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

Summer Assistant Announcement

Hello! My name is Emma Kroll and I am the new, part-time, development assistant for the Webster Area Development Corporation.

A little bit about me, I am a sophomore at the University of South Dakota majoring in Social Work with a Child Welfare Specialization minor. I hold a vice president position in the sorority of Pi Beta Phi down in Vermillion, and we stay very involved with USD and the community.

With having to come back to Webster and finish this semester through online classes, I knew that I wanted to do something more with my free time, and figured why not find a way to stay connected with the Webster community. Applying for the WADC summer position was a perfect way to do so!

I am so excited to be working at WADC and get my hands into projects, and help provide resources for the businesses of Day County. I’ve always wanted to step in and help our community and businesses, and know that there is so much that Day County has to offer for everyone!

I am already on the job at Day County Development Office, Monday through Friday from 8AM - 12PM. I began on April 15 and will be a resource to you until about the middle of August. I can’t wait to get connected with Day County and help out our communities!

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