MDARD Awards Nearly $1.6 Million of Grant Funding to County Fairs and Expositions

Grants will support infrastructure and safety improvements, shows and expos

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today awarded 29 grants worth nearly $1.6 million to fund capital improvements at county fairground facilities and to support expositions featuring livestock and commodities.    

"MDARD is proud to support county fairs as indispensable forums for agricultural education, local commerce and civic engagement,"  said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "Today's grants will help build infrastructure and programs that connect Michiganders to the food they eat and to our state's rich agricultural heritage."

Following a rigorous application and review process, MDARD awarded County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants to the following 22 entities:  

• Alger County Fair $12,500 for livestock infrastructure and safety improvements 
• Allegan County Fair $100,000 for asphalting the fairgrounds  
• Armada Agricultural Society (Macomb County) $56,300 to support safety compliance and incident command preparedness  
• Barry County Agricultural Society $100,000 for accessibility improvements, safe and barrier-free parking  
• Branch County Fair $91,211 for bath house accessibility renovations  
• Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair $24,000 for small animal barn improvements  
• Emmet-Charlevoix Co. Fair $100,000 for campground electrical improvements  
• Genesee County Agricultural Society $100,000 for sewer and water infrastructure improvements at the Genesee County Agriplex 
• Gogebic County $80,000 for accessibility and safety improvements  
• Houghton County Fair Association $63,200 for electrical upgrades to ensure safe lighting, sound and ventilation  
• Huron Community Fair Association $100,000 for a housing expansion project  
• Ionia Free Fair Association $100,000 for a new pavilion and an emergency evacuation road asphalt project  
• Iosco County Agriculture Society $62,400 for livestock barn restrooms construction  
• Midland County Agricultural & Horticultural Society $67,700 for a grandstand safety and infrastructure project  
• Missaukee Agricultural Youth Show $7,850 for a water system upgrade  
• Newaygo County Agricultural Fair Association $63,100 for barn construction  
• Oakland County Fair $29,639 for a campground upgrade 
• Oceana County Agricultural Society $100,000 for a restroom and shower project  
• Ogemaw County Agricultural Society $58,300 to upgrade the public address system  
• The Berlin Fair (Ottawa County) $96,000 for electrical utility upgrades  
• Tuscola County Fair Association $100,000 to support a grandstand accessibility and safety project  
• Wayne County Fair Association $43,300 for restroom restoration  

MDARD also awarded Livestock and Commodity Exposition Competitive Grants to the following seven entities:  

• Calhoun County $3,500 to support the premium for incentive class at the Queens Cup  
• Fowlerville Agricultural Society $3,500 to support family fair open class premiums  
• Genessee County Agricultural Society $3,500 for premium support and promotion at the Vehicle City Jackpot Show  
• Isabella County Youth and Farm Fair Society $3,500 to support the Senior Champion Showman Awards 
• Monroe County Fair Association $3,500 to support 4-H award items  
• Ogemaw County Agricultural Society $3,500 for fair premium assistance  
• Shiawassee County Agricultural Society $3,500 for marketing and advertising  

Since Fiscal Year 2019, MDARD has awarded more than $5.3 million in County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants. The grants were part of more than $184 million of funding MDARD delivered over the past seven years to help Michigan communities build infrastructure, promote agricultural development and create jobs.  

MDARD's County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants help fund safety and infrastructure enhancements at county fairground facilities, including structural improvements and other building renovations. To be eligible for these grants, prospective applicants must: 

• Be incorporated under Act 80 of 1855
• Be a county-owned and operated fair operating under Act 11 of 1929 
• Have submitted all required annual reports for the prior three years 

MDARD s Livestock and Commodity Exposition Competitive Grants provide financial support in the form of premiums or promotional activities to non-profit fairs, expositions and events that promote livestock and commodities. To be eligible for these grants, events must meet the required number of exhibitors.  

Michigan's 86 county fairs attract an estimated 4.5 million attendees annually. In addition to providing grant support, MDARD helps ensure the safety and success of county fairs by licensing and inspecting food vendors, performing animal health inspections and delivering educational programming.  

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