NYS announces $5 million for county fair infrastructure improvement projects

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $5 million is being awarded to county and youth fairs across the State through the 2017 Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program. The funding will be divided equally among the State's 52 eligible local fairs, with each receiving an award of $96,153 to offset the cost of improvements and renovation projects, including new construction, that support New York's agricultural industry. This second round of funding approved in the New York State Budget builds on the $5 million allocated for county fairs in 2016.

"New York's local county fairs showcase the best of our agriculture and community tradition and help generate economic activity across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "By providing our county fairs with resources for improvement projects, we are investing in the regional economy, helping to boost tourism and promoting local agriculture and small businesses."

To receive the funding, fairs must submit the scope of work and estimated budget for proposed projects. Projects must be submitted to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which is administering the program. The funding can be used to build, repair, replace, acquire, or install fairground buildings, facilities or equipment that are used to house or promote agriculture. A list of eligible local fairs across New York State can be found here.

Once projects are approved by the Department, a contract will be developed and completed through the New York State Grants Gateway. Projects must be finished and the awarded funds must be spent by March 31, 2022.  Any money remaining after that date will be divided equally among the awardees who can then submit plans for additional projects.

 

To help eligible fairs with their project proposal submissions, the Department will hold two webinars: Thursday, November 2 at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, November 8 at 1:30 p.m. For more information on attending the webinars or to receive the webinar materials, please contact meg.mccabe@agriculture.ny.gov or call 518-457-2195.

 

The Department will be contacting eligible fairs with additional details on the 2017 Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program in the coming weeks. 

 

A dozen local fair improvement projects awarded earlier this year under the 2016 program are currently underway.  Examples of successful projects include:

 

• Cattaraugus County Fair - Construction of a new horse barn. 
• Erie County Fair - Purchased new gates and pens for additional livestock, purchased additional fans for better circulation in the livestock areas, purchased boom lift to help move stalling for livestock shows.
• Niagara County Fair - Construction of a pole barn for 4-H youth activities and to promote the local agricultural industry.
• Saratoga County Fair - Construction of a new, additional cattle barn.