The Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company welcomed a record-breaking crowd to last night's festive Annual Banquet. Over 400 attendees enjoyed an evening that included the ever-entertaining emcee talents of local celebrity Mitchell Olson, a warm and revealing discussion between retiring USD President James Abbott and Board of Regents President Bob Sutton, and the presentation of several community awards. The event was generously supported by the Beacom School of Business and the Puetz Corporation.
"We simply cannot express how appreciative we are of the many, many individuals who were instrumental in pulling off this year's event, because we couldn't have done this without them," states Nate Welch, VCDC President & CEO. "This took the work of not only our staff and interns, special events committee volunteers, Aramark employees, sound & video technicians, centerpiece donors, and presenters, but it also takes dynamic and invested community members who show up in record numbers! Without them, it wouldn't be the celebration that it is."
Each year the VCDC hosts this Annual Banquet as a way to invigorate and celebrate the community's accomplishments, as well as some of the special people who've worked hard in various capacities to help Vermillion succeed. Among this year's award recipients were:
Mayor's Award for Community Service - James Abbott
VCDC Community Leader Award - Jim Peterson of Masaba
United Way Volunteer of the Year - Randy Rasmussen
VCDC's NEXT Young Professional of the Year - Travis Letellier
VCDC Brick Awards - Knutson Family Dentistry
Mart Brothers Construction
Tractor Supply
Vermillion Area Dance Organization
USD Foundation
Edward Jones, Patrick Higgins
HyVee
Vermillion Public Schools
Charcoal Lounge
THiNK thread & ink
In addition to the awarding of those honors, VCDC President & CEO Nate Welch also revealed during his 'State of the VCDC' speech that Vermillion has been selected to host the Special Olympics South Dakota Summer Games for 2019 and 2020. The VCDC Sports Authority has been working hard in recent months to craft the winning event bid, and the community is sure to benefit greatly from the presence of these games. "It's no coincidence that the 2019 games will mark the 51st year of Special Olympics SD, and that SOSD started right here in Vermillion in an office on the campus of USD," shares Welch. "Our community is incredibly honored to have the start of the second half of a century of Special Olympics South Dakota back where it started. Like the track competition, Special Olympics would be making the turn toward another 50-year lap!"

Vermillion will welcome another exciting new business to town in 2018. Beginning May 1, 2018, the office that currently houses the Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Company (VCDC) will have a new tenant for years to come. 116 Market Street will now be home to Heartland Psychological Services. Having operated their current business in Yankton for a number of years, this move represents an expansion of their services. "Heartland provides psychological services to individuals, families, couples, and groups that are struggling with mental health issues," shares Danelle Pennock, Director. "Heartland has a strong positive reputation for helping others by meeting our mission to help people in distress relieve their suffering, restore their hope, and reach their potential in an environment of encouragement, compassion, and respect with highly qualified staff committed to effective services. We're looking forward to serving the Vermillion community."
Currently located at 904 W. 23rd St., Suite 101 in Yankton, Heartland Psychological Services provides counseling and psychological services with encouragement, compassion, and respect with a highly qualified staff. They also provide psychiatric services and evaluations. Services include counseling for: Individual, Family, Group, and Couples as well as psychiatric services and evaluations for ADHD, OCD, Depression, Anxiety, Anger management, Stress management, Parenting issues, Sexuality issues, and Grief or loss.
Meanwhile, the VCDC has announced they will conduct mobile operations during summer 2018, while the remodel of their new building at 2 E. Main Street is being completed and they make room for the incoming business in the Market Street Building. Upon completion, 2 E. Main Street will not only be the new offices of the VCDC but will also house Charlie's retail store and a state-of-the-art, collaborative co-working space with public meeting rooms and more. The project, funded by a USDA Rural Development loan, and Vermillion NOW! 2 investments has created the opportunity for an historic space to serve the multiple priorities of the VCDC. "Not only are we honored to be able to restore a beautiful, historic, downtown building but we are beyond excited to bring our community a new and dynamic space for creative collaboration, with a focus on economic development and tourism." says Nate Welch, President & CEO of the VCDC.
Beginning May 1st, the VCDC will begin their mobile operations for the duration of the renovation. VCDC staff will still be reachable by phone at (605)624-5571, by mail at the current mailing address: 116 Market Street, #103 Vermillion, SD 57069, and by email at their existing email addresses. Any general communication or questions can continue to be directed to vcdc@vermillionchamber.com. Business Operations for the VCDC will be located inside City Hall at 25 Center Street. For visitor information or the purchase of Vermillion Bucks, a special request form has been centrally placed on the VCDC website homepage: www.livevermillion.com. As always, community members can expect to find all the latest information at the website and on the community calendar. Those subscribed to the Monday Messenger will continue to receive this weekly communication, as well as any further special communication about VCDC business.
"Our goal with this move is to continue to support the growth and progressive momentum of Vermillion," says Welch. "This final move is precipitated by the incredible growth and opportunities Vermillion has seen. We have an agile staff, and I'm proud their ability - as well as our community's - to work together and push ourselves to always be better tomorrow than we were yesterday."

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!

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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
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and the flexibility to accommodate the future.
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