Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 5
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Sioux City Scoop<br />
By Alex Watters<br />
Earlier this year, the Biden<br />
administration unveiled the<br />
American Rescue Plan which<br />
will deliver $350 billion<br />
for state, local, territorial,<br />
and tribal governments to<br />
respond to the COVID-19<br />
emergency and bring<br />
back jobs. Sioux City will be<br />
receiving just over $40 million.<br />
This program is going to have<br />
a profound impact on our<br />
Alex Watters community. However, it is not<br />
necessarily a blank check. The US<br />
Department Treasury gave broad categories with which the<br />
monies can be used. There is also the hesitation that if funds<br />
are used for a project that would not qualify, they have<br />
to be reimbursed. Therefore, I would prefer to proceed<br />
with caution.<br />
The City Council directed staff to look into various<br />
projects they thought were eligible and worth<br />
pursuing. Staff then presented the City Council options<br />
during two separate study sessions. These projects<br />
strike a balance of supporting organizations negatively<br />
impacted by the pandemic and proactively investing<br />
in infrastructure that will set Sioux City up for future<br />
growth.<br />
Here is an outline of the projects identified with the<br />
disclaimer that not all of these projects may be pursued<br />
as they are outlined below. We may also receive further<br />
clarification for eligible projects.<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Converse / 23<br />
Infrastructure:<br />
Sewer<br />
• Increase capacity and improvements at WWTP.<br />
• Improves our ability to support new business/<br />
industry.<br />
• Reduce the likelihood of sewer rate increases in<br />
the near future.<br />
• Fund the balance of other outstanding sewer<br />
projects.<br />
Water<br />
• Replace failing or at risk of failing water mains.<br />
• Install boost station that will improve pressures<br />
in a much-needed part of town.<br />
• Extend water lines to support a new housing/<br />
business development.<br />
Stormwater<br />
• Fund a drainage ditch that will expand our<br />
business park and complete other project<br />
shortfalls.<br />
Broadband<br />
• Increase business speeds to attract new business<br />
and allow growth for others.<br />
• Expand Wi-Fi capabilities into underserved<br />
neighborhoods- leveling the playing field for<br />
learning and connectivity.<br />
Businesses/Nonprofits<br />
• Establish parameters for organizations to apply for<br />
funding to offset losses incurred due to the<br />
pandemic.<br />
Hospitality/Tourism<br />
• Establish parameters for hotels and tourism reliant<br />
businesses to apply for funding to offset losses<br />
incurred due to the pandemic.<br />
Affordable Housing<br />
• Offer infrastructure improvements to support<br />
affordable housing developments.<br />
• Look into housing improvement opportunities for<br />
those neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic.<br />
(Maybe difficult to identify/verify).<br />
Again, these projects aim to help organizations and individuals most impacted by the pandemic and make serious<br />
investments in our infrastructure that will offset the need for future rate increases - something that will benefit all<br />
taxpayers. While all of the qualifications for eligible programs may not be crystal clear yet, this type of investment<br />
is sure to make a difference in our community. I look forward to the growth we can experience from it.<br />
Alex Watters, City Council of Sioux City<br />
awatters@sioux-city.org<br />
Photo Credit Michel Rohner, Studio 712
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