Michigan fair association urges $500,000 for county fair capital grant, highlights youth and community benefits

The Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions told the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, World Development and Natural Resources that county fairgrounds are a year-round community asset and asked lawmakers to include $500,000 in the governor's recommended budget for the county fair capital improvement competitive matching grant.

"For the past several years, Michigan Fairs have had a grant, line item that is a competitive matching grant funds that fairs can apply for to make capital improvements to their grounds," Lisa Reif, interim executive director of the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, said in testimony to the subcommittee. She said the grant can be tailored for large and small fairs, and listed typical projects including electrical upgrades, campground updates, building improvements and improved accessibility.

Reif told the committee that Michigan fairgrounds host about 4,500,000 attendees annually and that fairs support activities year-round beyond the week of the fair. "Many people think that the fairgrounds really only host the fair, the week of the fair," she said. Reif described non-fair uses including wedding and festival rentals, camping rallies, disaster response and pandemic food distribution. As one example, she said the Otsego County Fairgrounds served as a storm camp for "over a thousand crew members" helping restore power after ice storms.

Two youth exhibitors from the Eastern Michigan State Fair also testified. Jessica Peters, a junior fair board member and a past president of the Pure County FFA, described herself as a first-generation exhibitor who joined FFA because of the fair. "Without the fair, I would not have joined FFA," Peters said, adding that fairs provide community connections and leadership opportunities for young people.

Shelby Howell, an exhibitor and former Lapeer County Sentinel for FFA, said the auction proceeds and other fair activities fund education and future projects for youth exhibitors. "Without that kind of funding from my animals, I'm not gonna be a Michigan State," Howell said, describing the role of sale proceeds in paying for college and future projects.

Committee members asked about the broader community and economic impact. Reif said roughly 45,000 young people participate statewide in fair-related programs and that fairs support local nonprofits, school groups and fundraisers, and host events such as track meets and club retreats throughout the year. She also said some carnivals and ride operators did not return after the COVID-19 pandemic because of high capital costs and labor challenges, and that some smaller fairs have "pulled back" program offerings while many county fairs remain strong.

Rep. Roth moved to approve the minutes of May 14, 2025; the motion was approved by unanimous consent with no roll-call vote recorded. The committee heard the testimony and asked questions but did not take any further formal action on the funding request during the session.

The association asked that the county fair capital improvement grant remain funded and requested the governor's recommended amount of $500,000 for the next budget round. Members praised the testimony, particularly the youth speakers, and closed the hearing after questions and remarks.