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For Immediate Release

City Highlights Planning Efforts for National Community Planning Month

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: October is National Community Planning Month, and the City of Sioux Falls Planning and Development Services Department is recognizing the important role planning plays in making Sioux Falls a great place to live, work, and play.

“Planning is about building a strong, vibrant, and livable Sioux Falls,” said Kevin Smith, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services. “It provides leaders with data-driven insights that guide informed decisions about transportation, housing, parks, schools, libraries, and more. In short, planning works to create a community that thrives today and sets the foundation for future generations.”

Planning and Development Services hosts an annual Citizen Planning Academy every October that provides participants with an opportunity to learn about planning and development and how to engage effectively in neighborhood planning efforts. The 2025 academy is full, but to learn more about the program, visit siouxfalls.gov/planningacademy.

Residents are also reminded that there is still time to participate in the Shape Sioux Falls 2050 Comprehensive Plan update, the City’s long-range planning effort.

“Sioux Falls has a huge opportunity right now to get involved in their community’s long-term planning efforts, through the Shape Sioux Falls 2050 plan,” said Fletcher Lacock, Senior Planner. “Oftentimes, people learn about City planning after the plan is adopted, either through zoning or building requirements. Residents have the opportunity, today, to tell us what they want the future of Sioux Falls to look like.”

An open house on October 6, 2025, will provide the public with a final opportunity to connect with Planning and Development Services staff to learn about the plan and to rank trends and recommendations that will help prioritize where to focus future planning efforts. The open house will be held at Siouxland Libraries Downtown Library (200 North Dakota Avenue) from 5 to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the programs and services offered by Planning and Development Services, visit siouxfalls.gov/planning-development.

For more information on Shape Sioux Falls 2050 or to participate in the public engagement priorities survey, visit siouxfalls.gov/shapesf2050. 

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