For years, there has been talk in the community about building a community center to accommodate general community needs, arts and education opportunities, and athletic fitness activities. A group comprising city, county, and school district officials, and representative from the University of South Dakota and the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company has started to explore the feasibility of such a center. There are a lot of details to work through, but most important might be what a community center could provide in terms of services and usable space for a variety of community interests. This short survey is designed to gather information about what community members might want from a community center and what kind of features a center might include. We will compile the information and share it during a public meeting to be held in the early fall. This information and the public meeting will move this community goal closer to fulfillment. So please let us know what you think!
- The Integrated Community Action Planning (ICAP) Group
https://vermillionsd.wufoo.com/forms/zr0tub0ju8q2t/

Join us on May 30th to celebrate the Prentis Plunge Water Park! We will have a brief Ribbon Cutting presentation and hear from City, Parks and Rec and VCDC officials at 5:15. The doors to the pool will then open for spectators to see the new center! There will be complimentary snacks and refreshments as well as the opportunity to take home some Prentis Plunge door prizes!
There will be no swimming during the event. The pool will officially in early June.

It's time to play ball! For the second straight year, the Vermillion Sports Authority is excited to bring professional baseball to Prentis Park! The Sioux City Explorers and the Lincoln Saltdogs will play a spring baseball exhibition game on Sunday, May 14th! The day will kick-off at noon with a FREE Kids Baseball Camp with players from the team, followed by first pitch at 2:00 PM. There will be games and inflatables for kids, pop, beer and food for purchase and tons of fun for the whole family! Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and can be purchased from any Little League Baseball player around the community, at the gate the day of the game, or by calling 624-5571.
If you are interested in bringing your child or children to the mini-camp, that will begin at noon but kids are welcome to come and join in anytime between Noon and 1:00 pm. The teams will have some equipment for the kids to use, but they are also welcome and encouraged to bring their own. Make sure they're wearing clothes that you don't mind them getting a little dirty and get ready for some fun!

Now is your chance to be a part of Vermillion's history! To vote for your favorite of the remaining four choices, follow the link below. The winner will be announced in the second week of March.
https://vermillionsd.wufoo.com/forms/p1sc2zl20h62hqm/

The Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) has announced they have moved their offices from their location at 6 West Main Street to a familiar location at 116 Market Street, Suite #103. The VCDC operated out of the 116 Market Street location from 2010 to 2015 and will be utilizing this location once again as they prepare for their final move later in 2017. "This move is another great sign of more and more progress in Vermillion," says Nate Welch, Executive Director. "Each time we have had to make a move has been because of the growth and opportunities Vermillion has seen. Our agility as an office and organization enhances the opportunities we can seize." he continued.
Starting in late spring, the VCDC will begin remodeling the building at 2 E. Main St. The building will not only be the new office space for the VCDC but will also house Charlie's retail store and a state-of-the-art, collaborative co-working center. The project will be funded by a USDA Rural Development loan creating an opportunity for the renovated space to serve the multiple priorities of the VCDC. "This project is one that will have a lasting impact on our community. Being able to revitalize one of the historic buildings in downtown Vermillion will be incredibly beneficial to our entire town." says Welch. As before, the 530 square foot board room located at 116 Market Street will be available for Chamber Members, community organizations or non-profits to use for meeting space if needed.

The Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce & Development Company (VCDC) Governmental Affairs Committee announced the dates of the 2017 Legislative Session Cracker Barrels. This year there will be two Cracker Barrels with both House Representatives and the Senator from District 17. The first Cracker Barrel will get underway at 9:00 am on Saturday, January 28th at the Vermillion City Hall Council Chambers, 25 Center Street. The second will be held at 9:00am on Saturday, March 4th at the Vermillion City Hall Council Chambers. Refreshments will be served on both dates.
The public is encouraged to attend the open forums with District 17 Legislators, Senator Art Rusch and House Representatives Nancy Rasmussen and Ray Ring, to discuss issues happening during the 92nd legislative session and bills that may affect them.
For more information, please contact Lindsey Peterson at the VCDC.

The Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) saw a great year in 2016 and is excited to build off that success with multiple staff changes recently made.
Elijah Bonde has been hired as the new Tourism and Marketing Coordinator of the VCDC. Bonde has been with the company since February of 2016 and has been serving as the Economic Development Assistant. “Elijah approaches his duties with passion and hard work every day,” says Nate Welch, Executive Director of the VCDC. In accepting the position, Elijah says, “I have always had a passion for this community ever since moving here as a student in 2013 and it has been a privilege to work as the Economic Development Assistant the last eleven months. My time spent working with the South Dakota Department of Tourism helped guide my passion for the state and for our region. I could not be more excited to utilize those skills to help Vermillion continue to prosper.” Welch added, “I’m confident he will bring even more passion, creativity and organization to the position to continue and build off the current objectives we have to promote Vermillion and attract even more visitors.” Elijah will assume his new role at the VCDC immediately, with one of his first tasks being to join Nate in representing Vermillion at the South Dakota Governors Conference on Tourism in mid-January.
The VCDC has also hired Jann Jensen to its staff to serve as the Executive Administrative Assistant. She will be replacing Nancy Nelson who announced her retirement from the VCDC in November of 2016. “Nancy has served the VCDC for just over seven years,” Welch says, “we are sincerely sad to see Nancy go, but we’re excited for her to have more time with her family and for us to welcome Jann to the team. I can’t thank Nancy enough for her service to the VCDC and for being our rock for so long.”
On Wednesday, Welch also announced that Chamber Manager Lindsey Peterson has been promoted to Chamber Director. “The Chamber of Commerce is the center nucleus of the goals and priorities of the VCDC operations and Lindsey’s hard work, leadership and dedication is a huge part of the continued success and yet another record year of chamber member growth in Vermillion”.
For more information, please contact Nate Welch at the VCDC.
Along with new staff changes, the VCDC is also celebrating a monumental 2016! Take a look at this piece from the Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan for more info.

Vermillion Chamber & Development Company Announces winning bid for Historical South Dakota Football Event to be played at the Dome The Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company is proud to announce that Vermillion will now be the home of the Annual South Dakota High School All-Star Football Game, presented by Sanford Health. The game will take place on July 9th for 2016, and will then take place in early June thereafter.
During the recent SDHSAA State Football Championship games in the USD DakotaDome, in November 2015, news of the All-Star game's pending future was discovered. Vermillion officials received word that Aberdeen may not host the annual All-Star game. "Once we heard of the opportunity that a new community could host this great event, we were excited. When we realized there might be seniors who could miss out, we decided we weren't going to let that happen." said Nate Welch, Executive Director of the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company said.
"We were only able to do this because of the great work of all of our volunteers, partnerships with the University of South Dakota and the coordinated efforts of Visitor and Tourism through the VCDC." Welch said. "This year is the first year we've coordinated BID dollars towards Visitor and Tourism, including the creation of a Sports Authority Committee. This is a huge win and one of many new events we look forward to bringing to Vermillion for South Dakotans to enjoy."
One of the main changes to the annual event will be the cost to the athletes. In recent years, cost for participants was as much as $300 per player. The VCDC says that registration fee has been wiped out. "This game is to be an annual celebration and an opportunity for South Dakota Seniors to play one last high school game. Other changes and improvements the event are expected, including housing in air-conditioned dorms at the University of South Dakota, evening activities and a recognition banquet that will be open to alumni, players, coaches and families of the All-stars.

Visit the website www.sdallstargame.com!

Two companies have signed leases to occupy the Vermillion Technology Center - bringing an estimated $.6.1 million economic impact to the community, the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company announced today: Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Biotest"), whose headquarters are based in Boca Raton, Fla., and Navigant Cymetrix Corporation (Navigant Cymetrix), based in Irvine, Calif., will move into the Vermillion Technology Center.
Navigant Cymetrix, which now includes the former Alleviant LLC operations following a merger of those two entities, provides healthcare organizations and physician practices with comprehensive business process outsourcing solutions. The company initially opened a facility in Vermillion in 2013 and currently employs approximately 70 professionals at that location.
Biotest is a leader in the collection of source plasma. The plasma collected is used to manufacture critical care therapies that treat life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas. Biotest is expected to add 40-60 new jobs in Vermillion with an average annual payroll of $1.8 million.
Biotest owns and operates 18 plasmapheresis centers across the country and plans on expanding to a total of 22 facilities by the end of 2016. Welch says after completing minor renovations, Navigant Cymetrix will be fully moved into the VTC by May. The space Biotest will occupy requires some remodeling and the company should be moved in and operating by October. The 32,000-square-foot building on the north side of Vermillion was completed in 2014 for a different company with expansion plans, but that tenant never moved in.
"As we all know, those plans didn't work out. We can't run from that, and we shouldn't hide from it," said Nate Welch, executive director of the VCDC at a press conference in March. "But the VCDC board of directors, the community along with many of our partners all got together and worked hard at finding a new purpose for this beautiful space."
"When we had to readjust the Vermillion Tech Center to be more of a spec building, this is exactly what was intended," said Dr. Amy Christensen, VCDC board president. "We have a building ready and available for a company like Biotest to expand into Vermillion and bring with them good paying jobs to contribute to our community. Having Navigant move over to the VTC is a great sign of them continuing to re-invest in Vermillion as well."
Navigant expects to occupy the building in May after some minor renovations. Biotest will require some remodeling and should be moved in and operating by October, Welch said. "It's a pleasure to welcome Biotest to South Dakota, and I'd like to congratulate both companies on their decisions to move into the Vermillion Technology Center (VTC)," Gov. Dennis Daugaard said. "The VTC is a great facility, and I'm pleased to hear the REDI Fund can assist with securing two quality companies."
"This deal would not have been possible without the support and partnership from the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the board of economic development approving a REDI loan to the VCDC," said Welch.

Local Vermillion Chamber members are now offering benefits to other Chamber members. Check out the great deals and learn how to offer your own great benefits!

Click here for more information.

VERMILLION, S.D. - Senscio Systems, a Boston-based provider of artificial intelligence-based complex care management technology, has announced its intent to create a regional hub in Vermillion, S.D. The partnership with the Vermillion Chamber and Development Corporation (VCDC) begins immediately and reflects Senscio's intent to explore growth in South Dakota in both the manufacturing and service sectors.

"It was a pleasure meeting with Dr. De in Philadelphia at the BIO Convention earlier this week," Gov. Dennis Daugaard said. "As our population continues to age, comprehensive healthcare and services will be in high demand. I appreciate that Dr. De and her team see the value of expanding to South Dakota, and it's a privilege to welcome such an innovative company to Vermillion."

Click here for more information.

The Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company (VCDC) will be having a Bliss Pointe Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the completion of phase 1 of the new housing development of approximately 26 acres of property into seventy-one single family residential lots and three commercial out-lots. The work included grading, sanitary sewer, water main, concrete road paving, sidewalk trails, street lighting and final seeding. The celebration to 'open up the streets to Bliss Pointe' is Thursday, Oct. 2 on the corner of Stanford Street and Rockwell Trail. VCDC Executive Director, Nate Welch says "We are very excited to host the 'first block party at Bliss Pointe' and provide an opportunity for everyone to see the beginning of another beautiful neighborhood in Vermillion." The community is invited to a short program beginning at 5:15 pm and the Ribbon Cutting will follow. Tours will be available of the lots, park and incredible bluff views. Ace Hardware is giving away a FREE grill to one lucky person who attends and we'll be grilling hot dogs too!

Vermillion was named Large Community of the Year by Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Tuesday evening in Sioux Falls at the Governor's Economic Development Conference. Mayor Jack Powell, USD President James Abbott, and Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) President Gerry Tracy accepted the award on behalf of the community. "We greatly appreciate Governor Daugaard's recognition of Vermillion. Our partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Development has been a key factor in our community's success," said Tracy.

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We are a community that encourages innovation
and progressive thinking. Vermillion has the
infrastructure to sustain growth and expansion
and the flexibility to accommodate the future.
Those doing business here find a quality,
talented, experienced, and dedicated
work force. People living here have the comfort
of knowing they are surrounded by great school
systems and quality health care providers.
Whether you are considering a place to visit,
live, or to locate your business, come and
see why Vermillion is...
Close to everything! Far from ordinary!