LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced the 2023 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 via email no later than 5 p.m. on March 17, 2023.

The capital improvement program provides additional funds to help county fair officials 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 like 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 incorporated under Public Act 80 of 1855 or county owned and operated fairs operating under Public Act 11 of 1929 and have submitted all required year-end reports for the prior three years.

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

Proposals must be sent the department via email at MDARD-Fairs@michigan.gov.

For more program information, an application form, or submission criteria, please visit MDARD - County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants (michigan.gov) or call Michael Hetherington at 517-285-8463.