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Mitchell Sports and Events Authority approves event grants totaling six awards
Summary
The Mitchell Sports and Events Authority approved grants for local events including auctions, tournaments and fundraisers, awarding reduced amounts from requests. The board also received a financial update showing $121,750 available funds and year-to-date room-night totals.
The Mitchell Sports and Events Authority on Feb. 14 approved funding for six local events, awarding smaller amounts than some applicants requested while citing tourism and community benefits.
The board voted to award Buck and Wild Ranch $1,000 toward its Cabin Fever auction; Combat Vets Motorcycle Association $1,500 for its fourth annual comedy night; Dakota Wesleyan's spring golf invite $4,000 (from a $5,000 request); Lucky Devil's adult hockey tournament $4,000; Powderhorn Ranch Regulators $3,000 (from a $4,500 request); and the Rob Marshawn Sports Shop basketball tournament $750.
The grants are intended to help cover event costs that bring visitors and room nights to Mitchell. "Last year, we had over 500 bidder numbers registered for the auction," said Nick, owner of Buck and Wild Ranch, on behalf of the Cabin Fever event. Justin Hammer, executive officer of Combat Vets Motorcycle Association chapter 30-2, said the comedy night is the group's largest fundraiser: "Last year we profited about $5,900 total. We had 138 tickets sold." Jeff Meyering, head coach for Dakota Wesleyan golf, said the golf invite has grown rapidly and that "we have 110 kids signed up to play in it." Stacy Murtha, president of Lucky Devil's Adult Hockey, described the tournament as a long-running draw that can bring "over 300 hockey players here" and their families. Powderhorn Ranch organizer Troy Bullock said of his request, "we don't keep a penny of that. That all goes back into the shooters." The organizer for the Rob Marshawn Sports Shop basketball tournament identified himself as Kevin DeReeze and said, "I'm asking for $750."
Board members discussed the awards during an open meeting and made voice motions for each grant. Several awards passed with abstentions recorded where noted. The authority's staff presented a financial snapshot at the same meeting, saying the board's 2025 revenue budget is $150,000; year-to-date expenses were reported as $28,250 (which included a $12,000 Special Olympics payment), leaving an available fund balance of $121,750.
Votes at a glance
- Buck and Wild Ranch Cabin Fever Auction (requested $2,000): awarded $1,000; motion by Dave, second by Kevin; outcome: approved. (Presentation by Nick, owner, Buck and Wild Ranch.)
- Rob Marshawn Sports Shop Basketball Tournament (requested $750): awarded $750; motion by Tim, second by Dave; outcome: approved; abstentions: Jason (abstain), Jaco (abstain). (Presentation by Kevin DeReeze.)
- Fourth Annual Combat Vets Motorcycle Association Comedy Night (requested $1,500): awarded $1,500; motion by Dave; outcome: approved. (Presentation by Justin Hammer, executive officer, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, chapter 30-2.)
- DW Spring Golf Invite (requested $5,000): awarded $4,000; motion by Kevin, second by Tim; outcome: approved; abstention: Jason (abstain). (Presentation by Jeff Meyering, head coach, Dakota Wesleyan golf.)
- Lucky Devil's Adult Hockey Tournament (requested $4,000): awarded $4,000; motion by Dave, second by Jim Johnston; outcome: approved. (Presentation by Stacy Murtha, president, Lucky Devil's Adult Hockey.)
- Powderhorn Ranch Regulators Outlaw Gauntlet (requested $4,500): awarded $3,000; motion by Tim, second by Board member (unnamed); outcome: approved. (Presentation by Troy Bullock, Powderhorn Ranch Regulators.)
The board's funding awards are intended to offset event costs such as facility rental, officials, travel and lodging, and to help generate visitor spending in hotels and restaurants. Staff reported year-to-date room nights of 7,352 and noted a past-due collection that could raise the figure by roughly 1,918 room nights if collected, which staff said would bring the total to just over 9,200 room nights.
The authority adjourned after scheduling its next meeting for March 11.
Ending note: Board members and event organizers emphasized that awarded funds are intended to support local economic impact through overnight stays and spending at Mitchell businesses.
