Vermillion, SD

Progress continues at the new Clay County Jail and Law Enforcement Center (CCJLEC), and with every passing week, it’s starting to feel more like the finished product the community has been looking forward to utilize.

This 62,500SF facility will soon house a 54-bed jail, serving not only Clay County but also neighboring counties. It’s also the future home of the Vermillion Police Department and 911 dispatch bringing several critical public safety services together under one roof.

From the beginning, the project has been shaped by forward-thinking. County leaders were clear they didn’t just want a building that worked for today, they wanted one that could grow with the community. That’s why the building has been designed with expansion in mind. Plans are already in place to allow for a second-story courthouse addition, with storage rooms set up to one day become stairwells or elevator shafts. The kitchen and core systems were also built with growth in mind, so they can support more capacity if the need arises down the road.

Right now, the team is working hard to bring the final details together. Inside the building, crews are focused on finishing up paint; laying tile and carpet; installing fixtures for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems; setting the last of the security devices; glass; and hardware. Outside, concrete paving is underway, along with backfilling to final grade and landscaping to give the site its finishing touches.

It’s a big project, and like most meaningful projects, it’s been the result of a lot of planning, coordination, and teamwork. Through it all, county operations have continued nearby, a reminder of just how important this space is to the people who will use it every day.

As the work nears completion, the building stands as a reflection of smart planning and strong community investment. It’s a space built to serve the people of Clay County today, and well into the future.