Yankton News and Info

Survey suggests more economic growth ahead for Midwest

Friday, February 15, 2019

OMAHA, Neb. — A monthly survey of business leaders suggests that economic conditions continued to improve last month for nine Midwestern and Plains states, according to a report released. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 58.8 in October from 58.2 in September and 57.5 in August, the report states. "Both the national and our regional indices indicate the manufacturing sector is expanding at a very healthy pace and that this expansion will spill over into the broader national and regional economies in the next three to six months," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey. Continue to full article

Downtown Facade Grant Funds Available

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Applications are now available for 2019 grant funds to spruce up facades in Yankton’s Meridian District. The facade grant program seeks to provide multiple grants each year, including a 50 percent match of private funds, to grant funds for a total of $30,000 available in 2019. Preference will be given to projects that involve historic restorations, but new non-historic facade improvements are eligible as well. All projects must fall within a set of repair and enhancement guidelines and must occur on the portions of the building visible to the public. Owners and tenants of existing commercial property (excluding single family residences)...

Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs

Friday, December 28, 2018

Onward Yankton recently hosted its first ever regional entrepreneurship conference at Mount Marty College. “Lead. Serve. Impact. Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs” was a resounding success, according to chaperone Brady Muth and many of his students. Muth teaches economics and entrepreneurship at Yankton High School. He is also on the Onward Yankton Education Committee, which organized the inaugural conference in October. The event was free, thanks to a number of sponsorships and donations. It was geared toward cultivating creativity and entrepreneurship in high school and college students. A total of 450 students attended from 17 regional high schools and Mount Marty...

Why ‘micropolitan’ cities may be the key to rural resurgence

Friday, December 21, 2018

A development expert says small cities and towns can be catalysts for lagging rural counties While the nation’s diverse rural areas, which cover roughly 90 percent of the U.S. and provide a home for about 60 million Americans, are often dynamic and inviting, many have recently faced economic headwinds. Huge social shifts, like aging populations, declining manufacturing activity, and the clustering of tech and service jobs in cities, have left less-dense parts of the United States struggling to keep up, contributing to a negative, pernicious, and overblown narrative that some areas are “beyond hope.” That’s not the story of Findlay, Ohio, which offers...

The Best States For Business 2018: Behind The Numbers

Thursday, December 13, 2018

North Carolina ranks on top of Forbes’ Best States for Business for the second straight year. Our 13th annual ranking measures six categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. We factor in 41 metrics from 17 sources to determine the ranks across the six main areas. The overall ranks are based on a combination of ranks in the six main categories. Below is a breakdown of each category with the best and worst performer, along with the data sources. Continue to full article

Hydro Extrusions Illustrates Growth in Manufacturing

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

The manufacturing sector has been making a steady comeback since the Great Recession. There’s evidence of a national growth trajectory in manufacturing. Locally, the industry has grown too. Between 2008 and 2017, Yankton County saw a 6 percent increase in manufacturing jobs. By 2017, manufacturing jobs made up 25 percent of the county’s total employment. Hydro Extrusions is one of the companies that has been growing locally. The international company, headquartered in Oslo, provides aluminum extrusion, machining, fabrication and finishing services for a variety of industries, including construction, transportation and automotive. The company works a lot on commercial transportation and ag applications such...

Support Local Nonprofits on Giving Tuesday

Sunday, November 18, 2018

November 27 is Giving Tuesday, a day where people throughout our community, and the world, donate to the causes they are passionate about. This is a global day of giving. Unlike shopping holidays like Black Friday that focus on consumerism, this day is all about giving back to the community. It encourages us to look beyond the busyness of the holiday season and to consider those in our community who may need our help and support, along with the charities that are bridging the gap for those in need. Reasons to Support South Dakota Nonprofits Charities or nonprofits are an important part...

Supporting and Celebrating Female Entrepreneurs

Thursday, October 11, 2018

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. It’s an opportune time to recognize and celebrate female entrepreneurs and their impact on our economy. Amy Bailey is a prime example of a young local woman who has been building her business, A. Bailey Creative, with the help of resources in Yankton. She designs a range of graphic materials for clients, from printed and digital marketing pieces to logo and branding design. She also provides services like email marketing and website design. Bailey studied graphic design at Mount Marty College and later worked in its marketing department. While working at the college, she took on...

Backers Pitch Port Yankton

Thursday, February 14, 2019

While a hearing was held in Pierre to decide Port Yankton’s fate, backers of the project were continuing their pitch back in Yankton. Port Yankton project backers Bernie Hunhoff and Randy Johnson were both on hand at 1 Million Cups Wednesday morning — the same day the issue was to be heard by the Senate State Affairs Committee — to discuss where the proposal is at, at this point. Read the complete article here!

During Annual Meeting, YAPG Touts A Big Year Of Progress

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG) — as with many local entities — had a big 2018. During YAPG’s 2019 Annual Meeting Tuesday, the group took a little time to highlight those successes. “We had a very good year,” YAPG chairman Rob Stephenson said. “Maybe not as many big things going on as we had some other years, but still some great things.” Read the complete article here!

Creative Solution for Tourism and Veterans

Friday, February 08, 2019

By Nancy Wenande, CEO Every community that relies on tourism understands just how the ups and downs of the off-season impact the flow of business. Yankton has been working through the decades to find creative solutions to bring people to the community, not just in the beautiful summer months but also year-round. Port Yankton is a project that will not only support these regional efforts, but also create a revenue source that will have a statewide impact. Senate Joint Resolution 5 (SJR 5) is making its way through the Legislature right now. If approved, it would allow South Dakotans to decide whether to grant...

Port Yankton: Back On The Agenda

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

The Port Yankton dream is back, and this time, it has an even more compelling argument to make in its favor. That’s not to say that having the Legislature give it the OK to put it before voters in 2020 is a slam dunk. And it sure doesn’t mean that those who opposed the idea last year won’t fight it again this winter. Read the complete article here!

New Port Yankton Bill Introduced

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Backers of a casino and entertainment complex for Yankton are taking another attempt at a legislative route. On Tuesday, legislation was introduced in Pierre to amend the state constitution and allocate a casino license for Port Yankton to be considered by the voters of South Dakota in the 2020 general election. Read the complete article here!

Local Entities Lend A Hand To Furloughed Fed Workers

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Facebook Twitter Email Print Save Banks and the Yankton School District are extending a hand to help those federal workers who have been furloughed by the partial government shutdown. First Dakota National Bank president Rob Stephenson told the Press & Dakotan that it has its own federal worker assistance program. “Last week, we got our heads together and decided to offer a no-fee, no-interest (loan) program for federal workers that aren’t getting paid in our service communities,” Stephenson said. “Anybody is eligible that lives or works in our trade territory of our 19 offices. They don’t have to be a customer; they just have to be able...

City Moves Forward With Pool Engineering

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

With the successful election to build a new aquatic center in the city’s rearview mirror, the design of the facility is now on the horizon. On Monday, the Yankton City Commission unanimously voted 9-0 to approve a contract between the city and Stockwell Engineers, Inc., for design and professional services related to the Huether Family Aquatics Center. Read the complete article here!

Napa's Next Steps

Friday, January 11, 2019

Momentum is gathering on plans for the construction of a new local ethanol plant at Napa Junction and a new natural gas line to help supply it — along with many other potential locations throughout southeast South Dakota. Dakota Plains Ag, LLC., manager Matt Winsand told the Press & Dakotan that there’s been a lot of activity in the two weeks since the Yankton County Commission approved a conditional–use permit (CUP) for the facility. Read the complete article here!

Big Plans At Napa

Friday, December 14, 2018

The last year and a half has seen a grain shuttling facility opened and a pelleting plant beginning to take shape at Napa Junction. Now, Napa Junction may be achieving new heights in the near future. An ethanol plant and a private natural gas pipeline to feed the operation — along with much of southeast South Dakota — are on the table for the development. Read the complete article here!

A Helping Hand

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

As workforce needs grow and evolve, the education needs are following. The South Dakota Department of Labor is trying to help entities meet those needs. This month, three Yankton entities were named recipients of five grants totaling $96,000 from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. RTEC was the recipient of two of the grants — $10,000 for pre-apprenticeship for advanced manufacturing and $30,000 for an apprenticeship for advanced manufacturing. Read the complete article here!

Gov. Daugaard Awards 10 Community Development Block Grants

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has awarded more than $5.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to 10 projects throughout South Dakota. Box Elder, Bridgewater, Frederick, Lead, Montrose, Pierpont, Springfield, Tulare and Yankton will use the approved monies to help fund projects totaling more than $17.1 million. “The CDBG program remains one of our finest community development programs,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Since taking office in 2011, we’ve allocated more than $38.5 million in CDBG funds to South Dakota communities and organizations to help fund projects that greatly improve the quality of life for their residents. From water, wastewater...

Mount Marty College opens new nursing center, simulation lab

Monday, November 19, 2018

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — Mount Marty College has opened a new nursing center and simulation lab to provide hands-on training in a range of health care situations from basic health assessments to advanced life support. The Yankton college's new Avera Nursing and Simulation Center held an open house this month to celebrate the facility's opening, the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan reported. "Our nursing program is something we're very proud of, but it's true that our facilities and technology haven't always kept up with the quality of education," said college President Marc Long. "That changes today." The simulation rooms are set up to resemble...

Nancy Wenande on Alive at Five

Friday, November 16, 2018

Our CEO visited with David Leonard, the host of KYNT 1450's Alive at 5 program, on November 15th! Listen to the conversation here! Learn more about Alive at 5 here!

Labor Department Provides Businesses $510,000 to Expand Apprenticeships

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) has provided $510,000 in incentive funding to help businesses expand the number of pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships in South Dakota. The announcement was made at the Start Today SD Summit held at Mitchell Technical Institute on Tuesday. Businesses could apply for up to a maximum of $30,000 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. “Through this...

Polling The People

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Port Yankton supporters will decide by January whether to resurrect the proposed entertainment complex and convention center. Plans include a casino, requiring a state constitutional amendment. Currently, South Dakota allows certain gaming at Deadwood and tribal casinos. The Pork Yankton effort ran into a roadblock during the 2018 Legislature when the measure died in committee and didn’t reach the floor. However, Port Yankton backers are considering a petition drive to place the constitutional amendment on the 2020 ballot. Read the complete article here!

Diving in, But Not Driving Apart

Friday, November 09, 2018

It’s no secret how the Yankton City Commission feels about the aquatic center issue that now faces Yankton voters. We stood together on Oct. 8 and voted unanimously to “dive in” to this pool project. Our intent with approving the property tax opt-out as a commission was not to take a short cut or to deprive citizens of a vote on the issue. Read the rest of the article here!

YAPG Celebrates Sale Of Final Lot In Westbrook's First Phase

Thursday, November 08, 2018

Lot four, block two of phase one of the Westbrook Estates real estate development has been sold to Johanneson Contracting of Yankton to be developed into a duplex. More significantly, this marks the sale of the last lot that made up the first phase on a project that Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG) officials never anticipated would take off as quickly as it did. Monday, YAPG and area officials celebrated the sale of the last lot of phase one with a gathering at The Brewery in Yankton. Read the complete article here!

'Us Vs. Them' In County Race?

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

“Us versus them?” The Yankton County Commission candidates tackled that question during Monday night’s debate at the Discovery Church. An audience member noted, in a written comment, that the November election — with three seats at stake — could shift the balance of power on the commission. In turn, the direction of the county could change dramatically on a number of controversial issues. Read the complete article here!

Supporting Mount Marty College is Necessary for the Yankton Community

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Yankton Area Progressive Growth is proud to be a $1 million donor in to Mount Marty College Fieldhouse project and other campus improvements. The mission of YAPG includes offering assistance to industries and businesses that contribute to Yankton’s prosperity through primary job development, private investment and wealth generation. Our recent capital campaign expands our reach even further to include people and place. Mount Marty College is a perfect example of an organization that is creating growth and development to enhance our people, jobs, and place. When the capital campaign references “people” it is from the standpoint of increased inventory in the...

Yankton Area Chamber Celebrates National Business Women’s Week

Monday, October 08, 2018

The Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation announces the annual National Business Women’s Week™ (NBWW) held Oct. 15-21. NBWW offers communities, companies and organizations an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of working women and companies that have made strides toward improving working women’s lives in their communities. Read the complete article here!

Napa Junction Community Investment

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Lately there has been some confusion regarding the investment that Dakota Plains has made in Yankton County. Let me help by providing some facts in a format that is easy to understand. A TID (Tax Increment District) was created by the Yankton County Commission as an economic development tool for the Napa Junction project. A TIF (Tax Increment Financing) is the plan that is created to finance the eligible public improvement and other costs associate with the TID. The “Increment” is the difference between the taxes being paid at the time the TID was established and the taxes due on the improved property...

YAPG Donates to the MMC Project

Wednesday, October 03, 2018

Mount Marty College’s (MMC) long-awaited athletic fieldhouse is one step closer to becoming a reality. On Tuesday, Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG) donated $1 million to MMC as a show of support for the college’s major initiatives. The athletic fieldhouse project is the primary focus of the gift. Read the complete article from the Yankton Press & Dakotan here! Or watch the announcement:

Local Growth: Fact Vs. Fiction

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

As we move closer to Election Day, whether it’s a statewide or a local race, please educate yourself on the candidates and the issues. It is our right and our privilege to have the opportunity to vote and it seems to me we should go to the polls armed with the facts and not fiction. For example, Bruce Jensen’s recent letter to the editor (which, due to the political nature of said letter, should have run as an ad) “Financial Favoritism” is all about speculation in regards to the motives of the current county commissioners and the decision to “… approve...

What's An Opportunity Zone?

Friday, September 28, 2018

The South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development team traveled to Yankton on September 21st. Here's their presentation about what opportunity zones are, what they can do for our state, and how to leverage them as a development tool. (Disclaimer: This information is made available for educational purposes, not to provide specific business advice.) Watch the full presentation below - please contact the YAPG office for copies of the PowerPoint.

Yankton Set To Celebrate Manufacturing Week

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Each year, Manufacturing Week helps students and adults build career networks and knowledge. South Dakota celebrates Manufacturing Week Oct. 1-5. To recognize manufacturers in Yankton, the Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Greater Yankton Living, the state of South Dakota and many local manufacturers, is planning a week of events. Read the complete article here!

Forum Eyes Growth Issues

Monday, September 10, 2018

Economic and growth issues dominated candidate forum held Saturday. Yankton’s GFWC Woman’s Club this weekend hosted an hour-long County Commission candidate forum at the Hillcrest Country Club. The candidates included: incumbents Todd Woods, Debra Bodenstedt and Raymon Epp; and challengers: Cheri Loest, Dan Klimisch and Joe Healy. Read the complete article here!

South Dakota Tops List of Friendly States

Sunday, September 09, 2018

We weren't surprised when we opened this article to find South Dakota on the top of the list ranking states "friendly" for small businesses! Find the whole list developed by Thumbtack here!

Get to Know YAPG CEO Nancy Wenande

Thursday, September 06, 2018

Nancy Wenande took the lead as YAPG’s CEO in March 2018. Wenande is a Yankton native who studied at Black Hills State and then moved away for work to Maryland and Nebraska. She made her way back to Yankton to take over her family’s convenience store business in 2000 and notes that Yankton is a nice community to raise a family. Wenande has been married for over 24 years and has three kids, ages 17, 19, and 21. Our new CEO is a leader with a passion for making her community better. Upon moving back to the area, she jumped right into...

Officials Clarify Bond Proposal

Wednesday, September 05, 2018

A proposed pelleting plant may be sailing in smoother waters after being the subject of online controversy. Officials with Dakota Protein LLC appeared before the Yankton County Commission to clarify a proposal to use tax-exempt private activity bonds to make the facility a reality. Toby Morris, who is a partner on the project, addressed the commission on what the project entailed. Read the complete article here!

SDSU President Discusses School, Farm Economy, CAFOs

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

A wide-ranging discussion was on the agenda at Yankton Area Progressive Growth’s (YAPG) quarterly meeting Tuesday. South Dakota State University (SDSU) president Barry Dunn took local officials through a presentation that included the school’s new initiatives, the outlook for farmers and value-added agriculture’s place in the state. Read the complete article here!

Fewer Hurdles Ahead

Monday, August 13, 2018

It’s almost time for the tents to rise, for vendors to move in and for all the other trappings of Riverboat Days to come to Riverside Park in downtown Yankton. And once again, officials are doing what they can to make sure ongoing infrastructure projects in the area won’t have a major impact on the festivities. At the water treatment plant, Yankton environmental services director Kyle Goodmanson told the Press & Dakotan that a parking lot just east of the site usually occupied by construction equipment will be opened up to vendors once again. Read the complete article here!

South Dakota Housing Authority Given Glimpse Of Westbrook Project

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Years of planning and building have given rise to an affordable housing project that could be a model for similar communities across the state. Wednesday, members of the South Dakota Housing Authority (SDHA) were given a brief tour of the second phase of Yankton’s Westbrook Estates apartment project — a major part of the ongoing Westbrook Estates housing development that has proven popular over the last few years. Read the complete article here!

Yankton News and Info

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