OTHER NEWS
Sioux Falls starts strategic planning process

By Amy Smolik
Marketing & Communications Manager

The Sioux Falls area has made significant progress in becoming a destination of choice for firms and individuals. The city is consistently ranked by Forbes, Inc. and other publications as one of the nation's best cities for business. There is also a need to assess Sioux Falls' opportunities and challenges and funnel the community's energy into a process that will focus on creating a strategy for the future.

Forward Sioux Falls, the City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and the Sioux Empire United Way have begun a process to enhance economic development activities and programs in the Sioux Falls area. Market Street Services, an Atlanta-based national economic and workforce development consulting firm, is facilitating the creation of a new economic strategy for the community which is being referred to as Future Sioux Falls.

A Steering Committee, chaired by Dana Dykhouse and composed of other community leaders, is involved each phase of the process. As part of the process, Market Street Services will complete a competitive analysis for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, a target business analysis and a marketing review in order to develop an economic development strategy.and an implementation plan for the community.

The public was invited to give input through an electronic survey about challenges and opportunities facing the Sioux Falls area. In mid-September, Market Street Services representatives held one-on-one interviews with business and community leaders as well as several focus groups. The information compiled from the survey, interviews and focus groups will be announced later this month. At the end of this six-month long effort, the Sioux Falls area will have an achievable roadmap to guide short- and long-term growth.

For more information, contact Carolyn Winchell vial Email or (605) 373-2008. Reports and other updates about the project can be found at www.futuresiouxfalls.com.