Miller Welding gets fast track grant that will enhance 30 year old businesses future.
When Scott Miller began Miller Welding in 1985, all he had to begin with was a truck, a portable welder and himself. Today the business employs three full time people and one part time person, works out of a small shop near he and his wife Lesa’s home and has good contracts with the local gas fields as well as many other kinds of business doing such things as welding, painting and rehabilitation on equipment. Now with the addition of a $50,000 fast track grant within the last month, plans are for more expansion. “We are so excited and can’t believe what has happened,” said Lesa Miller as she discussed the history and the future of the business. “It will give us a chance to expand our services even more.” Starting as the home based business it was in the beginning, right away Scott became busier than he ever imagined. It grew quickly and soon the couple was putting up a small shop with two bays to handle some of the work that needed to be done. But that step has been problematic. They had the growth that was needed to expand, but not enough money to put up the facility they really need.
“We are too small to do a lot of jobs, but at times not big enough to take on some of the work we could get,” said Lesa. “This money will put us in a position to grow and get some of that business.”
The Millers have purchased a shell of a building in north Huntington that basically needs everything redone but the four concrete block walls it has. They have already begun to rehab the building so they can move into it. The back part had a roof that was collapsed and they have removed that. “We will be putting a roof on it,” said Scott as he and Lesa walked through the back door into the bright snow on the floor and the blue sky up above. That back bay also needs the trusses to hold up a roof as well as doors and insulation. “It really is basically a shell,” said Lesa.
As of the end of January they have already completed some work on the front part of the shop and the office area, but they still have a way to go on that as well.
Previous Emery County Economic Director Mike McCandless and present director, Jordan Leonard helped along the way. McCandless helped them to find and secure the building and Leonard shepherded them through the fast track grant process. Working through the Castle Country BEAR program has helped them a lot in learning about services they can obtain. The money has become even more important now that gas field work has slowed down in the area and many of the future projects the company will be undertaking, outside of field work, will require a larger facility. The company also does other kinds of things apart from welding including machine work, crane service work and even livestock hauling.
In the owners mind diversity in business is good because it keeps the wheels turning when one kind of business aspect drops off. However there is more to this business than just making money. Scott and Lesa are proud residents of Emery County and want to improve things in the area as well. They are interested in growth in terms of helping others in the county as well as supporting the areas efforts to establish itself as a great community.
“We want to do this rebuild of the future shop right. We want it to reflect our community and want it to look good as well,” concluded Lesa.
Business spotlight: Miller’s Welding
" Scott and Lesa Miller stand in the back bay of a building they have purchased for their business where the blue sky shows there is no roof anymore. A fast track grant will help in getting the roof on and other improvements done to the building so they can move in."