ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Mission:
To serve the Vermillion area and its businesses to grow and prosper
Our Values: Accountable, Integrity, Communication, Customer Focus, Fun, Team Connect.
Photo: Bohemian Tractor Pull at Oktoberfest
Jim Peterson A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
Happy New Year! Thank you to our members, community partners, the VCDC board and team for making 2024 a success in growing the Vermillion Area. As we look forward to 2025, your Chamber remains committed to our Mission: “To serve the Vermillion area and its businesses to grow and prosper.” We strive to provide the highest level of service to you in our three primary areas of focus—Economic Development, Chamber Services, and Tourism.
We look forward to building on our past successes with the emphasis on helping our members, with profitable growth in the ever-changing business climate. We are your advocates at the local and state government levels. We create opportunities for you to connect, network, highlight your business, obtain training, and strengthen relationships. Feel free to reach out to us any time. The VCDC is a small business in and of itself, and we strive to provide value to you and the community. We appreciate your continued support, and we look forward to another fun and exciting year.
Best regards,
VCDC Board of Directors 2024
Joe Hoose, USD Foundation, Term Ends 1/2026
Andy Schulz, First Bank & Trust, Term Ends 1/2026
Jeff Erickson, Erickson Solutions, Term Ends 1/2025
Dustin Sockness, Polaris, Term Ends 1/2025
Gregg Peters, Ace Hardware, Term Ends 1/2026
Bekki Engquist-Schroeder, Wynie Mae’s, Term Ends 1/2027
Matt Burbach, Nutrien, Term Ends 1/2026
Jessi Hanson, Maloney Real Estate, Term Ends 1/2027
Jon Cole, Vermillion Mayor (Appointed)
John Prescott, City of Vermillion (Appointed)
Veronica Schmidt, Sanford Vermillion, (Appointed)
Geoffrey Gray-Lobe, County Commissioner (Appointed)
Damon Alvey, Vermillion School District (Appointed)
Katey Ulrich, USD (Appointed)
OUR GOALS FOR 2025:
1. Financial Stewardship
2. Continue with city, county & USD engagement
3. Increase membership by 5%
4. Membership retention of 90%+
5. Grow labor force 1% annually
6. Grow population by 1.5% annually
7. Grow housing stock by 20+ single family homes & 20 + multi-family beds per year
8. Grow childcare by 10+ slots per year.
9. Create more activities & things to do
• Received $400k Childcare Implementation Grant
• Groundbreakings for Jack Powell Addition housing and Duke Street Townhomes
• 13 lots sold at Bliss Pointe II with 14 lots remaining
• 3 lots sold Bliss Pointe I with 1 lot remaining
• New Restaurants: Mamacita’s, El Nopal, and Che Quione (R-Pizza)
• Worked with local manufacturer on sales tax reinvestment and a state loan for expansion
• Continued work on acquiring land, housing, and workforce
150,000
Visitor’s
Regional/State
Childcare Grant Celebration
Ribbon Cutting
The $400,000 grant was given by GOED as part of Kristi Noem’s Investment Plan for Childcare. The program awarded funds statewide to recipients with creative and innovative plans to increase the number of childcare slots in their communities.
Vermillion was one of 13 awardees in March 2024.
Southeast Agriculture Tour
Attendees toured Fleurish Flower Farm and Jensen Farm, learning more about ag producers and their work. This new event aimed to connect Vermillion and rural residents.
Duke Street & Jack Powell
Groundbreakings
We broke ground on two sites this year that will bring homes and townhomes to Vermillion, increasing our housing stock.
Harvest Celebration
We celebrated the end of harvest season at Old Lumber Company, with the SD Farm Bureau awarding Olson Sod Farms the Friend of Agriculture Award for strengthening relationships between ag producers and agri-business.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest made its 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 competed in the Bohemian Tractor Pull.
9th Annual
Standstill Parade of Lights
Our 9th Annual Standstill Parade of Lights was featured in 605 Magazine!
GROW VERMILLION
Grow Vermillion is the VCDC’s $1.5 Million capital campaign to further develop the Vermillion area and improve quality of life in the community. With the community’s help, we’re able to pursue the following goals:
• Grow labor force by 1% annually
• Grow population by 1.5% annually
• Grow housing stock by 20+ single family beds & 20+ multi-family beds annually
• Grow our licensed childcare industry by 10+ slots annually
To achieve our goals, we’re focusing on three areas of improvement: Housing Development, Workforce & Talent Recruitment, and Community Enhancement.
A 2022 study concluded Vermillion’s housing supply is inadequate for current and future needs. We plan to address these needs with strategic investments in new and existing properties. Additional development of owner-occupied and rental properties will help our workforce and population continue to grow and thrive. We’re also working to leverage Vermillion’s community of hardworking individuals to help grow businesses in all sectors, including manufacturing, service, healthcare, and education. We will continue to expand our efforts to develop the working population and increase accessibility to childcare. The final leg of the campaign is the improvement of quality of life in Vermillion. We’re putting money toward recreation, promoting events, and supporting arts and cultural activities.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT & SOLUTIONS
• Develop land to the east and north of Vermillion
• Work on a development like Bliss Pointe
• Encourage an over fifty-five residential community
• Grow housing stock with a range of price points
• Pursue grant funding & management of funds
• Utilize the 2022 housing study as a resource to develop additional housing solutions
WORKFORCE & TALENT
• Attract, recruit, and retain talent in our community
• Connect students with employers
• Retain more graduates from USD and Vermillion area high schools
• Expand daycare options
• Leverage Vermillion School District CTE (career and technical education) offerings
• Raise awareness for career opportunities
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
• Support projects that continue to improve quality of life in Vermillion
• Continue to prioritize transportation options, housing affordability, arts and cultural amenities, parks & recreation activities, and entertainment and events to bring tourists to Vermillion
Download the LiveVermillion App!
Explore Vermillion with the LiveVermillion app, a handy directory that makes it easy to find any business or ser vice in the community.
See business information, operating hours, and con tact information, and save favorites for quick access later. See what’s happening in Vermillion with the built-in community calendar, and stay in the loop about special events and promotions with push noti fications.
A POWERFUL TOOL FOR BUSINESSES
Every business in the Vermillion Area receives a free listing in the LiveVermillion app. If you’re a business owner and don’t see your business, don’t worry—email vcdc@vermillionchamber.com and let us know to add you, or submit a listing directly through the app! Members of the VCDC also have the opportunity to edit their business listing, hours, photos, and links to websites and social media.
Businesses located outside the Vermillion Area receive a listing in the app upon joining the chamber!
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Want to market your brand? Promote a sale? Advertise on the LiveVermillion app with a splash screen ad, banner ad, or dedicated push notification.
