Senate committee advances $3 million county-fair resiliency grant bill for referral to appropriations

Representative Mitch Ausley, introducing House Bill 15 91, told the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee the bill would create a County Fair Resiliency Grant Program to help local fairgrounds upgrade aging facilities and improve safety and accessibility.

The bill would appropriate $3,000,000 to the Agriculture Commissioner, the Department of Agriculture testified. "The bill would provide an appropriation of $3,000,000 to the agriculture commissioner, to be used for projects to improve infrastructure in county fairgrounds," John Schneider, business marketing and information division director for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, told the committee. Schneider said awards would be a 50% cost share and limited to $100,000 to each county fair association and would be issued on a reimbursable basis.

Supporters from across the state told the committee county fairgrounds serve year-round community uses and that needed repairs range from leaking roofs and failing electrical systems to entirely replacing buildings. "This grant program is an opportunity for us to partner with local organizations, nonprofits and municipalities to bring our vision for a stronger, more resilient fairground to life," Representative Mitch Ausley said as he introduced the measure.

Fair managers and fair-board members described local needs and typical project costs. Brad Brumman, fair manager for the Walsh County Fair, said his arena could require between $1.5 million and $2 million to rebuild. Mark Hafner of Mercer County reported attendance swings — 8,200 and 8,500 in prior years, then a heat-driven drop to about 2,400 — and described recent investments such as $150,000 hoop barns and $90,000 in electrical work. Diane Shell, president of the McLean County Fair Board, said her county funds the fair with a 1-mill levy that yields about $90,000 and that additional revenue must come from sponsorships and grants.

Several smaller counties warned about the program’s matching requirement. Nathan Schneider of Burke County told the committee the county’s 2,200 residents and limited sponsor base make a 1-to-1 match unattainable for his fair. That concern mirrors an apparent discrepancy in testimony: Representative Ausley told the committee the program "does require 1 to 1 match," while Department of Agriculture testimony described a 50% cost-share capped at $100,000 per fair association.

Committee Chair Sherman Lewick called for a due-pass motion. Senator Weber moved a due pass; after committee reconsideration the motion passed and the committee voted to re-refer House Bill 15 91 to the Appropriations Committee. The clerk recorded yes votes from Senator Marsalais, Senator Weston, Senator Weber, Chairman Lewick, Vice Chair Myrdal and Senator Lehi.

The bill, as described in committee testimony, would be administered by the Agriculture Commissioner's Office and provide awards on a reimbursable basis.