Sept. 6, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

Complex problems require creative solutions.

That’s especially true when it comes to housing, which is a consistent and persistent need across the Sioux Falls metro area. An upcoming event, however, will begin to help address the issue.

Filling the space between housing needs and existing supply will be the focus of the upcoming 2023 Sioux Metro Growth Alliance Growth Summit, which will be Sept. 20-21 in Brandon.

Sharese Ihnen has seen the need from multiple angles.

A broker associate with Hegg Realtors by day, she also serves as board president of the Lennox Area Development Corporation and vice chair of the board of Sioux Metro Growth Alliance.

We sat down with Ihnen to learn more.

Big picture: When you look at issues and priorities identified by the communities of the Sioux Falls metro area, how does housing rank, and why do you think that is?

Housing ranks at or towards the top. Without housing options, whether temporary housing or permanent housing, communities in the Sioux Falls metro struggle to attract and support growth. The lack of housing options for employees makes it hard for businesses/industries to establish in a community; not having employment options in a community makes it hard for individuals and/or families to seek housing in a community. The cycle can be significant from both aspects. Adding to that concern is the challenge of housing that is affordable.

What kind of traction have you seen communities make in addressing housing needs in the past year, and what do you credit for that?

Many of the Sioux Metro communities have had the opportunity to either attract or partner with a developer. In some communities, that has been a local contractor/developer, and in other communities, it has been a regional developer. The credit can be most likely given to the passion communities have. That passion drives individuals or groups to look at ways to attract development, whether that be through economic development organizations, city incentives or other county incentive opportunities.  

In your community of Lennox, specifically, what has been done in terms of housing, and how have you been able to help make that happen as a community?

In Lennox, we were fortunate to have members of our community who had a relationship with a regional developer. Our Lennox Area Development Corporation worked alongside the developer, the city of Lennox and Lincoln County for a TIF, or tax increment financing district. This has offered our community new housing in terms of options for current or incoming residents. Our LADC has also recently promoted a home improvement program incentive to help homeowners improve the condition of their homes. That has encouraged homeownership pride, which boosts the morale of the community. By doing this, we are more attractive to potential business/industry and residents. We are also currently seeking multifamily developers through direct contact with them so we can showcase our community and why it is the best spot for them.

You also are a real estate agent yourself. Any advice for homebuyers looking to move to Sioux Falls metro area communities?

Be patient. Do your homework. Be ready. Listing options continue to be sparse, but if you are patient, options will come available. In the meantime, do your homework so you know what you want and how your financing fits together so you are ready to make that move as soon as options present themselves.

As you look at the agenda for the upcoming Sioux Metro Growth Alliance Growth Summit, what kind of value do you see for attendees?

I think hearing and sharing the creative strategies for housing will be valuable. Many communities have put their ideas to work for them and have been successful. While not one solution fits all, it will be great to hear many ideas that could possibly be used or pieces of them used to work successfully in individual communities. Hearing about creative solutions and collaborating together will be a valuable takeaway for many of the attendees. Regionalization is key to successful growth. Metro growth supports our communities, and our communities support metro growth. By all supporting each other to be better, we all win.

What to expect

The two-day Growth Summit will lead off at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 with a presentation from Daniel Herriges, senior editor for Strong Towns, who will lead attendees through a workshop on how to impact community development at a neighborhood level. It will be followed by a panel discussion on housing.

On Sept. 21, expect a full lineup of local and regional experts sharing strategies for housing and economic development, culminating in a presentation called “Small Town America’s Comeback” by Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation Strong.

‘Neighborhoods First’ approach among topics at upcoming housing summit