(Emery, SD) — The City of Emery and Emery Summer Recreation were recently awarded a total of $2,450 in grants through Central Electric’s Operation Round-Up program to help fund park improvements.

“We are pleased to support these projects,” said LeAnn Moe, the Hanson County representative on the Operation Round-Up board of trustees. “The new scoreboard and trash receptacles are nice additions for the Emery community.”

The City of Emery was awarded $1,250 to put toward upgraded garbage receptacles for the park, and Emery Summer Recreation was awarded $1,200 to help pay for a new scoreboard.

City Finance Officer Kristi Wollmann was instrumental in securing the grant funds for new trash receptacles. She said, “The city is committed to maintaining a clean and safe park facility for all to enjoy, having invested more than $100,000 in the last 10 years. New trash receptacles will enhance the overall beauty of the park.”

Emery Summer Recreation committee member Ross Bartscher explained that the ballpark improvements likely won’t end with the new scoreboard, either. “Next, we are looking into upgrading the lights, dugouts and backstop,” he said.

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which Central Electric members’ bills are rounded to the next whole dollar. The extra cents collected flow into a charitable fund to make a direct impact in the communities of Central Electric members. Each county in Central Electric’s service territory has a representative at the table that reviews grant applications two times per year.

The next grant application deadline is Nov. 1. For more information about the Operation Round-Up program, please contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop/operation-round-up.