Cyclists to Roll into Vermillion for Tour de Nebraska
Vermillion is a host city for the 38th Annual Tour de Nebraska, taking place June 23–28. The tour follows a loop route beginning and ending in Hartington, Nebraska, with riders traveling approximately 50 miles per day. Overnight stays are planned in Hartington, Vermillion and Crofton, with Vermillion hosting riders for two nights on June 24 and 25. Along the route, cyclists will stop in surrounding communities every 12 miles, including in Elk Point, Akron, Spink, Wakonda, Volin and Mission Hill. Tour de
DANR Recognizes City of Vermillion for Drinking Water Compliance
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the City of Vermillion Public Water System and the system’s certified operators have been awarded a Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement Award. The award is for outstanding water system operations and environmental compliance with state drinking water standards for the past year. “Safe and dependable drinking water plays an important role in protecting public health and supporting economic growth,” said DANR
VCDC Annual Celebration Recognizes Excellence in Business and Community Leadership
Businesses, organizations and individuals were honored at the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company’s Annual Celebration on Thursday, April 9. The VCDC Annual Celebration, Vermillion’s premier business event of the year, recognizes the businesses, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and individuals who make the Vermillion area a great place to live and work. Awards were presented to those who have demonstrated commitment to the community through leadership, service and innovation.Larry Brady was presented
Welcome to the artsHUB, A New Community Connection Resource
The Vermillion Cultural Association (VCA) has launched a digital resource to connect artists and arts orgs with the community and each other, including an arts-only events calendar. VCA is hosting an in-person “Welcome to the artsHUB” exploration on Saturday, April 18, from 4-6 p.m. in the First Dakota Coyote Gallery. They will provide a walkthrough of the artsHUB’s features and help creators, organizations, and venue owners create directory profiles. When VCA stepped into the role of arts council in June
Vermillion Named a Tree City USA Community for 41st Year
The City of Vermillion Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that Vermillion has been named a Tree City USA community for the 41st year. Tree City USA recognizes communities that meet standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and National Association of State Foresters. Vermillion is proud to continue its long-standing commitment to growing and protecting trees throughout the community. In recognition of the Parks and Recreation Department being awarded Tree City USA status for the
CorTrust Bank Partners with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to Award Funds to Sesdac, Inc.
CorTrust Bank, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to award Sesdac, Inc. a $8,750 grant from the Member Impact Fund. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding $12.9 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Alaska, South Dakota, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. “CorTrust Bank is proud to partner with FHLB Des Moines to contribute funds towards causes that are a driving
National Music Museum Featured on 'World's Greatest...' Music Museum
The National Music Museum (NMM) in Vermillion, South Dakota, will be featured on the nationally broadcast television program “World’s Greatest!…”, a series that highlights outstanding organizations, destinations, and innovations from around the world. The segment showcasing the NMM will air on Bloomberg Television on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and again on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. Central Time for both cable and satellite viewers. Following the airing, the segment will be available on the
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
The Strategic Advantages of Personalized Direct Mail for Modern Companies
In a digital-first world, personalized direct mail has re-emerged as a powerful marketing channel for businesses seeking meaningful customer engagement. Unlike mass email blasts or social media ads that compete for seconds of attention, personalized direct mail creates a tangible, memorable touchpoint. When used strategically, it blends data-driven targeting with physical presence, giving businesses a distinctive edge in crowded markets.Why Personalized Direct Mail Still Works Personalized direct mail
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 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
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
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
