Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Announces Grant Opportunities for County Fairs

Proposals due by 5 p.m. on March 15, 2021

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development today announced this year’s competitive grant cycle for the state’s county fairs to make building and other capital improvements to their fairground facilities. Additionally, grants are available for associations or other organized events hosting fairs or expositions showing livestock and commodities. Both grant proposals must be received by MDARD no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021.

The capital improvement program provides additional 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.

The shows and expositions grants provide financial support for awards in the form of premiums or promotional activities of the livestock and commodity expositions, fairs, and festivals.

Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee as part of the competitive grant process.

Eligible applicants include fairs that are incorporated under Act 80 of 1855 or county owned and operated fairs operating under Act 11 of 1929 and that have submitted all required year-end reports for the prior three years.

Livestock expositions hosting expos must meet the required number of exhibitors.

For detailed program information, application form, and submission criteria, please visit www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants or contact Cinda Karlik or 517-290-8114. Proposals must be received via email to KarlikC@michigan.gov by no later than 5 p.m. on March 15, 2021.