Union County Fair officials are moving forward with a plan to raise funds and construct a new 20,000 square foot building on the fairgrounds. The building would be similar to one in Wayne County, but on a smaller scale. Officials have not decided on an exact location on the fair grounds for the building. The building can serve as a show arena during the fair and other livestock exhibitions but used for a variety of other purposes throughout the year. (Photo submitted)
The Union County Fair is moving forward with a $1.2 million upgrade plan.
At a recent meeting, the board approved a plan to create a campaign committee from Fair Board and Livestock Committee members and immediately kick off a $1.2 million campaign.
According to the report, the consultant’s intent was to, “try and reach consensus on how the community could most efficiently and professionally upgrade the historic fairgrounds.”
The approved recommendation is to construct a new 20,000 square foot building that would serve as a Jr. Fair Show Arena, similar to the one in Wayne County, but “on a smaller scale.”
Officials said they hope a building could spur year-round activity on the fairgrounds.
“We are really excited about this,” said Michelle Kuhlwein, one of the fair directors. “The community wants this. The community needs this. The restaurants want this. The hotels want this.”
She said it will be, “a community-wide thing that will benefit everybody and the kids are going to have an awesome place for their week at the fair.”
The consulting group conducted dozens of interviews. The report noted that the fair is, “well thought of despite setbacks along the way.”
The report stressed that a major project would unify fair leadership and “help the community look forward rather than allowing the past to dog the fair.”
Matt Hughes, who wrote the report for Fair Funding, encouraged the fair board to “move forward with a plan to announce this drive as being a total community collaboration and without over commercializing the Fair create a few naming opportunities, permanent and partial.”
The fair board has named Chuck Shanklin and Dean Cook as co-chairs of the fund drive. Kuhlwein said the board has already met with the Union County Foundation to handle the donations.
The report notes that donations can be made in-kind, but it would be good to have a major gift and to kick off the public portion of the campaign and to challenge other donors.
The report also stressed that in addition to private donations there are public sector and grant possibilities as well.
The consultant advised fair leaders to identify key figures to approach, but to consider the campaign as county wide and to “involve everyone possible.”
“Use a goal of $1.2 million between cash and in-kind gifts to be raised over a 5-year pledge period,” Hughes wrote. “It is clear to me and many others that the money is out there if we leverage the right leadership out in front of this county-wide drive/campaign.”
The consultant did note several obstacles including the dynamic among fair leadership.
“Sr. Fair Board and Livestock Committee are not in lock step,” according to the report, which added that, “the community feels the tension in our leadership.”
The consultant said that contributors are already being tapped for a variety of other community charities and needs.
“The fair is not the only project that needs funding help,” according to the report.
The consultant advised fair officials to create a society or endowment so the fair’s ongoing expenses can be met with estate gifts.
He said this would be an attractive option for individuals with a lifelong love of the fair.
While the report details a timeline for the fundraising campaign, Kuhlwein said the project is in “the preliminary stages.” She said details about the fundraising as well as the actual facility have to be figured out.
Kuhlwein said Hughes’ “history of success” is encouraging to the fair board.
“We feel very confident this is what the community wants and that the community will support this,” she said.