South Dakota Manufacturing Week 2020

South Dakota Manufacturing Week is September 28 - October 2, 2020. Here are a few fun facts about manufacturing in Day County:

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Find out about current career opportunities at DayCountyJobs.com.

Thanks to South Dakota Department of Labor for the statistics!

Land and Buildings Available in Webster Industrial Park

Build-to-Suit, Land & Building Opportunities in Webster Industrial Park

• Property A - 20 shovel-ready acres for build-to-suit or purchase with 70 adjacent acres for expansion. Owned by the Webster Area Development Corporation. 
• Property B - Former Dakotah building, a 74,789 sq. ft. building on 8.43 acres for lease or purchase. Owned by a private party and listed with a regional realtor. 
  

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We live the American dream in Webster and Day County, South Dakota. 

Our residents enjoy safety and security, a sense of community, short commute times, and opportunity. There is no shortage of unique attractions to take advantage of: Roslyn boasts the world’s only International Vinegar Museum, not to mention the dozens of lakes and hundreds of acres of public access hunting land in our area.

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Home of Visionaries

In 2014, our community came together in the creation of 22 vision boards that focused on workforce, housing, Main Street, walk/bike path, arts, and more. More than 100 residents have participated in turning these ideas into reality. 

• Early on, we celebrated three new speculative houses, a flourishing boutique scene, and the renovation of the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse.
• In 2017, we celebrated the opening of a new Career & Technical Education Center where Day County students take hands-on construction and manufacturing classes. 
• In 2020, we are celebrating a new walk/bike path connecting the healthcare complex to Main Street, new mural, and  new local recycling program.

Quality Health Care & Education

• Our hospital is finishing up a $5 million renovation. It is part of the extended network of Sanford Health and includes a hospital, clinic, physical therapy, vision center, dentist, visiting specialists, long-term care, and independent living all under one roof.
• Our commitment to education is evidenced by the quality of our facilities and measured by the successes of our students. Enrollment has surpassed 500 students K-12.
• Seven higher education institutions are just 45 minutes away. Watertown's Lake Area Technical College was awarded the "Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence" in 2017.

Second to None in Recreation

• Abundant wildlife has made Day County renowned for great hunting and fishing year-round. The area hosts several fishing tournaments and attracts thousands of avid hunters and outdoor enthusiasts annually. 
• Golf, bowling, basketball, volleyball, and baseball teams provide recreational and social opportunities for youth and adults. We have several soccer fields, new swimming pool and baseball/softball complex featuring three diamonds. During the winter, a regional trail system offers 85 miles of snowmobile trails.
  
  

We welcome you to the Webster area to tour properties and the community! 

Contact Melissa at (605) 345 3159 or wadc[at]itctel.com.

My Summer at the Economic Development Office

I started working at the Webster Area Development Corporation on April 15th, and this has been one of the greatest and most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Throughout this job, I have learned so much about my community and how to involve yourself with people around you. I never thought that I would meet half of the people I did, or even get closer to the people I had already known. 

I posted jobs on DayCountyJobs.com, pulled together the Wow Webster Gift Card Drive, and worked to help grow Day County. The Wow Webster Gift Card Drive has been the largest event that I have worked to put together, and it was so rewarding. I got closer with the owners of the businesses in town, and helped to raise $77,000 for our community. I never thought I could pull together an event like this, but it was so simple with the help of our community, the board, and Melissa. 

Kroll

Another event that took place this summer was Rural X 2020. Rural X 2020, is a conference for individuals to attend, providing ideas on how to build your community and your county. Even though I couldn’t attend this conference in person, it was still an amazing experience. I learned a lot about how to involve the youth upcoming into the community, how to promote events and organizations, and especially how to help your community during COVID-19. 

Over the rest of the summer, I attended virtual coffee meetings with other individuals from across the state, and we talked a lot about how we could improve connections with our community, and events we could throw for our community. I also attended board meetings, helped promote grants and loans, and advertised opportunities and spaces in Day County. 

These past few months, I  have learned so much about how together my community is.  I can’t thank everyone enough for being so supportive, and thank you to the board for giving me this opportunity! Melissa has shown me that our county has so many opportunities for everyone, and I can’t express how thankful I am to be given this opportunity. 

Emma Kroll

Wow Webster Campaign Update

We would like to give a huge thank you to the Webster businesses and to our Webster community for supporting each other during the Wow Webster Gift Card Drive. This drive raised $73,000 for the community, and more than 1,300 gift cards were distributed.

Reporter & Farmer | May 25, 2020

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The radiothon on May 7 was a huge success with over 400 callers. The matching fund of $31,950 ran out by Noon, and we can't thank everyone enough that helped us make this such an outstanding event.

A special thanks to all of the matching fund sponsors:

* City of Webster
* CorTrust Bank
* Coteau Hills Constuction
* Dacotah Bank
* Dave Hahler Automotive
* Delaney Nielsen & Sannes PC

* Bill & Susan Duerre

* Foothills Contracting
* Great Western Bank
* G Todd Garry PA
* Johnson Farms
* Mike's Jack & Jill
* Webster American Legion Post 40
* Webster Scale

Without their commitment, we wouldn't have been able to raise all of the money that we did to help support the local area during this time!

Reporter & Farmer | May 11, 2020

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We would also like to give a special thanks to all of our volunteers that have supported us and who took the time to help us during our Wow Webster Radiothon:

* Mandy Bartelt
* Tammy Block
* Kevin Bohn
* Cindy Hahler
* Tina Haug
* Jennifer Keller
* Nancy Kiefer
* Molly Leger
* Joyce Levsen
* Don Mahlen
* Amy Miller
* Teagan Miller
* Janice Pereboom
* Renae Worrel

Last, but not least, we would like to thank ITC, Jim Block and the Webster Area School District for letting us use the facility and for setting up the phone lines for the radiothon.

Thanks again to everyone!

#WowWebster  #SparkDayCounty

Webster City Council commits $25,000 to local gift card drive

Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 7, a very special day to support the small businesses you love in Webster, SD. Thanks to Webster City Council's unanimous vote on April 28, up to $25,000 of gift card purchases will be matched!

Watch for the full details very soon on our @WebsterAreaDev Facebook page, on our website, and in the Reporter & Farmer.

#WowWebster #SparkDayCounty

2019 Annual Meeting

Thank you to the great crowd that joined us for the 2019 Annual Meeting!

2019 Annual Meeting

We were pleased to kick off the evening with special presentations by Webster Area High School students who competed very well in the state-wide BIG Idea High School Business Competition this fall:

• Megan T. - Honorable Mention for "The Art of Kindness Project" 
• Annie W.- Honorable Mention for "Webster Community Club" 
• Holly V. - Marketing Design Honorable Mention for "Holly's Comfort"
• Mrs. Kaylan Pool, WAHS Digital Productions Instructor

BIG Idea Presentations - Holly V

Mattea K. was unable to join us that evening, but you can watch her presentation to 1 Million Cups Aberdeen (as well as Megan and Annie) at https://www.facebook.com/1MCAberdeenSD/videos/843016059445341.

Joe Fiala, Development Director at SD Governor's Office of Economic Development, followed the student presentations. He shared some key Day County facts as well as general details about SD GOED's goals and strategies.

Minutes were approved and G. Todd Garry presented the financials and explained the relationship between the Webster Development Corporation and Webster Area Development Corporation.

Tim McIntyre and Tom Sannes were reelected and Kelly Hanson was elected to his first term. Dan Menking was recognized for 25+ years dedicated to the WADC Board of Directors and Tom Sannes was recognized for 8 years as Board President. Kathy Meland was elected as Board President and Amy Miller as Vice-President.

The event wrapped up with Melissa Waldner, Executive Director, presenting highlights from 2019:

We have so much to be proud of in Day County!

Day County Hosts State-Wide Workshop

It was an honor to host one of the four annual Dakota Resources Learning Network gatherings in Day County this week. This training and networking opportunity was around "community engagement."

Executive Director Melissa Waldner worked closely with the Dakota Resources team and local business owners to create a valuable experience for the 25 community leaders that traveled from across South Dakota. A total of 38 joined us for the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol.

Thank you to The Galley Hotel Bar & Grill, Boomers Outback & Motel, Schmidt's Custom Meats, Roslyn Mini Mall, Bristol Sand Volleyball League, Webster Area Career & Technical Education Center, International Vinegar Museum, Jimmy J's Bar & Grill, Capitol Lanes Lounge & Cafe, Bristol Community Center, and First Savings Bank for your hospitality and participation!

Case Studies presented by Mike Knutson, Dakota Resources

Amy Miller sharing about Webster Area's career and technical education expansion

Kelly Hanson sharing about Roslyn's new mini mall and Schmidt's Custom Meats

Brenda Mammenga sharing about Bristol's sand volleyball league

Dakota Resources' Paula Jensen and Kristi Wagner showing how to host a World Cafe event

Samples at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn, SD

Networking at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn Mini Mall

Vinegar tasting by Mary Wagner at International Vinegar Museum

Souvenirs from International Vinegar Museum

International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, SD

Social and supper at Jimmy J's Bar & Grill in Roslyn, SD

Powerful Questions session with Joe Bartmann, Dakota Resources

Lunch at Capitol Cafe in Bristol, SD

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable hosted in Bristol Community Center

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol, SD

Angie Hammrich of WEB Water presents at the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable

Pierpont

Pierpont, South Dakota, is home to about 135 passionate residents and several businesses.

The town's investment in its parks is fantastic, including a playground with slides, swings, wooden train, and more, a baseball park with a competitive adult summer league, two basketball courts, and a picnic shelter. Pierpont Lake Recreation Area is also a popular gathering place near town.

Pierpont's business community features PONT's Pub & Grill, CorTrust Bank, U.S. Postal Service, Pierpont Supply & Service, Louie's Auto Sales, Tople Seeds, Holler Farms, Full Circle Ag, Better Roots Farm, Winnetou Productions, and more.

Pierpont's young people are educated at Langford Area School, located just a few miles north of town. Career and housing opportunities are available at daycountyjobs.com.

Discover the possibilities of this community located just seven miles north of U.S. Highway 12 on SD-27.

Follow Pierpont's updates at Facebook.com/pierpont.quasquicentennial

Andover

The board discussed challenges like how to address an overabundance of water and also successes such as a passionate baseball club’s many improvements—new LED lights and electronic scoreboard-- and the number of youth involved from around the area is nearly 40 playing this year.

Save the date for James Valley Threshing Association's annual show on Sept. 5-8 in Andover, and discover the possibilities of this community conveniently located right off Hwy 12!

Day County Proclaimed "Purple Heart County"

April 23, 2019, was a historic day for Day County when it was proclaimed a "Purple Heart County" and several communities within were named "Purple Heart Community" through Military Order of the Purple Heart, South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs and Day County Veterans Service Office.

Purple Heart recipients and their families were recognized as part of this special event. Thank you for your service.

Thanks to Janet Marx, this moment in history can be watched again and again here:

https://www.facebook.com/WebsterAreaDev/posts/10156514737939779