Cindy, and daughter, Kylie, look on. Mayor Mike Huether is ready to work. Mayor Mike Huether speaks to attendees at the recent Family Park Ribbon Cutting, which was a partnership between the city, state and Soukup family. |
In his first few weeks in office, Mayor Mike Huether has laid out an aggressive priority list and has already started affecting change in South Dakota's largest city — from shifting the view inside his office to scrutinizing the 2011 budget.
"I want to infuse business acumen in city government," he said, touting his 25 years of business experience working for Citi and PREMIER Bankcards. "We're bringing the financial reviewing process used in business into city government. I want to challenge the status quo at a much greater level."
Huether, who took office on May 17, is focusing on commitments he made during the campaign, such as: fiscal responsibility, affordable airfare, repairing the city's basic infrastructure, building an events center, transparency within city government and challenging the status quo: "Just because things have worked well in the past doesn't mean that they can't be done better. I'll be analyzing the status quo at a level that's not been done."
For city employees and organizations like the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, that means change — which Huether thinks of as a good thing. "I'm tackling issues people want tackled and am excited about doing it. There is so much we can accomplish and changes will need to be made," he said. "But I can't do it by myself. I need business leaders, organizations like the Chamber and prior civic leaders, the people of Sioux Falls and the 1,100 city employees to meet these goals. I'm confident in the people of Sioux Falls enough to think we can get it all done."
The City of Sioux Falls and Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Forward Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Sioux Empire United Way, Minnehaha County and Lincoln County, partnered in a strategic economic development planning process called Future Sioux Falls. The process is now complete and moving into the implementation phase. Huether said he is grateful to these entities and leaders for being proactive in preparing for Sioux Falls' future. Working with economic development organizations like Forward Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and the Chamber — and staying out of their way — is also on Huether's priority list. "I would love to be an advocate for these organizations if they need a cheerleader, ambassador or resources — I want to help lead that effort," he said. He also feels it's time to make high-profile leaders in Minnesota "mad" again — as well as those in Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota — and for people to in those states to say, "there's another company that left for Sioux Falls."
Advocating for more economic development opportunities may require the mayor to work with state legislators and the governor's office. The next four years, the city will be much more visible in statewide issues and willing to take on lead roles touting why something needs to be done or why bills need to be passed, Huether said. There are also times where it's better if Sioux Falls is a player on the team rather than being the starting pitcher. Huether wants to be cautious with what we support and do what we can to not be perceived as the sole voice on an issue.
"As mayor, I'll go forward to explain that as Sioux Falls goes, so does a lot of South Dakota, as far as generating revenue for the state. I'm looking forward to working with the new administration in Pierre, whoever is elected, and sharing that we can't do things the way they've always been done," Huether said.
Meeting Sioux Falls' infrastructure needs, both current and future, is a challenge in the current economy. Huether is working with city staff to direct funds to repair, refurbish and rebuild basic infrastructure from roads to parks along the city core's neighborhoods. Savings from other projects are being used to shore up the city's streets. He'd like to see a new event center built in the next four years to replace the Sioux Falls Arena. "I want the event center built before my term ends — not just a groundbreaking, but built, and we are taking steps to make that happen," he said. "I want Sioux Falls to be able to enjoy this new facility and that it's something we're proud of for generations to come."
Without broad-based support from the community, however, the event center might not happen, he said. The younger generation must have a voice in voting for the project, he said. It's not just with the event center where younger residents can have an impact — Huether would like to see community organizations and various city committees and task forces utilize younger, newer voices and include those with diverse backgrounds as well.
"In order to accomplish our goals, we'll need the younger generation to play a role, to step up and help make our city better. We can't keep going back to the same pool of people; we've got to give others a chance to shine and I challenge people to shake things up," he said. "We are capturing opportunities that are sitting there. Don't be fearful of change — embrace it. We've done good things in the past and we can do so much more."
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Chamber's advocacy efforts benefit region
by Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager
Perhaps one of the most valuable benefits of Chamber membership is the Chamber's role in advocacy at the local, state and federal levels, as well as the opportunities the Chamber provides for members to interact with elected officials. Following are just some of the ways the Chamber is working hard for business:
 LOCAL
The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce employs a full-time lobbyist, Public Affairs & Communications Director Bob O'Connell, and attends all Sioux Falls City Council, Sioux Falls School Board and Minnehaha County Commission meetings. By keeping tabs at the local government level, the Chamber can advocate for business and work with elected officials to continue Sioux Falls' positive business climate. Each week the Chamber sends out Closer Look, an electronic publication that tracks activities of the Sioux Falls City Council, Sioux Falls School Board, Minnehaha County Commission and Lincoln County Commission.
S TATE
At the state level, the Chamber lobbies for business full-time during the legislative session. Members are encouraged to contact the Chamber with any questions about legislation. Each year, the Chamber also provides an opportunity to travel to Pierre for "Sioux Falls Day at the Legislature." Members can also meet with area legislators at four legislative coffees scheduled during the session. During the session, the electronic publication Legislative Lookout is sent to members to keep them on top of current legislative activity in real time.
 FEDERAL
In recent months, many federal issues have impacted business at local and state levels. Occasionally, the Chamber's Board of Directors may take a position on federal issues; these positions are then communicated with members and posted online. The Chamber leadership communicates regularly with South Dakota's Congressional delegation about issues of importance to Sioux Falls and the region. Each member of the delegation is invited to individually hold an "Inside Washington" lunch with Chamber members to share information about what's happening in Washington, D.C. and to answer questions from Chamber members.
Building on its advocacy, the Chamber's Young Professionals Network, now with more than 550 members, was the recent recipient of a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to engage 18- to 40-year-olds and raise the level of civic participation. Members and the community at-large will be hearing more about the project in the coming months.
The Chamber does not take positions on candidates running for office at any level, but does provide information and forums for members to be able to be better informed voters. Candidate forums are held for city council and school board elections and information about the candidates running for those offices is also included online at www.chambernews.com and in the print edition of Chamber News if space allows.
Members also have an opportunity to weigh in on the business lobby: each year, members are surveyed about legislative issues. The Chamber uses these survey results to develop its legislative platform and to guide lobbying efforts.
For more information about public affairs programs, contact Bob O'Connell at (605) 336-1620.
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Be informed about business issues,
Chamber positions
by Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager
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| Legislative Lookout and Closer Look are published by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and detail activities of local and state government. |
Want to know what issues could be affecting your business? The Chamber keeps tabs on local issues by attending all Sioux Falls City Council, Sioux Falls School Board and Minnehaha County Commission meetings.
Agenda items and actions taken by these entities relevant to the business community are sent to Chamber members via the electronic publication Closer Look. Each week, this HTML publication is emailed out to Chamber members and lets them know recent activities and upcoming agenda items. Though the Chamber does not attend every Lincoln County Commission meeting, these agenda items are also included in the publication.
During the legislative session, Lobbyist and Public Affairs & Communications Director Bob O'Connell tracks business bills and other legislative activity in Legislative Lookout. This electronic publication is published only during the session and emailed to members several times per week.
Chamber members and their employees can receive both of these electronic publications at no cost.
In recent years, the Chamber Board of Directors has taken positions on Federal issues such as cap and trade, the Employee Free Choice Act (known as card check) and health care reform. To find the position statements adopted by the Board or read other resolutions, go to the Media Releases page at www.ChamberNews.com.
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OTHER CHAMBER PUBLICATIONS
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