State fair seeks city support for $4.2 million emergency operations command center

Brian Schultz, general manager of the Kansas State Fair, asked the Hutchinson City Council on June 3 to consider providing funding support for a proposed Emergency Operations Command Center at the fairgrounds located at 20th and Main (former Fire Station 1).

Schultz said the facility would serve as a staging and coordination center during the 10‑day state fair and other large events, housing representatives from the Kansas Highway Patrol and providing a dedicated area for VIN inspections. He said the building also would be designed to FEMA storm‑rated standards to provide additional sheltering capacity during severe weather.

Schultz told council staff estimates for the project have increased from about $2.5 million in earlier planning to roughly $4.2 million, driven by market and tariff uncertainties and the added FEMA‑rated structure requirements. He said the fair has previously pursued state funds and a $250,000 grant for architectural work; the Legislature asked fair officials to demonstrate local and county support when the $2.5 million request went to the Senate.

Councilmembers expressed support for continuing conversations about local funding and for the fair to pursue federal and grant sources; the council approved a motion “to approve a request for funding support” as a formal expression to continue discussions, not a commitment of a specific amount. The recorded vote was Richardson — yes; Garza — yes; Fast — yes; Meggers — yes; Goss — yes.

Schultz said the fair will pursue additional grant funding (including potential FEMA mitigation or shelter grants) and work with the congressional delegation and state agencies; he asked to be able to return with a clearer budget ask once local, state and federal partners are engaged.