Yankton News and Info

Loest Takes Center Chair, Bridges On Commission’s Mind

Wednesday, January 08, 2020

It was reorganization day for the Yankton County Commission Tuesday, and it resulted in a new face in the center chair. This time, it was Commissioner Cheri Loest being elected as chairperson. She steps into the role that had been filled by Dan Klimisch for the past year. Commissioner Joseph Healy was subsequently elected co-chair. Following Tuesday night’s meeting, Loest told the press that she’s learned one major fact about local government over the past year. “I have learned why government moves as slow as it does,” she said. “There are lots of rules and regulations that folks often don’t understand. There’s reasons th...

Support Yankton’s Small Businesses on Nov. 30th and Beyond

Tuesday, December 03, 2019

November 30 is the 10th annual Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday that urges consumers to patronize small and independent businesses rather than online retailers or big box stores. American Express was behind the first Small Business Saturday, which started in 2010. The initial goal was to counter the negative effects of the recession on small businesses and local economies. The holiday quickly caught on. In 2011, the Senate passed a resolution in support of Small Business Saturday. Consumers have now spent an estimated $103 billion at independent retailers and restaurants over the since Small Business Saturdays’ inception. Small Businesses Make a Significant Economi...

Club on the Grow: B&G Club’s Success Detailed At YAPG Meeting

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

In its first years, the Boys & Girls Club of Yankton hasn’t gotten the numbers it was seeking — instead, it’s been far greater. The daily usage at the Yankton site has grown tenfold since its beginning, according to Tim Lease, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) of the Northern Plains. He shared the story of the club’s growth with Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG) members Tuesday. “When we first started (in Yankton), we had 20 youth a day who were using the club. Now, we’re near 200, and we have an average daily attendance of 46,” he told th...

Yankton High School Internship Program Steps into the Spotlight

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Other school districts are looking to copy Yankton’s successful internship program. Wednesday, the Yankton School District (YSD) hosted the first of several “CTE: See It In Action!” days set for the 2019-2020 school year by the South Dakota Department of Education. These events are intended to give participants a first-hand look at the top-notch internship programs school districts are providing across the state, as well as a chance to talk with the host districts’ staff and community partners about how to implement specific programs. Read the full article in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

New Chair of Mount Mary College’s Business Department is Helping to Bridge the Gap Between the College and Community

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Mount Mary College recently welcomed Jamison Rounds as the new chair of its business department. Rounds is no stranger to business - he founded a business valuation firm in Crooks, South Dakota - nor to education as he has taught a variety of courses at the University of South Dakota. In fact, if asked, he would tell you that he has spent his career at the intersection of education, economic development and small business. And, because faith is also an important component of Rounds’ life, he is particularly excited to be at Mount Mary College where faith and business are synchronous. Now...

Great Plains Processing Sets Up Shop in Yankton

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Great Plains Processing (GPP) is a Minnesota-based manufacturing company that produces animal feed products and has become a global leader in custom spray drying and blending for the feed industry. In addition to manufacturing, GPP annually distributes several thousand tons of finished products to over 40 countries from its facility in Luverne, Minnesota. Since 2000, the company has experienced a 20 percent growth year over year and as a response, the company realized they needed to open a second location. Roots in the Midwest GPP is headquartered in Luverne, Minnesota and looked for another location in the Midwest due to its central locatio...

Yankton Residents Can Influence Policy Through Polls

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Civic participation is integral to maintaining an effective democracy that truly represents the people. But according to a recent poll, only 12 percent of Americans reported having attended a meeting in their community in the previous year. Finding easy ways for busy citizens to participate in matters that affect them is a priority for the City of Yankton and Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG). That’s why we’ve partnered to test out an online platform to help gauge public opinion. Polco is an independent website and mobile app that integrates with social media. The civic participation technology platform educates citizens about current initiative...

Momentum At The Mount: MMC Fieldhouse Taking Shape; Residence Hall Work Set To Begin

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

now may be flying and winter is officially less than a week away, but construction season is still in full swing on the campus of Mount Marty College (MMC). The Ruth Donohoe First Dakota Fieldhouse and its neighbor — a brand new residence hall — remain on schedule for completion ahead of the 2020 fall semester. MMC Vice President of Operations Chad Altwine told the Press & Dakotan that a lot of work has been done on the fieldhouse over the last couple of months. “We’re getting the walls put up around it and we’re starting to run plumbing, mechanical and HVAC stuf...

A Surprise Rise? Yankton Revenue Growth Appears Strong In October

Thursday, December 05, 2019

Yankton city officials had been expecting a tough fall for sales tax revenues in 2019. Yet, it’s looking like this perceived gloom and doom may not be the case, at least through October. During a media preview a couple of weeks ago, Yankton City finance Officer Al Viereck said official revenue numbers have yet to be released by the state. Read the Full Article at the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

Labor Dept. Expands Apprenticeships

Thursday, November 14, 2019

PIERRE — The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) is providing $370,000 in incentive funding to help businesses and organizations expand the number of Registered Apprenticeships Programs in South Dakota. Businesses could apply for up to a maximum of $20,000 in funding to help offset the initial start-up costs when developing a new program. “Registered Apprenticeships are a great way for businesses to build a quality workforce with the exact skills they need to fill their openings,” said state DLR Secretary Marcia Hultman. “We have a pool of untapped workers ready to learn new skills, and this will expand training opportunities, especiall...

Seeking The Next Step: Following Layoffs, Employees Directed To Resources

Thursday, October 31, 2019

A rare round of layoffs has come to a Yankton manufacturer, but area resources are looking to make sure the disruption is as minimal as possible for employees. This week, 37 employees were laid off at Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc. (KPI). At the same time, management reached out to Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG) and the South Dakota Department of Labor to inquire about opportunities for the affected parties. Read the Full Article in the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

State of the Community Recap

Monday, October 28, 2019

Two of Yankton’s biggest education entities have their eyes firmly set on the future. During Tuesday’s Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce “State of the Community” address, Yankton School District (YSD) superintendent Dr. Wayne Kindle and Mount Marty College (MMC) president Dr. Marcus Long discussed their visions for the future. Read Full Article Here

Yankton's Hydro location receives Governor's safety award for the second straight year

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Hydro Yankton team recently received the South Dakota Governor’s “Meritorious Achievement Award in Occupational Safety” for the second year in a row. This award is given to businesses that show sustainable improvements across all safety programs with the goal of preventing injuries.

Yankton News and Info

Abby from Kolberg-Pioneer

Amanda from Hydro

Brittany with the City of Yankton

Yankton News and Info

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Abby from Kolberg-Pioneer

Amanda from Hydro

Brittany with the City of Yankton