I am writing as a concerned resident who is deeply troubled by the recent decision by our mayor to move a pork processing plant to the edge of our community — a decision reportedly made behind closed doors, without meaningful public notice or opportunity for residents to weigh in.
I have heard a lot of similar opinions as well. It's not that people are against the decision per se but they are tired of not knowing what decisions are being made 'behind the scenes' by the powers that be that affect their lives. Whether it's the location of the prison, the data centers or the pork plant they all affect people living nearby and those people should be the first to have a heads up that their neighborhood will change.
Not sure why this type of conversation continues. Sioux Falls has a development corporation that does exactly that. There is no conceivable way that every prospect will get vetted by the citizens...ever. Major investment decisions are not made in a public forum. Not sure where this idea came from. When a major store comes into the mall, the rest of Sioux Falls isn't asked if it will be too much competition for other stores. You have zoning and areas where companies can expand. If it is legal then they can expand. Having citizen input into every business opening in Sioux Falls would pretty much shut down the city. Second, the original tax revenue that is being generated off of the property in question will still go to the same places it is going now. Only the appreciated value based on the improvements made will be used to pay the TIF. The schools and county are out nothing. You can't lose something you never had. The 10's of millions of dollars in taxes and payroll that will be generated in Sioux Falls will be very impactful. Workers there will buy clothes, groceries, etc buy homes and spend that money earned in our community. This a huge win for Sioux Falls, agriculture and the region. Well done Sioux Falls!
So well said. We are tired of being the mayor's piggy banks, forced to fund his deals behind the scenes without debate. Only months ago, we heard that we didn't have enough money to plow the streets properly, but now we can throw 90 million of future tax revenue to a wealthy foreign company. As his pick for the next mayor will give us more of the same.
Say no to this TIF and no to Christine Erickson as the next mayor. We need to get rid of the Joe Kirby-designed strong mayor government.
You do realise $90million goes right into their pockets as extra profit and the profits do go back to China you know? If you dont know you need to bone up on how the world works.
I have heard a lot of similar opinions as well. It's not that people are against the decision per se but they are tired of not knowing what decisions are being made 'behind the scenes' by the powers that be that affect their lives. Whether it's the location of the prison, the data centers or the pork plant they all affect people living nearby and those people should be the first to have a heads up that their neighborhood will change.
Not sure why this type of conversation continues. Sioux Falls has a development corporation that does exactly that. There is no conceivable way that every prospect will get vetted by the citizens...ever. Major investment decisions are not made in a public forum. Not sure where this idea came from. When a major store comes into the mall, the rest of Sioux Falls isn't asked if it will be too much competition for other stores. You have zoning and areas where companies can expand. If it is legal then they can expand. Having citizen input into every business opening in Sioux Falls would pretty much shut down the city. Second, the original tax revenue that is being generated off of the property in question will still go to the same places it is going now. Only the appreciated value based on the improvements made will be used to pay the TIF. The schools and county are out nothing. You can't lose something you never had. The 10's of millions of dollars in taxes and payroll that will be generated in Sioux Falls will be very impactful. Workers there will buy clothes, groceries, etc buy homes and spend that money earned in our community. This a huge win for Sioux Falls, agriculture and the region. Well done Sioux Falls!
So well said. We are tired of being the mayor's piggy banks, forced to fund his deals behind the scenes without debate. Only months ago, we heard that we didn't have enough money to plow the streets properly, but now we can throw 90 million of future tax revenue to a wealthy foreign company. As his pick for the next mayor will give us more of the same.
Say no to this TIF and no to Christine Erickson as the next mayor. We need to get rid of the Joe Kirby-designed strong mayor government.
$90M TIF for this project, wait until you see the size of the TIF that’s coming to restore the “blighted” areas where Smithfield currently resides.
You do realise $90million goes right into their pockets as extra profit and the profits do go back to China you know? If you dont know you need to bone up on how the world works.