The VERB - Fall 2022

VIEWPOINT

NOTE FROM The CEO

We are open for business for our businesses.

We are currently working on get ting back to the basics: Commerce, Economic Develop ment, and Tourism. As we refocus our efforts toward these functions, we will be listening intently to our membership and communicating along the way. We are here to listen to you, the community, to help retain and expand business, find solutions for housing and work force challenges, and continue to work toward a thriving business community.

Spirit of South Dakota

JIM PETERSON - CEO

I am honored to serve as the President & CEO of the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company (VCDC). It has been wonderful to meet countless members and leaders in our community–many of you I already knew in my previous life as the President of Masaba, Inc. As I transition into this new role, I thank you all for the warm welcome over the past month.

I strongly believe in the future of the Vermillion community, and I am dedicated to leading the VCDC in our efforts to serve our membership and this area.

I firmly believe in the VCDC’s mission, and we have an incredi ble opportunity to refine our vision and move Vermillion forward. I will be focusing on ways that we can build upon our successes and continue to make this a place where people want to establish roots, build businesses, raise families, and create enriching lives.

The membership of the VCDC is impressive, with companies from a multitude of industry sectors throughout the region.

I encourage companies and business leaders to engage with

us to experience the value that the Chamber has to offer to you and your business. We want you to make the most of your membership.

Please contact us if you would like to chat. You can reach me personally at Jim@VermillionChamber.com or by calling my direct line at (605) 672-2072.

I look forward to speaking and working with you in the future.

Jim Peterson VCDC President & CEO

VIEWPOINT

Spirit of South Dakota

NOTE FROM The Chair

series through July and August.

We’ve also facilitated RED talks bi monthly, which have so far covered topics of mental health in the age of COVID, a recap of the legislative session and a preview of what’s on the ballot next year, as well as the Vast Broadband’s rebrand to Bluepeak, and their vision for the fiber network they’re currently building.

I want to give a huge thanks to Valiant Vineyards for hosting and catering the RED Talks, as well as RED Talk sponsors Dakota Center, CorTrust Bank, and Dakota National Bank. While these events run the gamut between light and serious, they bring the community together, which is one of our foremost goals at the VCDC.

JEFF ERICKSON - EXEC, CHAIR

It is my privilege to introduce myself as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the VCDC! I am honored to have been selected for this position, and I’ve enjoyed working with the Board and the members of the Chamber to promote the interests of the many businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in the Vermillion Area this year.

I’m very happy to say that we’ve hosted some fantastic events for the people of Clay County since the year began. We held our annual Legisla tive Cracker Barrels to keep people informed about the goings-on in Pierre during legislative session. We’ve held a docket of events throughout the year that we hope community members have enjoyed, one of the most recent being the Thursdays on the Platz music

This year especially, we’ve been striv ing to be a unifying force in town. It's why we host our Annual Banquet, Golf Social, RED Talks, cracker barrels, and ribbon cuttings. It’s why we support economic development and promote entrepreneurship every day. It’s even why we produce Verb magazines and Visitor Guides—to show off what makes Vermillion great! Everything we do seeks to encourage networking and involvement among individuals and businesses. It’s this collaboration that knits us together, and I’m very proud of the real-world results that come of it.

While it’s probably old news by now, we got the chance to put this philos ophy into action right away this year. Back in March, LSC Communications, a printing company based in Illinois (and a major employer in our region), decided to close their Quality Park

facility in Beresford, forcing them to lay off many of the location’s em ployees. As daunting as challenges like this can be, they’re exactly the kind of thing the Chamber is built to help overcome. The VCDC took this opportunity to connect these workers with employers in Yankton and Vermil lion, and many were able to settle into their new jobs almost overnight!

While not every situation is this critical, the Economic Development depart ment works tirelessly nonetheless to ensure individuals and businesses have the resources they need to succeed. So many people come through our doors that it’s difficult to keep track of them all, but in the past year, we’ve helped out quite a few exciting en deavors. We’ve pointed Benchmark Building Maintenance to state agen cies to assist in getting their business off the ground, helped out Outside of a Dog Books & Games by connecting them with business leaders, and are currently working closely with a local entrepreneur to make their vision of a special events facility and B&B a reality. Whether it’s helping out in a big way like with Quality Park or in the little things we do every day, the VCDC is here to seize every opportunity to bring people together.

We are excited and looking forward to the future of the VCDC with Jim Peterson at the helm, our new President & CEO. We will continue to work towards a better and brighter Vermillion for all.

Sincerely,

2022-2023 Board of Directors, Chair

Jeff Erickson

Andy Schulz Community Bank President

EVENTS

SUMMER EVENTS IN REVIEW

Spirit of South Dakota

Annual Banquet

We don’t mean to brag, but our 2022 Annual Banquet was a smashing success! Local musician Kobe Provost kicked off the night’s entertainment while local celebrities dealt cards at casino tables. Guests were given a taste of Vermillion with a buffet catered by a number of the very best restaurants in town, and the fantastic Dueling Duo piano show played every single request with aplomb. Best of all, we got to recognize our local community leaders and entrepreneurs with the 2022 VCDC awards.

VCDC Award Winners: Leslie Gerrish: Spirit of Entrepreneurship

Curt Nelson: Community Leader of the Year

Collin Lind: VNEXT Young Professional of the Year

June REd Talk

"Say your name and tell the room one thing you’ve done on the internet today.” That’s how Bluepeak Vice President of Sales Mackenzie Roebuck-Walsh asked the attendees of June’s RED Talk, “Life at the Speed of Light,” to introduce themselves. It was an easy challenge—in fact, some people struggled to choose just one of the many things they had already used the internet for that day!

Roebuck-Walsh's talk revolved around the history of the inter net and its importance in our daily lives. She detailed Vast Broadband’s recent rebrand to Bluepeak, their removal of prof it-focused internet packages and bundles, and their commitment to building fiber optic networks across the region.

Ribbon Cuttings Galore

We’ve had so many new members join the VCDC these past few months, and with them has come a lot of ribbon cuttings.

We’ve hung out with Outside of a Dog, had lunch with Jon Cole’s Farm Bureau Agency, attended the first service at Resilient Church, and cut ribbons for Tom Overby’s Edward Jones branch, Bluepeak, The Dakota Center, The Lumberyard, and The Boys and Girls Club of Vermillion.

We look forward to celebrating more new chamber members in the coming months!

EVENTS

South Dakota Shakespeare Festival

The South Dakota Shakespeare Festival brought Othello to the stage for the company’s eleventh season in June. This production featured a unique twist on the story, however: instead of being set in sixteenth-century Venice, the story takes place in 2176 after a war that disestablishes the United States and restores sovereignty to Native Nations.

The play featured original mate rial by adaptor and director Tara Moses, and explored the future of tribal sovereignty and Black liberation.

Thursdays on the Platz

Vermillion’s favorite summer music series was an absolute blast this year, with bands running the genre gamut, beers from the region’s best brewmasters, and a smatter ing of new activities and vendors every week.

Although the first TOTP of the sea son got rained out, Vermillion more than made up for it—all told, we had record attendances at this year’s events!

Thank you to Bluepeak and the National Music Museum for your support of this year’s Thursdays on the Platz. We couldn’t host such a fun series without you!

Spirit of South Dakota

VCDC Golf Social

On sunny June 24th, 23 teams made their way out to The Bluffs Golf Course for the VCDC’s An nual Golf Social. The weather was beautiful, the company was good, and the competition was fierce. The winning golf teams for the day were:

1st Flight: First Bank & Trust USD Premier Real Estate

2nd Flight: Midco USD Athletics Farmers Insurance

Afterward, awards were an nounced and attendees enjoyed the finest barbecue and brisket this side of the Missouri, courtesy of Heck’s Dakota-Style BBQ.

EVENTS

THINGS

TO DO THIS SEASON

1Farmer’s Market

If you’re big on farm-to-table food and you love supporting local producers and artisans, the Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market is your best friend this season. Market vendors offer fresh meats, produce, eggs, dairy, bread, jams and jellies, coffee, honey, herbs, soap, candles, jewelry, art, crafts—phew, the list goes on!

Thursday markets run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Clay County Fair grounds, and Saturday markets run 9 a.m. to noon at the Ratingen Platz in historic Downtown Vermillion.

Spirit of South Dakota

Mazing Acres

Would fall be fall without pump kins, corn mazes, and hay rides? No, no it wouldn’t—luckily, Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch is here to provide. This 15-acre family farm is replete with over 30 fall-themed offerings, including obstacle courses, ziplines, tug-of-war, rides, slides, and photo ops. Mazing Acres opens in September, with its sunflower field opening Septem ber 17th and pumpkins becoming available October 1st. Fun for the whole family!

Ribs, Rods, & Rock’N Roll

When over 30 teams from across the Midwest come together to compete in a BBQ battle, you’re gonna want to check out what they’re cooking! On September 9th and 10th, head downtown to celebrate this annual Vermillion tradition with food and drink (of course!), vendors, performances from local musicians, a cornhole tournament, a 5k color run, a clas sic car show, and more. Find the schedule online at sdbbq.us/schedule.

South Dakota AllStar football Game

Every year, the best football play ers from high schools around the state come together to compete in an exhibition game at the University of South Dakota. Be at the DakotaDome November 20th to support high school athletes, cheer on your favorite team—red or blue—and watch some great football.

Spirit of South Dakota

EVENTS

SEPTEMBER IN REVIEW

1

Vermillion Area

Farmer’s Market

3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Clay County Fairgounds

13

district 17 candidate forum

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. vermillion CITY HALL

3

Vermillion Area

Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. - Noon, Downtown Vermillion

15

Vermillion Area

Farmer’s Market

3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Clay County Fairgrounds)

VERMILLION NEXT

THIRD THURSDAY SOCIAL

22

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Clay County Fairgrounds

24

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. - Noon Downtown Vermillion

5

8

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Clay County Fair grounds

15

Public Safety Center bond Forum

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. vermillion CITY HALL

27

clay county commissioners forum

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. vermillion CITY HALL

OCTOBER

6

Ribbon Cutting

Banner Associates

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.,

21

Ribbon Cutting

DFS Insurance

105 E Cherry Street

11:00 am to 12:00 PM

Spirit of South Dakota

17

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. - Noon Downtown Vermillion

9-10

Ribs, Rods, & Rock ‘N Roll

Historical Downtown Vermillion

20

Initiated Measure

27 forum

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m..

vermillion CITY HALL

10

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. - Noon, Downtown Vermillion

29

Amendment D Forum

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. vermillion CITY HALL

29

Vermillion Area Farmer’s Market

3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Clay County Fairgrounds

10

NATIVE AMERICAN DAY

16 -22

DAKOTA DAYS week

19

DAKOTA CENTER

WINE AND CANVAS 6 p.m. DAKOTA CENTER

28

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

27 (NDEAM BREAKFAST / BRUNCH)

8 a.m. - 10:30 A.M., DAKOTA CENTER

Downtown Trick or Treating & Trunk or Treat event

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. historic downtown & library parking lot

31

21 6 p.m. dakota center

DAKOTA CENTER WINE AND CANVAS

Vermillion PUBLIC TRANSIT

25TH ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISER 30

5:30 P.M. - 8 P.M. old lumber company

VCDC RED TALKS

20 THEME TBD

VERMILLION NEXT

THIRD THURSDAY SOCIAL

NOVEMBER

Election

Veterans

16

DAKOTA CENTER WINE AND CANVAS 6 p.m. DAKOTA CENTER

Day

VERMILLION NEXT

THIRD THURSDAY SOCIAL

sd all-star football game

1 p.m. - 4 p.m. usd dakota dome

ANNUAL STANDSTILL PARADE

6 P.m. - 7 P. M. Downtown Vermillion

VERMILLION NEXT

THIRD THURSDAY SOCIAL

Spirit of South Dakota

DAKOTA CENTER

WINE AND CANVAS 6 p.m. DAKOTA CENTER

Day

VCDC RED TALKS: Entrepreneurial Summit NOON - 1 P.M. VALIANT VINEYARDS WINERY

FEATURE STORY

Spirit of South Dakota

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

EVERYWHERE

Last year was a long year for ev eryone, bringing about even more changes to the world around us, but we at the VCDC sincerely believe that Vermillion is weath ering the storm and continuing to grow stronger as we approach 2023. While there are many factors that led to this growth over the last year, it’s due in part to the fact that entrepreneurial spirit abounds in Vermillion. People are interest ed in promoting small business es, shopping locally, supporting economic development projects, and even starting businesses of their own! Despite the ongoing pandemic, there’s been a spike in entrepreneurship and the desire to see businesses succeed.

The VCDC takes great pride in helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals, and one of our services that may not be as well-known is our incubator down stairs in the CoLab at McVicker. This space—which we lovingly re fer to as “The Cube”—has served in many different capacities since its creation, from housing startups to hosting temporary office space for already-established businesses.

Currently working in the cube is Sue Galvin, a former educator and elementary school principal, who is using the space to develop

educational games that teachers can use to help empower chil dren. “Big FUN Toybox believes that confident kids learn and understand more in and outside of the classroom. This revolution ary technique builds confidence by blending celebration and play with enjoyable games where kids learn how to learn at a higher level.” Partnering with the VCDC gave Sue the ability to connect with people and resources that would help her develop her prod uct, and working in the middle of another business’ space allows her to meet other people and get ideas to better her business.

“The incubator is actually a pris tine model in the sense that it’s kind of the heartbeat of the com munity; it sits right in the middle of everybody and everything. It’s such an asset just to listen to the day-to-day transactions at Charlie’s, to listen to what’s working and what’s not working. Every time I walk down the street and visit with community members... they help redefine my thinking so we can make this possible. For anybody that has an idea, I would encourage them to pick up the phone and call the VCDC and just say ‘Hey, I have this idea,’ because they can really make your dreams become reality.”

Another business that has recently found success in Vermillion de spite the pandemic is Outside of a Dog Books & Games, which hosts game nights and literary events, and has supplies for everyone from the smallest readers to the most devoted tabletop gamers. Though his wife had encouraged him many times over the years to open a bookstore, owner Mike Phelan had never even consid ered starting a business until he moved to Vermillion. After finding out that there was interest in the community for a bookstore, and after receiving support from other small business owners, he started Outside of a Dog, and it’s been growing ever since.

Vermillion’s entrepreneurial spir it even extends to the youth in the community. Every spring, the VCDC collaborates with the high school to teach students about business. As part of an economic development unit, students pres ent ideas for businesses, products, or apps, and receive professional guidance to help them succeed in their endeavors. Students that are interested in pursuing these ideas outside of the classroom are given the chance to develop them further, then present them to a panel of judges in a Shark Tankstyle event.

FEATURE STORY

This year’s event saw so many interesting ideas, from heated scis sors to mental health services to apps for finding local babysitters, and awards were given for Best Research, Best Presentation, and Best Investment. Best Research went to ASAP Jewelry, who, after surveying their classmates about safety and discretion, developed the idea for a necklace that con tains technology to alert trusted contacts if the wearer feels un safe. Best Presentation went to the Bedside Pholder group, who 3D printed a phone holder that can stick to walls and other sur faces. Best Investment went to the Stud Finder Drill Battery, which combined a stud finder with a re chargeable drill battery for conve nience in home improvement and construction projects.

These events encourage students to collaborate with their peers and think critically about business. Those that are serious about their ideas are invited to work with the VCDC to bring them to fruition. There are so many resources in Vermillion to help people be come entrepreneurs, we at the VCDC want to make sure they’re available to everyone who needs them—including students!

Economically, the city and the state are in a good place as well. South Dakota as a whole saw $4.4 billion in tourism revenue for 2021, generating $345 million in taxable revenue for the state. Vermillion itself collected over $5 million in first-, second-, and third-penny sales tax for 2021, an increase of $660,000 from 2020.

There’s never been a time quite like this for business owners. Vermil lion’s entrepreneurial spirit, com bined with the recent economic growth in town and across the state, has helped supplement the environment needed for business es to thrive. It’s this kind of environ ment that can truly help build the community and make Vermillion a great place to live and work.

Spirit of South Dakota

Pictured: Sue Galvin and Sally Hakin, Entrepreneur Major at USD Business School

Pictured: Sue and Sally working in “The Cube,” the VCDC’s incubator.

Pictured: Mike Phelan, Phelan family and VCDC crew at official ribbon cutting

CHAMBER

Spirit of South Dakota

VITAL WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!

Dakota Center

912 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 223.0033

South Dakota Rehabilitation Services

3113 Spruce St., Ste. 128 Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 668.3050

Hollarr

9 W. Main St. Vermillion, SD 57069

TED Properties

Bluestone Federal Credit Union

901 N W Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 367.7070

USD Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic

414 E. Clark St. – McKusick Technology Center Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 658.3870

1504 Rockwell Tr. Vermillion, SD 57069 (707) 888.4922

Danish Girl Marketing, LLC

CMOORE Pits & Pots

1322 Overdrive Rd. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 202.0461

Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion

23 W. Main St., Ste. 101 Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 659.4517

612 E. Washington St. Elk Point, SD 57025 (605) 670.2621

Resilient Church

912 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 215.1262

The Tax Walk

31711 469th Ave., Ste. 201a Burbank, SD 57010 (801) 228.7935

CHAMBER

NFAA Easton Yankton

Archery Center

800 Archery Ln. Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 260.9279

South Dakota

Manufacturing and Technology Solutions

5116 S. Solberg Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57107 (605) 201.7892

JOIN THE CHAMBER!

Roel Plumbing, LLC

617 W. Cedar St. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 659.5451

John A. Conkling Distributing

44414 SD Hwy 50 Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665.9351

The Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company is here to support you in starting, growing, or expanding your business! Email VCDC@ VermillionChamber.com if you would like to sign up or register online at www.livevermillion.com.

Hickman Power Washing, LLC

515 Prentis Ave. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 360.4801

Sabor a Mexico

FB: @saboramexicovermillionsd

CHAMBER

VERBATIM MEMBER NEWS

banner associates

Spirit of South Dakota

This is a big year for us at Banner Associates! We are proud to be recognized once again by Prairie Business Magazine as one of the 50 Best Places to Work 2021. On top of that, this is our 75th anniversary! And the good news doesn’t stop there: we added Joe Stonesifer, PE to our Vermillion office to bring you even more of the best in engineering services.

Joe brings years of experience from various roles. During his college years, Joe worked at the Brookings Wastewater Treatment Facility. He moved to Pierre after graduation and worked with the DENR on water rights and surface water quality programs. Lance Weatherly, another of our engineers, hired Joe as a staff engineer for the drainage program at the City of Sioux Falls. Most recently, Joe was the City Engineer for the City of Harrisburg. He has served in the public sector nearly all his career, and we are thrilled to add his wealth of knowledge and talent to our Vermillion office!

From all of us at Banner, we want to say thank you for so many years of amazing projects. Seeing Vermillion grow and make life better for residents and visitors alike is great; knowing we had a part in this progress is an honor. Here’s to 75 more years of Engineering a Better Community!

CHAMBER

MAZing acres

Spirit of South Dakota

Mazing Acres Pumpkin Patch has been planning and prepping for fall all year long! We’re adding attractions, planting new pumpkin varieties, and bringing in unique entertainment. Stay tuned to our website and social media pages for all the fall fun at South Dakota’s premiere pumpkin patch! But that’s not all. Mazing Acres is now offering a concierge pumpkin delivery and design service to your home or office. Reserve your pumpkin delivery and design from Mazing Porches, available now!

THIRDs MEDIA

The ThirdsMedia team understands the benefits of branding your business and bringing awareness to it; we provide a wide array of services including, but not limited to: social media management, strategic marketing, photography and videography, website development, Traveler's Assurance (maintaining Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, photos, and reviews), event planning, and strategic business consulting. We get our partners back to building their businesses instead of running them.

ThirdsMedia, LLC Vermillion, SD 57069 (303) 621-5065 www.ThirdsMedia.com

CHAMBER

VESTED FEATURE MEMBER BENEFIT

Spirit of South Dakota

As one of our foremost membership benefits, we offer Ribbon Cuttings for new members to help kick off their businesses and welcome them into the VCDC family. Ribbon Cuttings are a great way to introduce your new or expanding business to the rest of the community. Just let us know when and where, and the VCDC will do the rest—we’ll take care of promotions, invite local business leaders, and emcee the event. We even bring the ribbon and scissors!

VILLAGERS

NEW EMPLOYEEWYNIE MAE’S

Hello! My name is Mercedes Lecklider! I’m 23 years old, and I’m from Hoven, SD.

I graduated from the Lake Area Technical College Cosmetology program in 2018, and I have been in Vermillion since August 2021. I love working with clients and establishing a great relationship with them. I also love work ing with kids, whether it is their first cut or their tenth. I enjoy performing eyelash lift and tints, all kinds of hair colors, and will be certified in handtied extensions! I can’t wait to meet and work with you all!

Manager of the Vermillion location.

Taylor has been with CorTrust Bank since 2018, and will oversee the dayto-day operations of the Vermillion location while still serving customers with their lending needs.

Vice President Branch Manager

Mercedes Lecklider Taylor Kathol CorTrust Bank is pleased to announce Taylor Kathol has been promoted to Vice President/Branch

Welcome - NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MEMBERS

• Stephanie Otto

• Alexis Collins

• Katie Carter

• Bailey Elizabeth Quanbeck

• Tanner Frost

• Amelia Harrington

• Amberly Baus

• Jacey Anderberg

• Kia Kronaizl

• Douglas Kronaizl

• Kailynn Skotvold

• Mokhlisur Rahman

• Hillary Sosinski

• McKenna Kutz

• Payton Ryz

• Michael Runde

He is looking forward to continuing to build strong relationships and supporting the local community.

• Sam Craig

• Melissa Eberts

• Miranda Zahn

• Joe Vito Moubry

• Mason John Buth

• Thejaswini Paripally

• Nick Gilbert

CHAMBER

VELOCITY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

to meet folks from all walks of life. Obviously, we’re all young professionals, but the number of disciplines is fascinating. You can just sit there and listen to a brainstorming session, or even just some of the life stories, and it’s an absolutely compelling experience. I would recommend it to anyone integrated into the Vermillion community.

Spirit of South Dakota

Kasen Lambeth

What is your name, and where can folks find you most of the time?

Kasen Lambeth. You can find me at 121 East Main Street in Vermil lion, or 102 West Main Street in Elk Point—I try to split my days be tween the two communities.

How did you first begin participating in Vermillion NEXT?

I had a private practice for a while back when Vermillion NEXT was at the public library, and became in volved through Kelsey Collier-Wise. I left town for a bit to work off my student debt, and when I returned to Vermillion to reopen my prac tice, Brittany DeJong reached out to me and we got things running again.

What do you think people should know about Vermillion NEXT?

Vermillion NEXT is a very interesting community. You have a chance

What do you hope to accomplish in the community?

In my professional life, I want to provide excellent legal services to the people of Vermillion and to the broader South Dakota community. I want to be some body that they can trust with their secrets, somebody that they can trust in the sense that they know that their case is going to be handled with care and profession alism. I also want them to know that to be a lawyer is to be human. I’m not this far-off creature that leers at you from my perch behind my desk; I want people to know that I’m a person too, that I have many of the same hobbies as many of the folks here in town. I hope to get more integrated into the community at large, offering my services where possible, and not just my legal expertise. Also, I want to learn about the people of Vermillion. It’s always a pleasure to meet new friends.

Why do you think Vermillion is a great place to be a young professional?

Vermillion offers a very unique experience for everyone who lives here. We have some of the finest restaurants around—in my opinion, Silk Road should be designated a national treasure—but beyond that, it’s fascinating to see all of the different backgrounds that other people have. You meet so many people from so many different industries and are able to get insight on a very one-to-one level, and I think that many young professionals can be drawn to that because it’s such a welcoming community, where people are more than happy to talk about what they do free from all of the baggage of trying to brag about themselves.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Twenty?

In five years, I see myself here— downtown Vermillion, and in Union County. Hopefully I have a few more attorneys working with me; I’d like to expand our firm and expand the areas of law we practice, thereby increasing the number of people we serve. In 20 years, with the help of the people of Vermillion and southeastern South Dakota, I’d like to be managing a large firm that I built from scratch. That’s the dream!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Spirit of South Dakota

WHY VERMILLION? Chabli Hodge

Where are you from?

I am from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What inspired you to move to Vermillion? I moved to Vermillion after my husband took a position at the University.

What do you do to be engaged in the community? How would you encourage others to be more engaged?

I attend community and University events and volunteer to stay engaged in the community. There are so many things newcomers could do to get involved. From attending religious services to joining groups at the library to attending trivia night at the Dakota BrickHouse... there are so many ways to meet and get connected!

What are some of the aspects you really enjoy about the community, and how have you grown here?

Vermillion is a very supportive community. In my various positions, I have had the honor of working with various stakeholders and community organizations. Everyone is always willing to volun teer their time and/or financial resources to assist those in need.

I have grown so much since moving to Vermillion. I have started a private practice in 2020, The Coping Center, and I serve as an Instructor/Field Educator for the undergraduate Social Work program. Go Yotes!

Vermillion is a great community and I am enjoying every minute of being in the Miami of South Dakota.

Chabli Hodge

Chabli Hodge, LCSW-PIP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive practice experience working with diverse populations. Graduating from Barry University with a Master’s degree in Social Work and holding licensure in South Dakota and Florida has granted Chabli the opportunity to utilize her skills across a variety of settings includ ing outpatient specialty clinics, crisis intervention, program development, and administration. In addition, Chabli provides consultation and training for schools and human services organiza tions and clinical and administrative supervision to students and registered social work interns.

Housing

ECONOMIC

Spirit of South

chamber memberships

2008

city tax revenues

Thank You, VERMILLION

Celebrating 150 Years of South Dakota Banking

When First Dakota National Bank opened its doors in 1872, it became the first fully chartered bank of the Dakota Territory. Today — 150 years later — we’ve never been prouder to do business in the good state of South Dakota, and we remain committed to supporting the dreams of our customers. To all the farmers, families, and businesses who have traveled with us over the years, thank you.

A Year of Gratitude

We’re spending our sesquicentennial giving back to our local South Dakota communities. Join the celebration at www.firstdakota.com/150.

SCAN ME TO LEARN MORE

Presorted Std. US Postage PAID Vermillion, SD Permit 84