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County Fairs Water Infrastructure Capital Improvement Grant

County Fairs Water Infrastructure Capital Improvement Grant

Purpose

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering the Water Infrastructure Capital Improvement Grant opportunity to county fairs within the state. This program will assist in the enhancement of water infrastructure at county fairgrounds. The funding would support improvements in water systems at county fairs that will ultimately protect human, animal, and environmental health. Funded through Michigan’s Emerging Contaminants in Food and Agriculture appropriation, the priority of this program focuses on reducing current risks and preventing future impacts from emerging contaminants across drinking water, wastewater, and other fairground water infrastructure. Total funding available for this grant program is $500,000 for fiscal year 2026.

Water Infrastructure Improvement Examples:

  • Water Line Replacement
  • Sewage or Septic Upgrades
  • Well Drilling
  • Municipal Hookup
  • Filtration Systems
  • Upgrades to Animal Watering Systems
  • Water Storage Capabilities

Schedule

The grant program will adhere to the following timeline:
March 16, 2026

Announcement

June 15, 2026, 5pm

Grant Proposals Due

Due at 11:59 AM
Early August, 2026

Announcement of Recipients

August 1, 2026 ToJuly 31, 2028

Project/Program Duration

August 1, 2027

Interim Reports Due

August 31, 2028

Final Reports Due

Eligibility Requirements

  • Fairs incorporated under Act 80 of 1855 – Local Agricultural or Horticultural Society.
  • County-owned and operated fairs operating under Act 11 of 1929.
  • County fairs that have submitted all required year-end reports for the prior three years.
  • Fair Associations leasing their grounds must have a minimum of a five-year lease for the use of the grounds to hold the annual fair and other non-fair events.

Funding Availability

This is a cost reimbursement grant and must have a 0% cash match. Grants will be awarded a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000.

Limit of one project and proposal per fair association.

Reports

Interim and final reporting dates will be identified in the final grant document.

Procedure for Submission of a Proposal

Complete the enclosed application form and use the prescribed format to complete a grant request. All grant proposals shall be submitted electronically to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as defined in the timeline. Proposals shall be submitted via MDARD - MiAgGrants Grant Management System.

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Scoring Criteria

Category Possible Points Category Weight
Project Purpose - How well is the need for improvements to water infrastructure defined as they relate to the priority of this funding. 25 25%
Expected Measurable Outcomes - Goals and objectives of the project (metrics). 20 20%
Budget - Detail and quality of the budget submitted. 15 15%
Potential Impact - To fair events, non-fair events, and the next five years of operations. 15 15%
Work plan - how will the project be completed and will it meet needs. 15 15%
Sustainability - the lasting benefits of the project. 10 10%
Total: 100 100%