Oct. 7 -- MITCHELL -- One Mitchell-based non-profit has responded publicly to the Mitchell City Council's decision to deny subsidy funding.
During citizen's input at the Mitchell City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, Mitchell Area Community Theater (ACT) board president Cat Erickson addressed the council regarding its decision two weeks ago to deny subsidy funding to the non-profit. ACT applied for $78,298 in 2026 subsidy funding, was allocated a preliminary $29,750 and was denied funding by the council.
At the Sept. 22 council meeting, the stated reason for the council denying ACT's funding request was for ACT's failure to meet the
2024's subsidy goal of replacing the roof at the Pepsi-Cola Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Erickson told the council that staff and board turnover led to not replacing the roof. ACT was subsidized $42,500 in the city of Mitchell's 2025 budget after requesting $85,000.
"Our fundraising progress did not move forward as planned, and thus the roof replacement project... has not yet been completed," said Erickson, who emphasized that the roof was repaired and not replaced.
Erickson noted that the non-profit's subsidy application stated that ACT completed a stage project in 2025 with a combination of fundraising and community donations, and that while repairs happened on the stage, the roof became an immediate issue. A new roof was estimated at $126,000, according to Erickson.
"We did perform some repairs to the roof in order to prevent our new stage and the current roof from any more damage or deterioration," Erickson said.
The ACT board is fundraising to make up the difference for what was not subsidized by the city, according to Erickson.
ACT's 2026 subsidy application stated the funds were to make ADA-compliant upgrades to the theater building and to upgrade costumes, sets, lighting and sound as well as pay for performer contracts and advertising.
Erickson invited the council out to visit the theater and enjoy a youth or regular season show. The theater is located next door to City Hall on Main Street across from Seventh Avenue.
"I do want to say on behalf of the ACT theater board that we appreciate your understanding and your continued support as we work towards this important improvement," Erickson said.
At the Sept. 22 council meeting,
the council set aside $644,438 in subsidy funding for 11 non-profits in its proposed 2026 budget.
80.61% of the subsidies went to five applicants who share a roof at the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce building. This was an increase of $187,138 over Mitchell Mayor Jordan Hanson's proposed 2026 budget. Of note, $36,778 went to new applicant Horseman's Sports Inc. for youth rodeo bucking shoots and an increase of funding to match one dollar per Mitchell resident was awarded to the Exchange Club fireworks show.