MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Mitchell City Council voted 7–1 to reject a proposed $50,000-per-year contract with Retail Strategies to recruit new retail businesses, leaving the money unallocated for now in the city’s 2026 budget.

Supporters of delaying the contract said they want more time to evaluate options and potential partnerships with local organizations, including the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mitchell Area Development Corporation.

Several council members said the city can revisit the idea later and consider whether a local or regional partnership model could deliver similar results without committing to an outside recruiting firm at this time.

The vote means the $50,000 set aside for retail recruitment in the 2026 budget will remain unused unless the council later decides to redirect or approve spending for a different approach.