Or simply constituency strengthening?
On Thursday, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced the projects awarded funds through the competitive grants for Michigan’s county fairs to make building and other capital improvements to their fairground facilities. Adams said:
“Michigan’s local county fairs play a vital role in our agricultural economy by helping to maintain a connection between rural communities and youth development. The awarded grants provide a unique opportunity for our state’s county fairs to enhance their fairground facilities and infrastructure.”
The department received a total of 50 proposals. Of those, MDARD awarded the 22 projects:
• Alcona County Fair, of Lincoln; Alcona County Fair Pavilion Improvement – $8,050
• Alger County Fair, of Chatham, Electrical Upgrades at the Fairgrounds – $4,862.50
• Allegan County Agricultural Society, of Allegan, Upgrades to Electrical and Water at the Campground – $20,000
• Antrim County Fair, of Bellaire, Renovations to Concession Kitchen – $3,196.50
• Berrien County Youth Fair Association, of Berrien Springs, Upgrades to Lighting – $13,841.72
• Chelsea Community Fair, of Chelsea, Overhead Door and New Cement Approaches and Ramps – $14,428.50
• Chippewa County Fair, of Kinross, Constructing a Poultry Barn – $17,144.90
• Chippewa County Stalwart Agricultural Fair Association, of Stalwart, Building a New Covered Show Arena – $8,545.88
• Clare County Agricultural Society, of Harrison, Lavatory Renovations at the Fairgrounds – $17,000
• Gratiot County Fair For Youth, of Alma, Improving Safety and Accessibility at the Fairgrounds – $10,290
• Ionia Free Fair Association, of Ionia, Electrical Improvement and Replacement – $20,000
• Isabella County Youth & Farm Fair Society, of Mt. Pleasant, Constructing an Educational Wing to the Small Animal Barn – $20,000
• Lenawee County Agricultural Society, of Adrian, Roof Restoration on the Cattle and Swine Barns – $8,700
• Midland County Agricultural & Horticultural Society, of Midland, Renovations to the Bath House – $10,305
• Presque Isle County Fair Association, of Millersburg, Fairgrounds Electrical Service Enhancement and Expansion Project – $2,525
• Saginaw County Fair, of Chesaning, Provide Electrical Service to Camping – $11,000
• Shiawassee County Fair, of Corunna, Construct a New Dog Barn – $20,000
• St. Joseph County Grange Fair, of Centreville, Show Arena Roof Project – $20,000
• Upper Peninsula State Fair, of Escanaba, Rustic Campground Upgrades and Expansion – $20,000
• Van Buren Youth Fair, of Hartford, Remove, Replace & Repair Small Animal Display Barns – $20,000
• Washtenaw County Farm Council, of Ann Arbor, Roof Replacement Project – $11,710
• Wayne County Fair Association, Inc., of Belleville, Continuation of Water Supply Upgrades – $20,000 This grant program provides additional access to funds for county fair officials to help make needed improvements to their fairground facilities; including, but not limited to, structural improvements or other renovations to buildings.
Eligible applicants included fairs that are incorporated under Act 80 of 1855 or county owned and operated fairs operating under Act 11 of 1929; and county fairs that have submitted all required year-end reports for the prior two years.
