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!
Miller C&C Members
From the desk of Kecia Beranek
Celebrate Life’s Important Events
The Miller Community Center is staying busy. Since the fall of 2014, Miller has enjoyed its Community Center. The theme surrounding the Center has been donations and volunteer work. It all began when the Miller School gave 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 Miller citizens but surrounding businesses and families.
The City of Miller police force committee and the Hand County Law Enforcement committee are coming together to answer questions about the idea of combined law enforcement. This opportunity is for Hand County citizens to bring their questions to the leadership groups and get some answers. This is not the time or the place to talk about anything other than law enforcement.
For the last two weeks, I have been participating in the South Dakota Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. This credentialed professional development opportunity is a 15-month training program that involves: 1) Four fundraising courses taught by faculty from The Fundraising School at Indiana University 2) Attainment of CFRE credentials 3) Activities with a statewide cohort of South Dakota fundraising professionals.
On Hand Development is always looking for leaders to step up and fill in roles. Are you a potential leader in Hand County that is ready to step up in a leadership role?
First, it takes making your community a priority. I hear this a lot when I am talking to someone about taking on a leadership role, “I would but I am way too busy right now.” We are all busy but it’s not about being busy, its about what you take time to prioritize. Just be honest and tell me that it’s not a priority for you right now.
South Dakota Nonprofit Capacity Building Program Excels Rural Fundraising Capacity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Renner, SD Kecia Beranek, Executive Director of On Hand Development applied and has been selected to participate in cohort two of the South Dakota Nonprofit Capacity Building Program.
This credentialed professional development opportunity is a 15-month training program that involves: 1) Four fundraising courses taught by faculty from The Fundraising School at Indiana University 2) Attainment of CFRE credentials 3) Activities with a statewide cohort of South Dakota fundraising professionals.
A couple weeks ago I got a call from a Miller resident wanting to talk about my articles for the Miller Press. She explained to me that what I am writing about is not always the truth here in Hand County.
At our annual strategic planning session, the On Hand Development Board of Directors, agreed that the number priority for 2021 is to assist our existing businesses in Hand County. We have always put existing businesses as a top priority, but this year, we are dedicating a larger portion of our time and resources into your business.
How fortunate is Hand County to have so many volunteers in our community? Think about it… firefighters, EMT’s, church volunteers, board members, and the list goes on and on.
Each one of us has a duty to our community, to help create and sustain a vibrant place to live, work, and play. We can create thriving communities through even the smallest of everyday decisions — especially when it comes to the businesses we support. With a simple commitment to always think local first, we can create a wide ripple of impact.
When our local businesses are alive and doing well, our community will THRIVE. I understand not everything can be bought locally, but it may surprise you how much actually can be, and how willing our local businesses are to get you what you need. If you make the decision to think local first, you might be surprised in what you find.
I wrote about this awhile back but it happened again so I thought a reminder might be in order. A lady came into my office last week and said, “You know, Miller really needs XYZ.” My response, “Yes, YOU should make that happen! What tools do you need from me to help?” She looked at me really funny like it’s my responsibility to do everything in town that people bring to me.
On Hand Development recently held our annual strategic planning session where we identified success stories and struggles in our community. We talked about how our number one priority right now is helping current businesses thrive and stay open during this difficult time. One of the other topics we discussed is making new folks to Miller feel connected. We have lost some families and individuals because they didn’t feel connected here. Not welcomed. Not involved. Connected.
The Miller Civic and Commerce annual event Christmas on the Prairie is going to have a much different look thanks to COVID-19. The event kicks off Thursday, December 3rd and they have added some new and fun ways to get out and support Miller, while staying safe.
On September 23, 2020, Economic Development Directors from Kimball, DeSmet, Wessington Springs, and Clear Lake visited Miller for a first impression tour. The tour consisted of entering Miller from every direction, walking Main Street, touring residential areas, parks, hospitals, schools, and public buildings.
Now, we have an entire report (8 pages) on how to improve our community and what we should really be proud of.
There clearly is a lot of COVID19 going around. It is impacting everyone. We have known that a surge like this was likely for the past eight months. NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED!
A Miller resident dropped by the office last week and asked, “What has On Hand Development done lately to help business here in Hand County?” It was a good question and I am so glad that she came to me first to ask. After she left, I decided to gather some statistics and share them with the community.
On Hand Development Announces New Hand County Recruitment Program
After visiting with almost every business in Hand County, the number one problem On Hand Development recognized is finding full time help. On Hand Development went to work right away and created the Hand County Recruitment Program.
On Hand Development has set aside $15,000 and implemented the program to assist ANY Hand County business to recruit employees to fill full time job openings.
Last week, On Hand Development hosted a first impression tour around Miller. The Economic Development professionals that toured our community were from Wessington Springs, Kimball, De Smet, and Clear Lake. I haven’t gotten back their evaluations yet, but I will share that information as soon as I get it.
Economic Development is proud of the improvements being made around our community. We are especially proud to be a small part of making Hand County look better with our sign and awning program.
On Hand Development hosted a free workshop for anyone in Hand County who wants to Bring Their A Game to work! This was the 2nd workshop we hosted in the last year and after folks leave, they always feel more energized and excited to head to work.
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.
Two Seasons In South Dakota…Construction Season and Winter
A wise woman once told me that there are two seasons in South Dakota…Construction Season and Winter. Construction season is almost to an end here in Miller. This construction season has brought our community some amazing changes. The corner of North Broadway and Third Street houses both Ace Hardware and Kessler’s Grocery Store and both businesses are getting a facelift this construction season.
On Hand Development is excited to announce our second, “Bring Your A Game” workshop to Miller on Thursday, September from 11:00 am -1 :00 pm. What is that? Bring Your A Game is a workshop filled with topics including Attitude, Attendance, Appearance, Ambition, Acceptance, Appreciation, and Accountability. They also include "life examples" as well as "work experiences".
Last Thursday night, the City of Miller, the Miller School District, On Hand Development, Miller Civic and Commerce, and Hand County celebrated 2019 with the annual Magnificat Miller! This event is typically held in April but because of the current situation, was pushed to August. This year was a little smaller crowd for obvious reasons, but our victories that we celebrated weren't small!
I was out rummaging last week and a lady approached me about the rummage sales and how they were organized. She began to ask me why Economic Development doesn’t handle rummage weekend or the Miller Civic Commerce. I explained to her that Economic Development is working with businesses, promotion of our area, housing, and quality of life projects. The Miller Civic and Commerce handles events around town and she asked me like what?
