Introducing Maroney Commons

We’ve been busy with the big kick finish of our construction project, and now we’re excited to invite you to the Grand Opening Celebration of the all new Maroney Commons on Main Street in Howard, SD. Maroney Commons is home to Windward Inn and Conference/Training Center, Forecast Restaurant, Maroney’s Bar, and Miner County Wellness. The celebration of the power of partnerships begins at 1pm on Thursday, August 18 on Main Street in Howard. We hope you will join us!

1. “Architects of Change” performed by Monte Selby
2. Welcome and Proclamation
   Howard Mayor Andrew Dold
3. Recognizing the Power of Partnerships
   Joe Bartmann, President, Rural Learning Center
4. Introduction of Board of Directors
   Mary Stangohr, Chair, Miner County Development Corp
5. Remarks by Dr. Jim Beddow
   Rural Learning Center
6. Remarks by US Senator Tim Johnson
7. Remarks by Undersecretary Dallas Tonsager,
   USDA Rural Development
8. Remarks by Ben Ready,
   Office of US Senator John Thune
9. Remarks by Lance Hildebrandt,
10. Office of US Congresswoman Kristi Noem
11. Remarks by Mike McDowell, CEO
    Heartland Consumers Power District
12. “You Were the Wind” recitation by Sigurd Andenas and Morgan Andenas
13. Special Recognition of Maroney Family
14. Special Announcement by Mike Messier
    Airstreams Renewables, Inc.
15. Announcement of Parry Initiative for Rural Leaders
    Mads Andenas, Chair, Rural Learning Center
16. Closing Remarks by Faye Oines, Director of Hospitality,
    Maroney Commons
17. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
18. Maroney Commons Tours

       

We’re Wind Powered!

Today, the wind turbine was installed atop the large tower at the Maroney Rural Learning Center.  The 3.4 kW Falcon vertical access turbine will offset energy that we would otherwise pull from the grid to power the building.  In total, the renewable energy systems on the building (including the photovoltaic array and wind turbine) will offset about 10% of our energy use in the facility.  Combined with energy efficient design, our building is projected to use 46% less energy than a standard build.

Photos from the occasion are below!  Enjoy!

Dallas Tonsager Tours the MRLC in Howard, SD

Rural Learning Center staff were very excited to host Dallas Tonsager and his family on a tour recently of the Maroney Rural Learning Center.  Dallas currently serves as the Under Secretary for Rural Development.  Tonsager hails from Oldham, a neighboring community to Howard, and his wife Sharon is from Howard.

USDA Rural Development has been a critical partner in development of the Maroney Rural Learning Center.  Thanks so much to Dallas, Sharon and Josh for stopping in Howard for a tour!

the 60 day countdown…

The past few weeks have zipped by, and construction progress seems to be moving even faster.  Each day, something new is finished and the building is getting closer to completion. And yes, that’s right, by the beginning of August the building will be complete and ready for it’s first trial runs.

The grain bin tops furnished by local farm families were retrieved and installed this month, the painting throughout the upper floor is complete, and the tile in the hotel rooms is in progress.  Also, the elevator is being installed, so it won’t be long before we’ll be able to offer a lift to the second floor!

If you haven’t stopped in for a tour just yet, we invite you to do so!  It’s a great time to see the building coming together.

Special Visitors

Last week, the Maroney Rural Learning Center construction site was the host of several tours; the most memorable of which was a group of senior ladies from Howard.  They looked great in their hardhats, so I thought I should share!  Enjoy!

Rocking the Walls

Sheet rocking, that is. And it is going up everywhere!

The hotel rooms are moving right along; windows are in, individual geothermal units are in, and sheet rock is hung. The hotel corridor on the second floor needs its grain bin lids yet, but otherwise the crews have made excellent progress sheet rocking the circular designed spaces.

On the first floor, windows and doors are being installed, sheet rock is being hung, and fixture rough-ins are under way.

The exterior has undergone a major transformation with the addition of a brick storefront that faces Main Street. Additional exterior siding work will continue in the next weeks.

Photos of the changes are below! Enjoy!

USDA Representatives Tour MRLC

We were very proud to host Elsie Meeks, USDA Rural Development State Director, and Trace Davids, Rural Development Area Director last Tuesday, March 8th. USDA Rural Development has been fundamental to the development of the Maroney Rural Learning Center. Last year, they approved of a $3.2 million loan through the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. Thanks so much to Elsie and Trace for their hard work on behalf of our state’s rural places.

Warming things up

Although we haven’t managed to shake winter just yet, construction on the building is moving right along. During the brief break from winter in February, roofing crews were able to complete installation of the roof on the entire facility. This weatherproofing has allowed crews to begin work polishing the concrete floors, adding insulation, and the start of drywall installation.

The mechanical room is filling up also, as you can see. This building is a great combination of today’s most innovative and efficient systems!

RLC Board and Staff Get a Sneak Peak

On Friday, February 18th, the Rural Learning Center board of directors and staff toured the Maroney Rural Learning Center construction site. We were able to tour both floors of the facility, as stairs were secured and accessible.

Photo highlights from the tour follow:

A sneak peak at the inside

January has seen lots of progress at the Maroney Rural Learning Center. Workers finished sheeting the second level exterior, support beams have gone up for the roof, and the interior is starting to look more like the end product. The final concrete floor has been poured throughout the Main level, and workers are beginning to set walls, rough in electrical lines and begin installing the HVAC system.

Here it is in photos!