The Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company (VCDC) is thrilled to announce the conclusion of the Vermillion NOW! 3 capital campaign. The original goal when the campaign was launched back in May 2019 was to raise $1.725 million, but thanks to the generous donations of Vermillion businesses and community members, that goal has been surpassed when co-chairs of the campaign announced over $2.01 million raised, in front of a crowd of investors at RED Steakhouse on Main Street in Vermillion.
"I'm proud of how far we have come and the direction we are moving in as a community," says Jack Powell, Mayor of Vermillion. "I have seen many changes happen these past ten years since the inception of Vermillion NOW, and I am excited for the future of Vermillion, thanks to the dedication of the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company and anyone who has contributed to the Vermillion NOW! 3 campaign."
VCDC President and CEO, Nate Welch highlighted to the crowd how engagement and involvement for the campaign were at record highs. Welch noted that of the record number of total investors, over 60% of them were brand new investors, while nearly 90% of previous Vermillion NOW campaign investors returned for additional investments.
In addition, the campaign received 100% participation from those closest to the campaign - including the Campaign Leadership Committee, the VCDC Board of Directors and the staff of the VCDC. "Not only does this show an increase in engagement and investment in the community, but it demonstrates a willingness to continue to show up for Vermillion", Nate Welch, President and CEO of the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company, shared with the crowd on Tuesday.
The campaign was led by multiple major gifts, which made up over $1.1 million dollars of the more than $2 million raised. This momentum from strategic partners such as the University of South Dakota/USD Foundation, the City of Vermillion, Clay County, Polaris, First Dakota National Bank and Sanford (Sanford Health, Sanford Vermillion and the Dakota Hospital Foundation) helped spur on the second half of the campaign.
