Operation Round-Up Surpasses $250,000 in Local Giving with New Community Grants

Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up program has exceeded $250,000 in community impact with its latest round of grants, supporting local schools, emergency services and nonprofits across the region.

By Riley Harrington November 26, 2025 11:41 am

Central Electric Cooperative Operation Round-Up grants South Dakota community grants local giving South Dakota Central Electric Operation Round-Up rural electric cooperative programs community improvement grants school district grant awards fire department grants South Dakota nonprofit funding South Dakota $250,000 community giving milestone Central Electric service area Mitchell SD news local grants November 2025 Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees grant application deadline May 2026 — Metro Services

MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program has surpassed $250,000 in local charitable giving following its latest round of community grants awarded in November.

Operation Round-Up allows participating cooperative members to round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar, pooling the extra change to support community projects across Central Electric’s service area. Since the program launched in 2015, it has funded 183 local initiatives.

The volunteer Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees approved more than a dozen new grants this fall, supporting schools, emergency services, community groups and local nonprofits. Awards include:

Artesian Community Improvement Association — $1,100 for concession stand equipment
Bridgewater-Emery School District — $1,000 for STEM supplies
Brule County Historical Society — $1,100 for building improvements
Crow Creek Tribal Schools — $1,500 for star quilts
Fedora Fire Department — $1,500 for building improvements
Kimball School District — $1,000 for Missoula Children’s Theatre
Letcher Community Development Foundation — $1,000 for community signs
Rural Office of Community Services — $2,100 for senior meals
Sanborn Central School District — $1,100 for a greenhouse project
Sanborn County Ambulance — $1,100 for emergency equipment
Spartan Trap League — $700 for training equipment
Stickney Fire Department — $1,000 for portable radios
White Lake FFA — $1,000 for program expenses

“Since 2015, Operation Round-Up has supported 183 community-focused projects across our service area, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our membership,” said Tara Miller, Central Electric’s manager of communications and Operation Round-Up coordinator. “We are so grateful to participating members for rounding up their bill each month to make this possible.”

Trustees representing each county in Central Electric’s territory review applications twice a year. The next grant deadline is May 1, 2026. More information is available at Central Electric Cooperative (https://www.centralec.coop).

Crime

11 hours ago

Attorney General Jackley Commends South Dakota Supreme Court For Affirming Elder Abuse, Grand Theft Case

The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a Spink County man who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from his elderly mother, rejecting claims of insufficient evidence and trial errors.

Crime

11 hours ago

New U.S. Attorney Intensifies Efforts Against Drug Trafficking in South Dakota

South Dakota’s newly confirmed U.S. Attorney says federal prosecutors are accelerating efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations as part of nationwide directives.

Business

11 hours ago

Harrisburg Pushes for Lower Speed Limit on Highway 115 Amid Safety Concerns

Harrisburg officials are seeking a speed limit reduction on Highway 115 due to rising traffic and safety concerns, but state transportation leaders say a lower limit may not improve conditions.

Crime

12 hours ago

U.S. Attorney’s Office Kept Prosecuting Cases During Federal Shutdown

U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons says his office continued prosecuting violent crime, drug cases and child exploitation during the 43-day federal government shutdown, securing nearly 300 years in prison sentences.

People

13 hours ago

Cold Snap Expected to Continue as More Snow Moves Into Northeast South Dakota

South Dakota is heading into a stretch of below-average temperatures and another chance of snowfall over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to the National Weather Service.