What We Do Without that Place?
– By #MillerSD
We hear it all the time, “What was going on at the Center last night? It looked like a huge event. What would we do without that place?” When we drive by there is always something going on there!” And lately, that couldn’t be truer.
Since the fall of 2014, Hand County has enjoyed its Community Center. The theme surrounding the Center has been donations and volunteer work. It all began when the Miller School sold the land and the old elementary building complex to On Hand Development Corporation for $1 for the purpose of developing a Community Center. With that gift, the On Hand Board of Directors immediately went to work securing manpower and design teams to turn an old school into a beautiful, functional complex that benefits not only Hand County citizens but surrounding businesses and families.
Today, our Center is BURSTING with events. Just today, we have two meetings in the meeting room, a funeral lunch, Hand County Sherriff awareness event and some intense pool games down the hall. We have also seen a large increase in events with the current situation at the Miller School District and we are so blessed that we have this place for our school to use whenever they need it.
So, what we have done without this place? How many large weddings would our community have missed? How many meetings would be held out of town and people would then spend money there? How many practices, games, and kids’ events would not have been possible? And what would the school have done without this place? And how much money would our community have lost?
The Miller Community Centers averages just over 300 events a year since 2016 and that number could be higher if 2020 was an “average” year. Now, all of these events are not paid events. None of these numbers include the events in the Friendship Center, the basketball games, practices, or ANY youth activities. Because the school gifted On Hand Development the property, we don’t charge for any youth activities.
What people might forget is the Center costs money to operate. We have a lot of daily costs including; utilities, insurance, payroll, repairs, cleaning, and equipment. We are pleased to take care of the Center because we know that it is keeping money in our community. Remember this place is not a cash cow. It’s more like a city Park or a community swimming pool. You need to have it but you won’t get rich from it. We also know that people need a place to celebrate life’s important events right here in Hand County.
On Hand Development knows that these events people celebrate and the ball games generate sales tax and that’s why we have it. When people come to an event at the Community Center, they are stopping at the gas stations, buying food at the grocery store, stopping on Main Street for gifts, and spending money in our community.
And that is why we need this place. We need this place not only for people to gather and make memories but to support our business community.
The Miller Community Center IS economic development and On Hand is happy to visit with you about everything we can offer. Call Megan at 853-3098 to book your next event.
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