– By #MillerSD
I know a lot of people who are very happy to say goodbye to 2019! It was a tough year, but 2019 brought a lot of good things to On Hand Development.
In May 2019, I was hired and had the opportunity to train with Tammy Caffee. Mike Huether also made a call to our office and featured Rexall on his popular show. I also had the opportunity to attend a housing gathering in Wall, SD to learn more about housing troubles in rural communities.
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– By #MillerSD
On Hand Development and the Miller School are looking for businesses who are interested in participating in a very exciting state wide event. The South Dakota Week of Work is April 20-24 and Miller is looking to host locations for 26 10th graders.
The South Dakota Week of Work will introduce 10th graders to career opportunities in their own communities through job shadows, industry tours, and other business-classroom connections. It’s a week of exploration, with the aim of guiding students, engaging local businesses, and introducing employers to their future workforce. Think of it as a long-term investment in South Dakota’s future.
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– By #MillerSD
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to the Miller Elementary students about shopping local. I decided not to do a PowerPoint presentation or a long drawn out speech. I am better when I can throw a few jokes in and make it fun so I had a role-playing activity that not only involved a few of my friends who are affected by shopping local, but also the students.
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– By #MillerSD
Here at On Hand Development, we celebrate the small and big wins. I define the small wins as the progress points on the way to our goals.
Progress points on economic development projects with long-term and far-off goals can be difficult, if not impossible, to track -particularly for the many community members who are not actively involved in the actual development operations.
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– By #MillerSD
Last week I had the opportunity to speak to the St. Lawrence city council. I introduced myself at their monthly meeting and told them a little history and background about On Hand Development Corporation. Why is this important for me to do? On Hand Development is bigger than Miller. We work with all of Hand County and lots of organizations outside of the area.
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– By #MillerSD
Economic development constantly looks towards the future. On Hand Development has been involved with a youth leadership group the past couple of years to get students involved in their community and hopefully have a sense of ownership and enough to bring them back as adults. Miller Youth Leaders are made up of students in grades 7-12 who want to be part of a community project. What happened along the way was that as they planned and launched these events, they became leaders in their own right!
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– By #MillerSD
Hunting season in Hand County is so much more than how many birds you get. It’s about relationships, traditions, and the experience.
When pheasant hunters come to our area, they don’t just spend money on ammunition. Local businesses from hunting lodges to bars and restaurants to convenience stores to shops to car repairs, and everything in between, all benefit when pheasant hunters arrive in our community. Many family farms not only enjoy renewed friendships over the years but also extra income.
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– By #MillerSD
Here we are again… at the beginning of another hunting season in Hand County. Residents of Miller and the surrounding area are smiling when hunting season is around the corner. Hunting brings visitors to our area some who are relatives, some who are old family friends and some who are here for the first time. Hunting is Hand County’s finest tourist attraction! And like a good pheasant hunt in Hand County, On Hand Economic Development is also preparing and planning for our next big hunt. The hunt for new businesses. The hunt for new families. The hunt for a strong, economically stable area that is ideal for raising young families and yet quiet, safe and inviting to retirees.
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– By #MillerSD
I am happy to announce that On Hand Development Corporation (OHDC) help make a dream of owning a home come true this past week. Part of the mission of OHDC is to make sure that Hand County has safe, affordable housing. Housing is a big part of economic development. Our communities not only need jobs for young families but also need adequate and affordable housing to attract them to our area. OHDC has put our mission to work and made a dream come home for the Otteson family. This family of four, has bought their first home.
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– By #MillerSD
Cooper Bebo is the newest face to the On Hand Development Corporation Board Of Directors. Cooper was selected by the On Hand Board at the most recent board meeting on Thursday, September 12. Cooper is taking the seat of Connie Schroeder who served on the board for nine years.
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– By #MillerSD
Last week, I attended a community engagement workshop in Webster, SD hosted by Dakota Resources. At this two-day learning workshop, myself and my economic development peers, learned about how to get the community involved in projects and how to ask the powerful questions that need to be asked. We heard three case studies from Webster, Rosyln, and Bristol and what’s working in those communities. We walked thru the process of the World Café and how to start up group conversations that make a difference. We took a tour of Webster and Rosyln and talked to their leaders.
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– By #MillerSD
That question we hear a lot around here. It’s not an easy, quick answer. So, if you have a minute, I will answer this complicated question to the best of my ability.
So first, what is Economic Development? Economic development isn’t an easy field to justify. Economic development is defined by Wikipedia as the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region or local community are improved. This definition doesn’t explain the nuts and bolts of economic development and how it can effect change in a positive way on a big scale. Because the scope is so broad, it can be extremely difficult to separate what the tangible goals of economic development are. And unfortunately, our office can’t produce doodads that can be measured, and some wonder if money spent on economic development is really worth it. We believe it IS really worth it. We have projects, businesses, employees, and increased sales tax to prove it.
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– By #MillerSD
Safe or not safe? That question was the focus of the event that was held Monday, August 19th during the school meet-n-greet from the Miller Community Center to the Miller School. Is it safe or not safe to NOT have a sidewalk from the Miller Community Center to the Miller School? NOT SAFE. Monday nights event demonstrated that families use that route and Miller wants our youth to be safe.
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– By #MillerSD
I recently heard this phrase, “positive leaders and community members in our community are passive.” That really stuck with me… because it’s true. People want to have conversations about the negative stuff. They don’t want to hear about the positive boring stuff. Why is it that more people show up to meeting or conversation when they have a problem? Why do we hear more about the problems in our community versus the wins that we have right here in Miller? Let’s build a POSTIVE community together through POSTIVE communication.
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– By #MillerSD
The city of Miller and On Hand Economic Development is urging the South Dakota Legislature to oppose Senate Bill 66, which, if passed, would prohibit cities with municipal electric utilities, like Miller, from annexing additional electric service territory.
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– By #MillerSD
As we are approaching our annual CRAZY days here in Miller, Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local is something we all need to remember. As I am visiting with people around town, they don’t like to see local businesses close their doors or to see vacant buildings scattered throughout the community; however, it is rare that those community members consider that their own buying patterns may have attributed to those very losses.
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– By #MillerSD
Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend RuralX a two-day rural economic development and community development event in in Mitchell hosted by Dakota Resources. Now in its fourth year, RuralX was the chance for me to connect and engage with a network of rural changemakers- “thinkers and doers” from across the state. I got inspired to help Miller through motivational keynote speakers, powerful new ideas, bold breakout sessions and topics that are relevant to rural community and economic development. RuralX takes pride in bringing in local, regional, and national speakers with diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for rural success. This was not a conference like I have ever been to. It was an experience!
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– By #MillerSD
On Hand Development Corporation is offering a Governor’s House for sale. This home is located on 125 W 6th St. (Just North of the Community Center). This home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1,200 sq. ft. home. It features 2’ x 6’ exterior wall construction with R21 Batt insulation + R7.5 1-1/2” foam = R28.5 insulation. R-60 blown in fiberglass insulation is in the attic. There are oak kitchen and bath cabinets.
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– By #MillerSD
June 6, marked one month for me here at On Hand Development. Here are my top 5 things I learned in my first month:Last Modified:
– By #MillerSD
Hi! I’m Kecia Beranek. As of May 6, I am the new Executive Director of On Hand Development. I am so excited to be here and get to work but first I want to take a paragraph to tell you a little bit about myself.
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