April 17, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by  Forward Sioux Falls.

Without a map, anyone could get lost.

It’s the same for communities, which is why for the past 30 years, Sioux Falls collectively has created a community road map of sorts for the decade ahead, bringing together representatives of many areas of the city and region to arrive at a shared vision.

It’s called Sioux Falls Tomorrow, and the latest plan that was just  released  is the fourth iteration of a process that began in 1994 and is updated each decade.

“I think we can all agree that Sioux Falls is an extraordinary community by most any measurement. What is important to recognize is that what each of us enjoys about Sioux Falls didn’t simply happen by accident,” said Dave Rozenboom, president of First Premier Bank.

“We are the beneficiaries of decades of strong and visionary community leadership, coupled with an incredible collaborative and cooperative spirit of working together to capitalize on opportunities and solve challenges. While Forward Sioux Falls has led the way from an economic development standpoint, the Sioux Falls Tomorrow strategic planning process casts a broader vision for ‘what’s next’ in our community.”

Review the original Sioux Falls Tomorrow plan that was established in 1994 and the subsequent visions that were developed in 2004 and 2014, and “it is amazing to see how many of those goals and objectives have been achieved,” he continued.

“While no one organization or entity could possibly do all of this on its own, there is tremendous value in reaching broad consensus on what our top priorities are so we can each do our part in working together towards meaningful progress as a community. It is important to keep our strategic planning fresh and relevant — Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 does just that.”

Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 was coordinated by Forward Sioux Falls and facilitated by National Civic League, led by director Derek Okubo who also worked with Sioux Falls in 1994 and 2004.

“I’m very familiar with Sioux Falls, and I’ve also been impressed by Sioux Falls,” Okubo said. “There just seems to be more awareness, communication and collaboration across different sectors in the community than many places I’ve seen.”

As he reviewed master plans and strategic plans for various areas and organizations within the community, “I was impressed that there’s a lot of cross-referencing going on, and that doesn’t happen a lot,” he said. “Usually, a lot of plans are done without awareness of how they intersect with other plans, and then they can be in conflict with each other. I didn’t see that in Sioux Falls.”

The Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 plan was developed with a huge range of input, through a process driven by Forward Sioux Falls, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Sioux Falls School District and the city of Sioux Falls

“What makes Sioux Falls special is that when you make the call, people answer. They show up, they care, and they’re willing to have meaningful conversations about both opportunities and challenges,” said Brittany Hanson, Forward Sioux Falls program director.

“Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 is a community-driven vision, and our role was to bring people together, facilitate collaborative discussions and help develop a plan that will shape the Sioux Falls of tomorrow. The depth of input we received helped shape a plan that truly reflects the community’s vision.”

A strong seven-member steering committee led the way, while a 68-member diversified stakeholder group provided input and guidance along the way. Grassroots input was provided through 28 studies/reports/plans that were reviewed and synthesized during the process.

“I think it was a really good process,” said Dr. Jane Stavem, superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District. “It went from the bigger picture of where we have been, what’s still important to our community, what’s changed, the needs of the city and what that looks like through multiple lenses as you vision for the next 10 years.”

Sioux Falls Tomorrow revolves around four key focus areas, with specific goals, community partners and action items for each:

• Economic development and corporate responsibility.
• Quality of life.
• Social services.
• Regional collaboration.

“I think Sioux Falls’ secret sauce is collaboration. Everyone can work together, and put their own rivalries aside. To the extent Sioux Falls Tomorrow can help highlight and position things we really should rally around as a community, it’s a really big deal,” said Andy Patterson, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. “It cannot replace the planning our individual organizations need to do, but it shows the moments where we all should pull in the same direction, and it keeps raising the flag over what should be priorities.”

Senior project manager Erin Bofenkamp represented the city of Sioux Falls, along with Mayor Paul TenHaken and Police Chief Jon Thum.

“A wealth of input was shared, and it was clear how deeply people care about the future of our community,” Bofenkamp said. “A consistent theme throughout the iterations of this plan is the emphasis on economic development and quality of life, which Sioux Falls is known for. As we continue to grow, the focus on social services and regional collaboration will become increasingly important. It comes as no surprise that Sioux Falls has been and will continue to be a forward-thinking community.”

As a stakeholder, Helpline CEO Janet Kittams not only represented the social services sector but also provided input as a community member.

“I appreciated how everyone’s voice was heard. It was truly a team effort,” she said.

“I’m very excited by several of the goals, but the social service goals that emphasize collaboration and coordination were key areas from my perspective. No one organization or entity can respond to the social service needs of the community, but working together we can make a true impact.”

Here’s a sampling of goals identified:

• Attract and support high-tech businesses.
• Expand the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
• Preserve the community’s unique corporate culture.
• Increase indoor recreation.
• Ensure broader access to affordable housing and essential services.
• Coordinate regional delivery of key municipal services.
• Enhance service delivery among mental health, substance abuse and homeless services providers.

“This isn’t just a collection of ideas — it’s a true action plan. Each goal is backed by clear steps, measurable progress and key partners who will help bring it to life,” said Hanson, the Forward Sioux Falls program director.

To facilitator Okubo, what stood out this time versus other plan updates was “the recognition of regional efforts and how Sioux Falls is growing in the metro area,” he said. “There’s recognition of how important regional cooperation and collaboration is, and that’s key.”

Sioux Metro Growth Alliance CEO Tyler Tordsen was involved in the process, helping represent the broader metro area.

“What I found most rewarding about this process was seeing the diversity of people in the room and the level of engagement. Whether a CEO, recent college grad, new parent or any other stakeholder, everyone was fully committed to getting this plan right for the benefit of our future,” he said.

“The biggest takeaway from my perspective is that this next plan takes Sioux Falls to the next level. Our region is now on the national map, and this plan aims to build on the strong foundation already established.”

That “next-level” thinking is crucial for the broader Sioux Metro region, especially as some of the communities continue to grow closer to Sioux Falls, Tordsen said.

“We owe it to our residents and taxpayers to seek partnerships and efficiencies wherever they make sense. This includes shared collaboration on critical infrastructure, strengthening regional amenities like the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, increasing connectivity through bike trails and exploring public safety solutions by sharing resources when appropriate.”

Sioux Falls doesn’t ignore its issues, Okubo said. “One thing that I always appreciated about Sioux Falls was the willingness to face their challenges rather than sweep them under the carpet or look the other way. Just like individuals face challenges and become stronger people, the same applies to communities. The ones willing to face their challenges head-on, admit them and say ‘How do we address it?’ are the ones that are going to keep moving forward.”

What really came through was how “there’s been a legacy of people who have devoted their time and talents and resources, and it was clear this legacy has to continue,” Superintendent Stavem said. “People have to step up to be elected officials, to be in leadership positions, to take their business and industry and commit to being part of the fabric of this community.”

That resonated with James Gaspar, vice president of Interstate Office Products and a leader in the Young Professionals Network.

“Intentionally, the organizers of the stakeholder meetings made sure to include young, emerging leaders like me to provide our sense of what Sioux Falls’ future needs are, but to also bring us behind the curtain and learn our role in carrying forward that standard,” he said.

“Being able to offer my insight on future projects that will be important to me and to my children was an engaging experience. And as a business leader, it was great to further the conversation of corporate responsibility. Whether you have 50 or 5,000 employees, each business needs to work towards creating a rising tide to lift all boats and move Sioux Falls forward.”

First Premier’s Rozenboom said he was pleased to see an emphasis on expanding the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, housing opportunities and regionalization, as well as encouraging the business community to continue being “good corporate citizens” through public-private partnerships and other investments.

“I am glad to see that as a focal point in the Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 plan, and we are committed to continuing to do our part and encourage others to do the same — whether they have been here for a long time or are a new addition to our community,” he said. “Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 is a plan that we can all get behind to ensure our future is every bit as bright as our past.”

Now that the planning process is done, the action begins.

“Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 is an important tool for Forward Sioux Falls. As we prepare to launch a new five-year plan for economic and workforce development, our initiatives will align with and help advance many of the goals outlined in this strategic plan,” Hanson said.

“We’ll also keep driving collaboration among partners and ensure steady progress continues. This plan isn’t meant to sit on a shelf — it’s a guide for businesses, government and organizations to align efforts, prioritize resources and advance this shared vision for our region’s future.”

To read the full Sioux Falls Tomorrow 4 plan, click here.

Forward Sioux Falls is a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and is widely respected as the premier economic driver for the Sioux Falls region. To learn more and connect, click here.