Kentucky Department of Agriculture issues record number of county fair grants

FRANKFORT, Ky. – This year, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has awarded a record number of county fair grants for new construction and renovation projects.

A total of 10 fairs received grants, totaling $748,793.13, according to agriculture commissioner Jonathan Shell.

“For agricultural communities across the state, county fairs lie at their cores,” Shell said. “I’m thrilled to announce we were able to award grants to a record number of counties this year by providing funding to 10 local county fair boards for vital infrastructure improvements. These grants will allow county fair boards to enrich the fair experience for their communities and their agricultural partners.”

The amount and the recipient of each grant include:

• Ballard County – $44,117.19 for site prep and installation of a horse barn and metal stalls.
• Boyd County – $62,233.50 for nine sets of bleachers and concrete.
• Clark County – $15,984 for roof repair, a pageant room expansion, and replacement of the show ring fence and lighting.
• Clinton County – $75,859.30 for arena fencing and a gate, concrete safety walls and guard rails, a new announcer stand, speakers at the arena and track, a new flagpole, and replacement of the septic system.
• Germantown Fair – $100,000 for building renovations including windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, electric, siding, roof.
• Hart County – $70,746.60 for reconstruction of an exhibit hall roof, porch overhangs, walkways, lighting, fencing, and public announcement system.
• Laurel County – $100,000 for restrooms and concession building.
• Oldham County – $100,000 for two sets of bleachers, asphalt/concrete walkways, and a new agriculture building.
• Pulaski County – $79,852.54 to replace outdoor lighting and HVAC, and a building upgrade.
• Shelby County – $100,000 for renovation of a horse barn.

Any incorporated fair board in Kentucky may apply with the State Aid to Local Agricultural Fairs Program for grants in the amount of $10,000 to $100,000. Each grant will fund 75% of the cost of the project, with the local fair board matching the other 25%.

Each project must be started within 90 days of the date the project was awarded and must be completed within nine months, officials say.

Grants may be used for infrastructure or facility improvements, capital construction or purchase of non-permanent tangible items such as bleachers or restaurant equipment.

Applications must be submitted to the KDA’s Shows and Fairs Branch and postmarked no later than Oct. 1 each year.

The Kentucky County Fair Council reviews the applications and selects the winning proposals.

For more information, go to kyagr.com/marketing/county-fair-program.html.