Dedicated to improving the economic health of Miller, SD, and the surrounding area.
A proud, progressive, agricultural community located in central South Dakota.
Promoting Miller and continuing to improve our vibrant business community.
A great place have events, meetings and more.
Whether you are a visitor looking for information about Miller, South Dakota and the surrounding area, or you are a resident searching for the latest information about our community, you've come to the right place. This site has information on our local economic development office, the Miller Civic and Commerce Association, and the City of Miller. We also have a community calendar that highlights all of the upcoming events. Be sure to visit our Facebook page or check our blog to interact with others on all topics related to Miller, SD. Thanks for visiting our website - we hope you drop by again soon!
Why Hand County in the Summer?
With homecoming here, it got me thinking about the word HOME…. The word home can be used in so many ways: homerun, homework, hometown, home base, homecoming, homestead, homebound. The interesting thing about these words is that they mean “coming back” to something whether it’s a baseball diamond or a visit to the folks, or back where someone grew up. There’s something about HOME that we all love.
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As many business owners know, it is becoming more difficult to find qualified workers for the many jobs in our area. What you may not know, is that studies have shown that the vast majority of young people would like to spend their lives and build their careers in or near the area where they grew up. In fact, 76% of high school students who attended Career Here! Event in 2019 stated they would like to work in our area if the opportunity exists.
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I was visiting with someone the other day about grocery shopping and they mentioned how they “ran” to Walmart in Huron to get a few things but they went at a strange time during the day so that they wouldn’t run into anyone they knew. I was embarrassed for them. I listened and when they were finished telling me about what they bought (all things they could get in town) I replied with, “Don’t you want to feel GOOD about where you are spending your money? Don’t you want to be proud and have a positive shopping experience versus being embarrassed about where you spent you your money?”
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Last week the Miller the Friendship Center hosted the famous Mollie B at our Miller Community Center. There was over 325 people from all over who enjoyed the show. I attended the event and was so surprised in how much fun it was. I always enjoy getting together and experiencing different things with different people. I truly believe that if we want things to do in our community, we need to attend the events we have!
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Last week I had two entrepreneurs stop in my office and ask me about grant money for starting a new business. I thought this might be the perfect time to explain to readers some of the grant misconceptions that are floating around.
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Last week, I had the pleasure of being a speaker at the Energize Conference in Milbank about On Hand Development. Public speaking isn’t my favorite part of my job but I jump at the opportunity to talk about my favorite place.
I started my forty-minute presentation on what On Hand is and our structure. Then, I added what we do- Business Assistance, Revolving Loan Fund, Beautification/Community Improvement, Youth Team, Quality of Life Projects, Miller Community Center, Housing, and Promotion of our area. I then added some older pictures of Main Street and how it has changed over the years and why Miller is the Biggest Little City in South Dakota.
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Deciding to start your own business is a leap of faith. It requires pushing out of your comfort zone and trying something new. If that idea excites you, why wait around? You’re ready to take the leap and be the CEO of your BUSINESS. It’s a lot of work and there are some risks, but the potential for rewards is huge. If you’re not convinced yet, here are 10 of the best reasons for starting your own business.
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Recently, I watched a short YouTube video by Doug Griffin and his speech inspired me to share with readers. He calls it, “13 Ways to Kill Your Community.” I found his list so helpful with our work here at On Hand. I also thought a lot about our community and how some community members need a reminder that they can be part of the success of our community.
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In July, a group of volunteers finished painting the Teason Home in Miller. I am so very proud to live in this community and be just a small part of that process. The whole story really got me thinking about volunteering and what it really does for everyone and our community.
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BJ Hughes is the newest face to the On Hand Development Corporation Board Of Directors. BJ was selected by the On Hand Board at the most recent board meeting on Wednesday, July 14. BJ is taking the seat of Brian Jones who sat on the board for the past five years.
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As we are approaching our annual CRAZY days here in Miller, Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local is something we all need to remember and it shouldn’t be just for CRAZY days. 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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I was visiting with a relative from out of state last weekend and she asked me, “Why do you love living here so much? I haven’t heard of anyone talk about a community the way you do.” Here is my twitter version of my list.
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I was organizing photos that were donated by Joan Bertsch the other day, when I came across one from Main Street Miller in the 1950’s with this written on it, “The Biggest Little City in South Dakota.”
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I had the opportunity to sit down with a county commissioner and visit about On Hand Development and what we spend our money on. He said he has had questions on why Hand County funds On Hand. My answer to this, “Because we benefit ALL of Hand County! I went on to explain that we need a central place that current and prospective businesses can go to help with their needs. We need a place where folks can gather and have large events that bring in hundreds of people to our community to spend money. We need a nonprofit that works with both the City and the County that can do things that those two entities can’t do. We need a place that entrepreneurs can go to get help with business ideas and plans. We need our Revolving Loan Fund to help businesses expand or get through tough times. We need On Hand Development for Hand County to thrive.”
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I sat down with a County Commissioner a couple weeks ago and he asked me to write about what resources we have for Hand County Businesses. Below is the “twitter” version of our services for Hand County Businesses.
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Deciding to start your own business is a leap of faith. It requires pushing out of your comfort zone and trying something new. If that idea excites you, why wait around? You’re ready to take the leap and be the CEO of your BUSINESS. It’s a lot of work and there are some risks, but the potential for rewards is huge. If you’re not convinced yet, here are 10 of the best reasons for starting your own business.
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Most readers already know how much passion for Hand County, On Hand Development has. I believe that all of the leaders in Hand County share that passion for our community and they back that passion up with the necessary funding.
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SUMMER. IS. HERE. I recently asked followers on Facebook if they would send photos of why they love in Hand County in the Summer. The results were amazing. I got 97 pictures for future promotional efforts. I also got to hear and see what people really love about our area in the summer. Here is what I learned.
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Recently, the City of Miller had a letter submitted from a concerned citizen about the upcoming sidewalk project on 5th street. It’s been a while since we have talked about this project so this is a great opportunity to talk about the history behind the sidewalk.
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It’s hard to believe that I have been at On Hand for two years already. May 6, 2021 marks my official 2nd year anniversary date here at On Hand Development. (It’s also my husband’s birthday so it’s a big day at the Beranek home.) This last year has been a wild ride, but I am truly blessed to be sitting in this chair and doing the good work I get to do every day.
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Let’s define a clique first. A clique is defined by a small group of people, with shared interests or other features in common, who spend time together and do not readily allow others to join them.
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Let’s define a clique first. A clique is defined by a small group of people, with shared interests or other features in common, who spend time together and do not readily allow others to join them.
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As folks are feeling more comfortable getting out and traveling, it is good to have a gentle reminder of why shopping local is so important to our community. Small businesses need your loyalty now more than ever. Small businesses have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their doors open and products on their shelves. I realize that everyone wants to get out and see different places but just remember to keep that shop local mentality when you go
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Since my last article on “Pitching Miller,” a lot of people have asked me what is going on with the hotel project. I have met with my board and some experts and I am happy to share some details with you.
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Last week, I was visiting with other Economic Development professionals around the state about our programs here at On Hand Development and they were so surprised in the success of our most significant program, our Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). I decided it might be best to gather some information on our most significant program, and let my community know what kind of impact it has on Hand County and how other communities envy having that option for businesses.
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