Michigan department announces grant opportunities for statewide county fairs
LANSING, Mich. — County fairs across Michigan that are in need of funding can now apply for grants through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD.
The 2023 grant cycle that opened Tuesday allows Michigan's county fairs to make building and other improvements to their fairground facilities through the Capital Improvement Program, according to MDARD.
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Grants are also available for associations or other organized events hosting fairs and expositions showing livestock and commodities through shows and expositions grants, officials said.
However, livestock expositions hosting expos must meet the required number of exhibitors.
Submitted grants are expected to undergo a competitive grant process, and be reviewed by an evaluation committee, according to MDARD.
Eligible applicants include fairs incorporated under Public Act 80 of 1855, or county-owned and operated fairs operating under Public Act 11 of 1929 that have submitted all required year-end reports for the last three years, officials said.
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Both grant proposals must be emailed to MDARD no later than Friday, March 17 at 5 p.m.
More information about the program, an application form, or submission criteria can be found online, by email, or calling 517-285-8463.
