LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced the 2022 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 via email by MDARD no later than 5 p.m. on March 18.

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.

The submitted grants will go through a competitive grant process and be reviewed by an evaluation committee.

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 MDARD - County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants (michigan.gov) or contact Michael Hetherington or 517-285-8463. Proposals must be sent electronically to Hetherington at hetheringtonm1@michigan.gov.