VIEWPOINT Notes from the Leadership NOTE FROM The CEO
If there is one thing we all know well, it is that Vermillion is not a sleepy town. Things are happening, especially in the business community, where we have had several developments over the last few months.
We welcomed Mamacita's to town. We also had Recharge Training move in to the strip mall south of Wal-Mart. Across Princeton Avenue, Dollar Tree has finished construction, as has their neighbor, Les Schwab Tire Center. Wal-Mart completed their remodel, including the removal of the kiosk in the parking lot.
Downtown, MG Esthetics has moved into the old Boys & Girls Club office. The W Social House opened on Market Street as well as Sunstone Counseling. Doc’s opened on Main Street. In Meckling, Think 3D Solutions has established Culture Cove, a corporate retreat space and venue replete with amenities like an industrial kitchen, sauna, and boxing gym.
The community celebrated the opening of Vermillion Elementary School.
We implemented our $400,000 grant from Governor Kristi Noem’s Investment Plan for Child Care. Our implementation grant called, Vermillion Cares, focused: on Accessibility, Affordability and high-quality. We increased the capacity of infant/toddler and preschool by fifty-four slots with an additional twenty-one shortly. We upgraded facilities, purchased learning tools, and focused on teacher training.
Housing, childcare, and community enhancement continue to be a major focus. The VCDC initiated Grow Vermillion, a $1.5 Million Capital Campaign to raise funds to support housing solutions, workforce and talent acquisition, and community enhancement projects. For more information, go to livevermillion.com/grow-vermillion.
On the chamber side, I am happy to report that we have grown by 30 net new members to 361. We continue to host our Learning Lunches every month, bringing in education on topics like Initiated Measure 28, workforce recruitment, and marketing for small businesses. We will round out the year with the 9th Annual Standstill Parade of Lights in December, and then after a quick break we will welcome the Dakota Farm Show to town right away in January.
Thank you to all our members, friends, and community partners. Together, we have made this another great year; now, let’s make 2025 an even better one!
Peterson VCDC President & CEO
Jim
JIM PETERSON - ceo
VIEWPOINT
NOTE FROM The Chair
Every couple of years, it’s common for local development corporations to host a capital campaign to raise money for community projects. Vermillion has a proud history of these campaigns going all the way back to the first Vermillion NOW! campaign. I’m proud to serve as one of the co-chairs for Grow Vermillion, the VCDC’s newest capital campaign, and I’m excited to say that our fundraising efforts have been going well.
This campaign is dedicated to housing development and solutions, growing our workforce and talent base, and community
enhancement projects. We have a lot in store for the next five years, but some of the highlights include developing land to the east and north of Vermillion, working on a housing development like Bliss Pointe, expanding childcare options, and funding recreational amenities. Our goals are to grow the labor force by 1% annually; population by 1.5% annually; housing stock by 20+ single family beds & 20+ multi-family beds annually; and licensed childcare slots by 10+ annually.
I would also like to introduce my co-chairs for the campaign, Veronica Schmidt, CEO of Sanford Vermillion, and Taylor Kathol, Vice President and Branch Manager of CorTrust Bank in Vermillion. These two have done an incredible job in leading the charge on this campaign, and I’ve asked them to share their experience so far.
From Veronica: “Grow Vermillion has created opportunities for community conversations around what makes Vermillion a great place to live and how we work together to make it even better. Improving access to all price points of housing and daycare for young families will help retain local talent and recruit new talent to Vermillion. At the same time, the goals focus on amenities and housing for seniors looking to retire in Vermillion. In all stages of life, the quality of life
enjoyed in a smaller town with big time amenities makes every story of why someone chooses Vermillion as unique as the next. It’s been a pleasure hearing those stories and envisioning Vermillion’s future together.”
From Taylor: “Vermillion has always been a place for growth. Students and professionals alike arrive to our community and aspire to enhance their lives. Grow Vermillion’s goal is exactly that: to enhance the lives of community members by providing housing solutions, workforce development, and recreational activities. Growing up less than an hour south of Vermillion, very seldom would my family ever visit. However, since moving to town over six years ago I have been pleased to find a community that is so welcoming and unified. It has been exciting to be a part of Vermillion’s growth since arriving to town and this campaign will continue to carry that momentum forward by providing community enhancements for generations to come.”
As I sign off, I’d like to invite everyone to the Grow Vermillion Wrap Party that's in the works. Keep an eye out for more details to come!
Joe Hoose 2024-2026 Board of Directors, Chair
JOE HOOSE - chair
S T A R T 2 0 2 5 W I T H A N E W C A R E E R
VENTURE
SUMMER+FALL EVENTS IN REVIEW
Thursdays on the platz
Our 2024 Thursdays On The Platz music series saw over 1600 people descend on the Ratingen Platz during its seven week run. We welcomed two new acts to the stage: 97 West, a ‘90s cover band, and The Barn Flies, an alternative country and folk group from Madison, SD.
Other standouts include the new fire hydrant sprinkler and inflatables for kids, spotting daytime satellites with the USD Astronomy Club, announcing the winner of this year’s Burger Battle (congrats, Fayuca!), and the unveiling of the new USD Athletics logo.
Newcomer Fayuca took the crown in this year’s battle with their Chori-Queso burger, a delicious stack of asada seasoning, lettuce, pico de gallo, chorizo, and queso, with a grilled jalapeño on top. In total, we had 15 restaurants compete, 825 votes, 2,059 burgers sold, and over $37,000 in economic impact.
Participaants included returning restaurants Café Brulé, Cee Cee’s, Dakota Brick House, Vermillion Fraternal Order of Eagles, Hartford Steak House, Leo’s, Main Street Pub, Old Lumber Company, Toby’s Lounge, and Whimp’s Place, as well as new faces Bunyan’s, Fayuca, The Hay Shed (Gayville), The Pit (Wakonda), and Valiant Vineyards.
The Clay County Fair is the best three days of country fun you can get in this part of the state, and this year’s event was no exception. Fairgoers were treated to animal shows, community feeds, local live music, horse rides, mini golf, robotics challenges, cornhole tournaments, herpetology exhibits, honeybee demonstrations, and tons and tons of vendors. Did we mention the pulse-pounding bull riding and explosive demolition derby? Spectators had to get in early for good seats—the arena was positively packed!
Vermillion burger battle clay county fair
VENTURE
Ribs, Rods & Rock n’ Roll Oktoberfest
Twenty years—that’s how long this barbecue festival has been part of Vermillion. This year, they pulled out all the stops, bringing a host of new things to do. There was the people’s choice Wing War, where local restaurants battled to craft the best wing, as well as the HyVee Backyard BBQ Competition, where amateur teams cooked off to grill the tastiest rack of ribs. Tractors joined the ranks of cars lining main street for the new Nutrien Antique Tractor Show & Shine. Attendees were treated to a craft beer and adult games area, featuring axe throwing, cornhole, and giant Jenga. Sports fans rejoiced to see the Saturday USD vs. Wisconsin football game on the big screen outside CorTrust Bank.
Photo courtesy Vermillion Plain Talk
Oktoberfest made its triumphant return to Vermillion in the fall with wiener schnitzel, hammerschlagen, polka music, and beer galore. Attendees competed in stein holding competitions, crafted flower crowns, and dressed in their best traditional garb for the costume contest amid the drone of the Alphorn Klängen. The highlight of the night was the Bohemian Tractor Pull, where teams raced to lug a vintage tractor down main street—congratulations to All Ballz on Deck, with a time of 10.73 seconds!
ribbon cuttings
We’re known for our ribbon cuttings, and we had the chance to welcome several new businesses to the chamber in style since our last edition. We teamed up with Styles by Erica to show off all her new fashions; toured Culture Cove and explored the retreat’s awesome sauna, cold plunge pool, and dining facilities; and checked out MG Esthetics, Vermillion’s newest beauty parlor. We then wrapped up the season with ribbon cuttings celebrating the Walmart remodel and the grand opening of Les Schwab Tire Center.
VENTURE
4
THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON
Standstill Parade of lights
The 9th Annual Standstill Parade of Lights will be held in Historic Downtown Vermillion on Thursday, December 5th at 6 p.m. to officially kick off the holiday season. Check out the floats designed by Vermillion area businesses and organizations; enjoy music, carols, and a performance from the Vermillion Area Dance Organization: and drink lots of hot chocolate. Then, see Santa Claus as he officially lights the Vermillion Christmas Tree at the Ratingen Platz. A fun time for the whole family!
VENTURE
4 2 3
Dakota farm show
The Dakota Farm Show kicks off the new year January 7–9 in The DakotaDome, showcasing hundreds of exhibitors representing over 1,000 agricultural products and services!
Highlights include seminars by SDSU Extension, a Northland Ford Truck Giveaway, daily showbucks drawings, lunch served daily, and live Broadcasts by WNAX radio.
Fool's 48
In this community favorite, local teams have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film. To add a challenge, each team draws a genre from a hat at the Friday, March 28 evening kickoff event, and all teams must incorporate the same line of dialogue, prop, and location. Completed films will premeire Monday, March 31. It’s always a blockbuster event!
wacipi
Celebrate the rich tapestry of Native traditions, dance, and song with the 51st Annual Wacipi on Saturday, April 12th and Sunday, April 13th in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Plus, mark your calendar for the Native Alumni Dinner and Building Bridges Conference in the lead up to the Wacipi on April 11th!
VANTAGE Chamber News VERMILLION CHIC AN INTERVIEW WITH ERICA EICKHOFF
There are two things you can count on in Vermillion. The first is that despite our small size, there’s always something new going on. New events, new activities, new businesses—it’s in our town’s DNA. The second is that whatever the new thing is, there’s always a great story attached. To some, it may sound improbable that we recently welcomed a new downtown boutique owned by a hospice nurse from California, but in Vermillion, that’s just August.
Erica Eickhoff, owner of the boutique in question, Styles By Erica, was inspired to start her business after she moved to Yankton to attend college at Mount Marty. At the time, clothing boutiques in the area were few and far between, to the point where she
and her classmates had to travel to Sioux Falls for shopping trips. So, after finishing school and starting her job as a hospice nurse, she founded Styles by Erica in the basement of her house. The business began as an online shop, though eventually she opened up her basement to keep up with demand. Her fledgling business was so busy that even when she was out of the house working, people would stop by.
“Women were showing up to my house to shop on their lunch breaks. We had a nanny at the
time, and she would let me know that someone was there to shop. And I was like, okay, let them in. Like, just let them go downstairs. One customer would go down to my basement and she’d shop and just send me a picture of all the clothes she bought, and I’d send her an invoice in between patients. The demand was at the point that I either needed to stop the store and do nursing full time or I needed to do the store, and so I chose to quit my job and open a store.”
Erica opened her first storefront in a 1200 square foot space in a Fourth Street strip mall, a spot she quickly outgrew. Four months later, in February 2020, she purchased the current home of Styles by Erica in the heart of Yankton’s Meridian District. For the next few years, she explored the possibility of opening a new location, first in Brookings, then in Sioux Falls, then, finally, in Vermillion.
“There was one day I’m like, what about Vermillion? We come here a lot to eat—before I had this store, we were probably in Vermilion two or three times a week eating. There weren’t a ton of clothing
I’m a city girl. In high school, we used to drive up to LA to the Fashion District to get our prom dresses. “
shops; it kind of reminded me of my start in Yankton. Why not explore the possibilities of Vermilion?” Erica said. “And it’s kind of amazing, actually. The community, the shoppers, the fellow business owners—they’re all very supportive.”
The clothes, many of which Erica models herself, are sourced from fashion markets all over the country. The styles she curates for her store are inspired by her experience growing up with fashion in California, where she learned to have a look for every occasion.
“I’m a city girl. I was born and raised in the city. In high school, we used to drive up to LA to the Fashion District to get our prom dresses. When I came to Mount Marty, like for my 8 a.m. chemistry class, I was ready for school. I really just think it’s where I came from. We got dressed, we got ready. Myself, I have 18 different vibes. Like, one day I’m wearing a hat and leggings and a pair of sneakers, and then the next day I’m dressed up in a dress with a cute pair of shoes. And that’s honestly how we pick clothes.”
The payoff for travelling so far for fashion is palpable. True to its
roots, Styles By Erica hosts a busy online storefront and several social media channels, which allow Erica to show off her stock and put together outfits. As of 2024, the business has shipped to all 50 states and Canada, and its Instagram account boasts 15,000 followers. Maintaining this presence, however, is no mean feat.
“It’s like its own job. It is a beast. It’s helpful, especially on your slow store days, or in the winter when it’s negative 30 and cold and no
one is leaving their house, but we work it every day. I fully do the online myself. I'm very picky with the aesthetic and the vibe of everything. It’s every single day that we’re making reels, taking video, trying to get content to make something. It’s fun, but I’ll be honest, it’s a ton of work.”
VANTAGE
WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
W. Main St. Vermillion, SD (605) 624.9921
659.4349
1134 Princeton St. Vermillion, SD (605) 659.3838
(605) 996.5588
VANTAGE
Dakota
SD Hwy 115 Harrisburg, SD (605) 331.1404
Individual Members & Vermillion Next Young professionals:
Michaela Mohr
Ron Wieseler
Desire Walker
Ashley Lemons
Kevin Bliss
Brennyn Hawbaker
Bob Gregoire
Robin Schiro
Scott Wagner
Bergen Peterson
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VELOCITY
Total Employment in clay county
Source: Annual QCEW
average annual unemployment rate in Clay County
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data
median household income in clay county & South Dakota
Source: US Census Bureau
VELOCITY
City Taxes (in Dollars)
Source: City of Vermillion Annual Budget & Financial Report, Exhibit 4
Total Chamber Memberships
Source: Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company
Chamber membership breakdown
Source: Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company
We’re investing in Vermillion.
The Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company is dedicated to improving life in our town and county.
That’s why we launched Grow Vermillion, a $1.5 million capital campaign to further develop the Vermillion Area.
McVicker Plaza 2 E. Main Street, Suite 101
Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 624.5571
www.LiveVermillion.com VCDC@VermillionChamber.com
and Developments
