Posts for 2021

RURAL IS TRENDING | Rural towns attractive to workers, businesses

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Several smaller South Dakota towns are proving that economic development isn’t simply a tally of the number of jobs created.

For those hoping to bring new businesses to town or help existing businesses expand, it takes a toolbox that includes available workers, desirable housing, investment dollars, quality of life amenities and leadership. It’s thinking beyond the job count and smokestacks and offering what people are looking for when it comes to lifestyle, say economic development directors from numerous towns with fewer than 5,000 people.

“Traditional economic development doesn’t really exist anymore. It’s a lot about community development and economic development,” said Paula Jensen, vice president of program development with Dakota Resources. “It’s about developing the brand of a thriving rural.”

Dakota Resources is a nonprofit that helps member communities find capital to use for economic development goals. The 30-plus communities in South Dakota who belong also are able to access training, participate in a learning network so they are less isolated and grow their community’s capacity for development.

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On Hand Would Like to Welcome our Newest Board Member, BJ Hughes

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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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Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local!

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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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Why I Love Where I Live.

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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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The Biggest Little City in South Dakota

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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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Where Does the Money Go?

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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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Services from On Hand Development Corporation for Any Hand County Business

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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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Why You Should Consider Owning Your Own Business.

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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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Great Leaders Put Funding Behind Passion

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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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Welcome, Summer!

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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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Sidewalk Project Update

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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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Year Two

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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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Cliquey Community

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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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Cliquey Community

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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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Our Community Needs Your Loyalty

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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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Where are Our Champions?

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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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Impact of our Revolving Loan Fund

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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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On Hand Would Like to Welcome our Newest Board Member, Travis Stevens

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Travis Stevens is the newest face to the On Hand Development Corporation Board of Directors. Travis was selected by the On Hand Board at the most recent board meeting on Wednesday, March 10. Travis is taking the seat of Mike Wetz who recently stepped down from his role because of a conflict in his schedule.  

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“Pitching” Miller

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Last week, I had the opportunity to “Pitch” Miller to two different groups of potential hotel investors. I had three minutes to tell them why to invest in Miller. This process is brand new to me but surprisingly came really easy. I thought of the “pitch” much like I would anyone who was looking at moving to Miller

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We GET to Live Here.

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I started working out with a trainer a couple months ago and one of her reminders almost every day is, “Change your mindset. Change it from, you have to work out at 5:30 am to you get to work out.”  There are people in the world who don’t get the opportunity to work out because of some type of issue and they would give anything to work out.

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We GET to Live Here.

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I started working out with a trainer a couple months ago and one of her reminders almost every day is, “Change your mindset. Change it from, you have to work out at 5:30 am to you get to work out.”  There are people in the world who don’t get the opportunity to work out because of some type of issue and they would give anything to work out.

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Bringing Natural Gas to Miller

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Last week, Northwestern Energy brought a presentation to Miller to discuss a non-profit entity being formed to bring natural gas to 89 communities in South Dakota. 15 people attended the meeting including city council members, school board member, On Hand Development board members, business owners, and citizens.

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Celebrate Life’s Important Events

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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. 

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Questions and Answers about Law Enforcement

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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.

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Give to Feel Better

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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.

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