NEWS/AWARDS

The Brookings Register – Monday, July 29, 2024 – Celebrating 75 years

BROOKINGS — A member of the Greatest Generation, the late Harvey Mills served in World War II as an Army combat infantryman in Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His military decorations include Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and three battle stars. Like many of his G.I. comrades, following the war he returned home, got additional education via the G.I. Bill, got on with his life’s work, got married and raised a family.

For Mills, education came via a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from South Dakota State College in 1950. While still a student at SDSC, he found his life’s work: H.E. Mills Construction, so named in 1949. Before he graduated, his namesake company had built five houses; by 1967 that number was more than 200.

Other Mills Construction work over the years has included several firsts: Hillcrest Grade School, 1954; First National Bank, 1958; Sokota Hybrid Products office, 1965; Daktronics offices in 1973; congregate housing in Brookings and in South Dakota for the Rural Housing Development agency, with several other units being built in Watertown, Huron, Yankton and Pierre; and Garden Square in Brookings, the state’s first condominium development.

Add to those jobs, several other firsts in the Brookings area: development of East Acres and Indian Hills; extensive work with the Farmers Home Administration (later the USDA Rural Development Program), that brought home ownership to hundreds of families; and construction of housing in Onaka Village, one of the first SDHDA financed Housing and Urban Development subsidized properties in South Dakota.

Passing the torch

Round two of the Mills Construction story came in 1986, when Harvey’s son, John Mills, joined HE Mills Construction as an estimator and project manager. In 1992 John took the helm as president and rebranded the company as Mills Construction Inc. During his tenure, the company grew: in revenue, workforce, project diversity and geographical reach. The father-and-son team drove the company’s growth, earning for Mills Construction Inc. a solid reputation in the industry.

In 1997, the company’s current president, Randy Hanson, joined the Mills team as a project manager. He quickly advanced to operations manager and was promoted to vice president in 2002. Hanson then began purchasing the company in about 2003 and the deal was finalized several years later.

With a Bachelor of Science degree in both civil engineering and mechanical engineering and with extensive experience in engineering, construction and management, Hanson continues to lead Mills Construction as the company moves into its 76th year.

“Harvey Mills and I were good friends,” Hanson said, fondly remembering the company’s founder and whose name remains as part of its history. “He was like a father-figure to me. He introduced me to John. I thought the name had a good reputation, so I didn’t want to change that.

“I just wanted to continue on, sort of a silent purchase. The name had a good reputation and all the employees for so many years were used to that. It just made sense to me.”

As Mills Construction moves into its next year, Randy Hanson and his wife Stacey Hanson “have been 100 percent owners and we’re part of the Prairie Family Business Association (located in the University of South Dakota (Sioux Falls)).” And another family member is part of the team. Their oldest son, Jacob Hanson, began working for the company during his sophomore year in high school. He continued there through his graduation from South Dakota State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management. He then worked out of state for five years before returning to the “family business,” where he now serves as a project manager on “Trails Head” — which his father called “the largest project we’ve ever done.”

“It’s an apartment, mixed-use (project) on Main Avenue South,” Randy explained. “Commercial above, apartments below.”

Looking to the future

As Mills celebrates its diamond anniversary, it stands ready to continue moving into the future as a leader: in construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. While Mills is headquartered in Brookings, it has an additional office in Madison. Overall, the company serves a 75-mile radius in eastern South Dakota, delivering its projects across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. Its portfolio includes mixed-use facilities, schools, health care facilities, multi-unit residential facilities, churches, sport facilities and office buildings.

In an ever-evolving construction industry, the company continues to be dedicated to quality service and fostering a culture of teamwork.
Contact John Kubal at jkubal@brookingsreg-ister.com. Marlene Schram, Mills Construction Executive Assistant, contributed to this report.

Mills Construction, a design/build construction company in Brookings South Dakota, received two awards at the AGC of South Dakota’s Annual Convention. The South Dakota Building Chapter AGC Build South Dakota Awards are given in recognition of excellence in the construction industry. The Build South Dakota Awards are presented to projects selected by a panel of contractor’s toughest critics; industry peers from other regions.

Mills Construction was recognized for outstanding safety in construction and received the Safety Excellence Award for Outstanding Company. The team was honored with a second accolade and took home the Build South Dakota Award for their renovation work on the 20,000 square foot, mixed use building, The Farmstead, in White.

The Farmstead was truly a collaborative community effort as the owner, Dedicated Investment Group (DIG),  White city council, mayor and citizens, the county of Brookings, Mills Construction, Heartland Consumers Power District and SD USDA Rural Development all worked together to revitalize the community, provide needed housing, amenities and jobs. The former White Care Center closed its doors in 2015. Prior to development, Mills Construction Architectural Department led a series of community discussions focusing on the needs and desires of local residents. All of these elements working together end up creating a hub of activity in the community, and hopefully the success of those businesses helps create even more opportunities for growth in White. The renovated 20,000 square foot building now includes a restaurant space, healthcare clinic, hair salon, a massage therapist, laundry facilities, a fitness center, 13 apartments, and 14 enclosed garages. At the end of the day, this project is about more than just saving and re-purposing a building – it’s about helping to build a community. On July 21, 2018 in conjunction with White’s Pioneer Days an open house was held to celebrate the completion of this key hub in the community. Many local residents that were familiar with the old White care facility went on tours that day and could not believe the incredible transformation that occurred.

The Brookings Register – Tuesday, May 23, 2017 – Mills Construction Honored

A local company has been named one of American Buildings Company’s Award Winners for the 2017 “Excellence in Design” competition.

Mills Construction won second place in the office category. The company used design, innovative technology and value to create a new structure for FirstLine Funding Group in Madison of outstanding utility and beauty. The project included a standard clear span building but also included a five foot façade surrounding the building. The façade transformed the building to make it appear more contemporary. Therefore the building received the benefits of being a metal building, but also gained the striking appearance of an office building.

Mills Construction has been around since 1949. President Randy Hanson said, “Mills Construction is honored to have served the Brookings region for 68 years all the while continuing to grow. We will build every relationship and structure striving to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.”

Mills Construction had a great night of celebration on Thursday, April 7, at the OAC celebrating the Alliant Build America Award for building the Outdoor Adventure Center in the under $10 Million category. Speakers included Bryce Healy from the SD AGC, Brookings Mayor Tim Reed and Randy Hanson, President of Mills Construction. Approximately 120 people attended the event. Thank you to all who made this project an award winning success and for coming to celebrate. It was a great honor for Mills Construction, the Outdoor Adventure Center, Brookings, and the State of South Dakota. Each project we build is important and it is great to receive National recognition and promote the construction industry.