I can’t believe it has been 4 years since Augie put out their study. Once the study is completed in 2021 I have no doubt that the actual numbers of people needing housing will have gone up, but I also believe the percentages will have gone up also. I still don’t know what our community has done in the past 4 years that encouraged more and better affordable housing. I may be proven wrong, but I don’t think this report is going to be any rosier. Now, I don’t want to get all negative nancy about it. There are sectors of our community that or doing well, but like the last study pointed out, there is a significant wealth gap, and I think it will be even wider.
There is something else I am going to call the ‘Amazon’ factor. I have NO doubt that they will have to draw in workers not only from the region but from across the country to get enough. Some have been curious why our local elected officials haven’t been standing on soap boxes bragging about it. I will tell you why, because they know about the low wages Amazon pays and what kind of worker this will attract. Hard to brag about bringing business to Sioux Falls when that business pays the same as fast food. I actually believe that bringing Amazon here will create more social ills for our community. I don’t think our local or state officials had a choice in the matter, let’s face it, it’s Amazon, they will do what they want to. There was no carrot on the end of a stick leading them here, it was logistics.
I am also curious if the city is the only entity funding this study? Any non-profits? The counties? The school district?
What’s nice about an other study is that it makes it look as though they are actually doing something about this crisis. Ironically, the study will prove they haven’t yet, however.
(“Yes, we should do a study”…. “Make sure its binder
cover is the best money can buy”…. “It will look good”..)
( and Woodstock adds: “Yah, maybe a TIF would help, too”..)
Amazon pays its workers a minimum of $15.00 per hour; which is higher than the average wage paid in Sioux Falls for unskilled labor. Their entry into the market will cause a minor disruption in the unskilled labor and force other employers to raise their starting salaries.
An Amazonian aside; I heard from a local engineering firm tha the prime contractor is finding that local suppliers may not be able to accommodate the volumetric needs for basic materials (rock, gravel) to do the project.
BTW, my employer has secured a role in the construction as a sub for certain processes that will require those materials.
This sort of survey should be conducted by government, not a private university. Government must plan for growth with infrastructure. Augustana spending foolishly is why tuition is high. I’d like to see Ronning restart with tract housing where there’s low real estate value outside Sioux Falls city limits.
Just another case of city officials sitting on their hands ignoring growth and future planning. Apparently, they’re only good at building empty 6-story parking ramps. Ghosts don’t own cars and don’t pay taxes.
Matt is for $15 per hour. Who knew?