Sioux Falls Green Project making progress KELO March 28, 2009 The Sioux Falls Green Project began just before Earth Day in April of last year.  Members of the Project say their purpose was to change the way people in Sioux Falls think about the environment.  And as they prepare for the future, they're hoping they can make even more progress. When business leaders and other members of the Sioux Falls community started the Green Project last spring, they didn't know how well the city would respond.  "This is a conversation that was long overdue," said Green Project member Jeff Hanson.  "And now that the conversation has started, people are finding that there's things that are quite simple to do. What they're looking for is to take advantage of those things." The commitment from both individuals and local businesses to go green has allowed the Project to grow. "It's just an education awareness initiative," said Green Project member Stacey McMahon.  "It started out as that, and now, we're starting to develop projects within that." McMahon says the Green Project stresses personal responsibility by encouraging people to do things such as turning off the lights when they leave a room or shopping with a reusable bag. "A year ago, you'd go to the grocery store and you'd very rarely see a reusable bag," Hanson said.  "And this year, it's impossible not to see it."  As the Green Project rolls into its second year, they're hoping both businesses and the city continue to embrace the program.  "We want to make Sioux Falls a better place," McMahon said.  "We want to put Sioux Falls on the green map and make it a more attractive place for young people and families to relocate to and enjoy life."