Ohio offering $10M in grant funding to support local fairs
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Development released official program guidelines for $10 million in grant funding available to support local fair access and economic impact.
The County & Independent Fairs Grant Program aims to support county and independent agricultural societies in promoting and improving their annual exhibitions, ensuring that fairs remain vibrant hubs in their communities.
“Fairs aren’t just great agricultural education for our kids or entertainment for our communities, they’re living showcases of our state’s vibrant history and bright future,” Gov. Mike Dewine said in a news release.
“By investing in and improving these celebrated destinations, we’re creating traditions and memories for generations of Ohioans to come,” he said.
Lydia Mihalik, director of Development, said that “fairs are an integral part of Ohio’s heritage.”
“By fostering economic growth and increasing access, we’re helping to preserve the culture of our great state,” she said. “We recognize the vital role local fairs play in our state’s fabric, and we want to create sustainable growth and inclusivity from one community to the next.”
Eligible costs include future expenses for new and upgraded machinery and equipment, technology improvements, repairs or improvements to property, structures, and roads, upgrades to electrical or sanitation systems,
and ADA accommodation improvements.
Eligible applicants include county or independent agricultural societies as described in Ohio Revised Code
Sections 1711.01 or 1711.02. The Department of Development administers the program.
Funding for the program was made possible with support from the 135th Ohio General Assembly in House Bill 33. Grants will be distributed evenly among all eligible grant applicants.
Applications will open 10 a.m. on March 1, and be available on the program webpage at development. ohio.gov/countyfairs. Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. on April 30. Interested applicants can sign up for email notifications via a link available at http:// tinyurl.com/3dw4ckw8
“There is no better showcase of Ohio’s farmers and producers than our county and independent fairs,” Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge said. “Each one plays a vital role in telling the story of Ohio agriculture. This new funding will keep fairgrounds as the heartbeat of local communities for generations to come.”
Ohio is home to 94 county and independent fairs across the state. The fair season officially kicks off on June 8 with the Paulding County Fair and will wrap up on Oct. 12 with the Fairfield County Fair.
A complete list of Ohio’s fairs is available on the Department of Agriculture’s website.