Population growth, booze licenses pay dividends for Sioux Falls

Another seven-figure boost expected with increase in state-authorized liquor sale locations

The state of South Dakota is upping the number of booze licenses it permits to be issued in its largest city. And that means a well-timed, seven-figure windfall for the city of Sioux Falls is on the way.

Nine new liquor licenses—four on-sale and five off-sale—are now up for grabs through a sealed bid auction, the second of its kind since City Hall ditched its longtime waitlist process two years ago.

The licenses, available due to population growth, guarantee the city at least $1.2 million in new revenue if they sell at their minimum bid thresholds.

Sioux Falls' new liquor license system draws bids as high as $400K