Why do I choose to be positive about Sioux City? Because positivity—when it’s grounded in reality—is an act of commitment.
Yes, we have potholes. We have aging infrastructure, tight budgets, and real, valid frustrations. Pretending otherwise helps no one. Honest optimism doesn’t ignore problems; it faces them head-on and says this place is still worth investing in.
Too often, we compare ourselves to neighboring cities in the tri-state area. We scroll, we visit, we point out what they’re doing better. But here’s the part we conveniently forget: we don’t live there. We live here. Most of us can’t simply pack up and move—even if, on a bad day, we think about it. Our families are here. Our jobs are here. Our roots are here.
There’s an old song lyric that says, “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.” That line isn’t about settling—it’s about choosing. Choosing to invest emotionally, financially, and civically in the place that has invested in us. Loving Sioux City doesn’t mean pretending it’s perfect. It means believing it can be better—and recognizing that it already is improving.
This spring alone, Sioux City is repaving 69 blocks of residential streets. That’s not a slogan. That’s asphalt, crews, and progress. On the far north side of the city, hundreds of new single-family homes are planned, along with several hundred apartments. Housing matters because growth stalls without adequate housing. These projects signal confidence—both from builders and from the city itself.
We’re also in the early planning stages of a new baseball and softball complex to replace aging fields being displaced to make room for local business expansion. That’s a trade worth paying attention to: modern recreation facilities paired with economic growth. It says we’re planning ahead, not clinging to the past.
Not every improvement comes with a ribbon-cutting or a viral photo. A lot of the most important work happens quietly—behind the scenes, in planning meetings, in infrastructure upgrades, and in economic development efforts that take time to show results. But make no mistake: the work is happening.
When I talk positively about Sioux City on social media, I’m not trying to sugarcoat reality. I’m trying to reflect confidence. And confidence matters—especially to investors. If someone were considering investing millions of dollars in our city, what would they see when they looked at us? A community that constantly tears itself down—or one that acknowledges challenges while actively addressing them?
Investors don’t expect perfection. They expect honesty, stability, and momentum.
And momentum grows when people believe.
Love our city—not blindly, but intentionally. Speak about it with pride and accountability. Celebrate progress while demanding more. That mindset changes conversations, attracts partnerships, and builds trust.
Sioux City is so much more than potholes.
It’s potential. It’s progress. It’s people who care enough to stay, speak up, and keep building.
And choosing positivity—real, informed, determined positivity—makes a difference.
By Julie Schoenherr
