City of Vermillion Announces Opening Dates for Cotton Park Courts & The Bluffs Golf Course
Spring has arrived, and the City of Vermillion Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the opening of The Courts at Cotton Park and The Bluffs Golf Course. The Courts at Cotton Park Opening Day Pickleball and tennis courts will open Monday, March 9, 2026, at 12 p.m. (Noon) Limited restroom facilities will be available at Cotton Park during this early-season period. Following Monday’s opening, the pickleball courts will be open daily from sunrise to sunset. All visitors are asked to
Old Lumber Company Wins 2026 Vermillion Pizza Battle
Old Lumber Company Grill and Bar has been crowned the winner of the 2026 Vermillion Pizza Battle. Their Maverick pizza earned the highest score from voters, impressing participants with its combination of pepperoni, bacon, cream cheese and jalapeños. During the month-long competition in February, Old Lumber Company sold 413 Maverick pizzas. “We couldn’t have done it without our staff,” said Owner Chad Grunewaldt. “They put a lot of work into making sure every pizza that came out of the kitchen was
CorTrust Mortgage Expands Access to Affordable Homeownership
CorTrust Mortgage and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) have joined forces to offer Mortgage Rate Relief, a housing affordability initiative designed to support income- qualified homebuyers by reducing mortgage interest rates up to 1.5% lower than the current market rate. The interest savings can be the difference in making the dream of homeownership a reality. “We’re very excited to be offering this product in partnership with FHLB Des Moines. We want to help make homeownership
Cornerstones Career Learning Center Survey
Cornerstones Career Learning Center wants to hear from you! Take their quick survey to help guide how federal, state, and local funds are reinvested into workforce education, training and skill-building in our community. Your feedback helps shape programs like workplace Spanish and English, Foundational Skills, Essential Skills, and Technical Skills. The survey is open now through March 31. Share your input and help support local workforce development. Take the survey.
Two Titles, One Town: Vermillion Named Community of the Year and Best Small Town Arts Scene
The Vermillion area community is celebrating two major recognitions this week. The city was named Community of the Year by the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Best Small Town Arts Scene by the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards. “It is a special week for Vermillion,” said Mayor Jon Cole. “It is an honor to not only be named the Community of the Year, but to once again be recognized as having the Best Small Town Arts Scene in the nation.”COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR Vermillion was
Vermillion High School to Compete in Statewide Culinary Competition
Vermillion High School is one of 12 high schools from across South Dakota that will compete in the South Dakota ProStart® Invitational, a statewide competition focused on culinary arts and restaurant management, administered by the South Dakota Retailers Association. The competition kicks off Monday, March 9, at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Pierre, with the cake decorating competition beginning at 2 p.m. Cake decorating, restaurant management and culinary competitions will continue at 8:45
Vermillion Community Theatre Announces Ambitious and Heartfelt 2026 Season
Vermillion Community Theatre (VCT) unveiled plans for an exciting and ambitious 2026 season during a special gathering of supporters and donors at the AV Lounge. The event celebrated a record-setting year and looked ahead to an even more dynamic season of performances, youth programming and community engagement. Kurt Hackemer, chair of the VCT Board of Directors, opened the evening by reflecting on what he called “a banner year” for the organization in 2025. Highlights included one of the most attended
City of Vermillion Kicks Off Safe Streets for All Project with Website & Survey
The City of Vermillion, in partnership with the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG), has initiated a Regional Safe Streets for All Plan that will enhance transportation safety, prevent injuries and save lives across all Vermillion streets and roadways. A project website has been unveiled to engage the public about the project which can be found on the City website or directly at https://tinyurl.com/SECOG-SS4A. To help better understand the public’s street and roadway safety concerns, the City
Retailers Association 2026 Scholarship Open
For more than 30 years the South Dakota Retailers Association has awarded scholarships to South Dakota students pursuing an education in retail, trades, or hospitality. The Retailers Association is continuing that tradition in 2026. The application period for the 2026 scholarship cycle is now open. The application is available here: www.sdra.org/scholarships.html. Nathan Sanderson, South Dakota Retailers Association Executive Director, says the Association is looking for students who are gunning for
From Rising Stars to Lasting Legends, South Dakota Celebrates Tourism Excellence
PIERRE, S.D. – Twelve awards were presented honoring businesses and individuals for outstanding achievements and contributions to the tourism industry. Winners received their awards from Governor Larry Rhoden and James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism (Travel South Dakota), on Thursday night at the 2026 South Dakota Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The Governor’s Tourism Rising Star Award was presented to Phoebe Caldwell* of Spearfish. This award recognizes an individual who has worked in the
United Way of Vermillion to Offer Free Tax Preparation Services
United Way of Vermillion is again providing free tax preparation services at the Community Connection Center through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This initiative aims to assist individuals and families in need by offering reliable and trustworthy tax preparation at no cost. The VITA program has been serving communities for over 50 years, providing free tax help to individuals who generally make $70,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and retireess on fixed incomes. While the IRS
Over $15,000 Donated Through CorTrust Cares Jeans Day Program
CorTrust Bank is using “casual Fridays” to give back to local community causes. Through the CorTrust Cares Jeans Day program, employees can wear jeans on Fridays in exchange for a financial gift. This charitable giving initiative offers a centralized way for each CorTrust market to uplift worthwhile causes. In 2025, the program donated $15,851.67 to local nonprofits in the areas they serve. These funds helped over 30 organizations, including: LifeScape, The Main Street Center, Mitchell Snack Pack,
ISG Recognized as a 2025-26 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm for the Fourth Consecutive Cycle
ISG has been recognized as a 2025–26 Emerging Professional Friendly Firm for the fourth cycle in a row, named by the Emerging Professionals Committees of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chapters of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota! This recognition celebrates firms that actively support the next generation of architects and designers, and we are proud to be one of them. I feel that ISG has always been intentional about creating an environment where emerging professionals feel
Everyday Tech Wins — How Local Businesses Can Save Time, Cut Costs, and Stress Less
Running a business in a place like Vermillion isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about finding tools that actually make life easier. The good news? You don’t need big systems or fancy software to run efficiently. Sometimes, the smallest tools can create the biggest time savings.TL;DR Local businesses can streamline daily operations with simple tools already on their devices — from calendar scheduling and digital payment systems to file-sharing apps and quick design platforms. Small, consistent
Start Smart, Grow Strong: A Founder’s Guide to Turning Vision into a Thriving Business
Launching your dream business isn’t just about passion — it’s about structure, vision, and strategic execution. The difference between an inspired idea and a thriving enterprise often lies in how well you align creativity with operational clarity. Below, we’ll explore actionable steps and systems that help founders build sustainable, growth-ready businesses. Clarify the Vision and Market Fit Every dream business begins with purpose — but purpose alone isn’t a business model.Before investing in
How to Promote a Local Event on a Shoestring Budget
Promoting an event without a big budget doesn’t mean you’re stuck with half-baked flyers and empty chairs. In fact, some of the most effective tactics cost little more than creativity, timing, and sweat equity. If you're a small business owner trying to get people in the door, the rules are different—you don’t need a national campaign, you need one that cuts through in your zip code. Here’s how to do it right, without draining your wallet. Start with Creative Guerrilla Buzz Tactics You don’t need
Buying a Struggling Business? Here’s How to Revive It for the Market You’re In Now
There’s a kind of pull that happens when you spot a business with bones. Maybe it’s the walk-in traffic. Maybe it’s the brand equity that’s still whispering through the dust. Or maybe it’s just the price tag — irresistible, because it comes with risk. But let’s not romanticize it: buying a failing business is a knife’s edge move. One that demands clarity, rhythm, and brutal specificity. If you’re going to do it, you need to know exactly where to look, what to keep, and what to rip out.Spot the spark, not
How Small Businesses Can Handle Organizational Shifts
Organizational change isn’t just for sprawling corporate skyscrapers with mission statements etched in glass. It’s for you, in the corner café with the espresso machine that rattles like it’s alive. It’s for the two-person accounting firm working out of a garage that still smells like oil. The moment you decide to shift how your business runs—whether it’s hiring a new manager, switching software, or moving your entire operation online—you’ve entered the ever-messy, deeply human, and rarely linear world of
Strengthen Your Business with a Streamlined Client Onboarding Experience
In the competitive landscape of service-based industries, the client onboarding process is a pivotal moment that can set the tone for future interactions. A well-executed onboarding experience not only enhances client satisfaction but also lays the groundwork for enduring partnerships. By integrating smart strategies and leveraging technology, businesses can transform onboarding from a routine task into a strategic advantage. This approach not only streamlines operations but also demonstrates a commitment
