Clearfield County agrees to serve as pass-through for Ag Hub and Expo Center federal funding request

Clearfield County commissioners voted to serve as the pass-through applicant for a federal community project funding request to support a proposed Ag Hub and Expo Center at the county fairgrounds.

Commissioners’ approval enables county staff to submit an online application that county and fair representatives said was due the next day and that the fair organization itself could not file as the direct applicant. Project backers said the center is intended as a multipurpose agricultural hub for countywide programs, training and youth activities and will require additional financing over multiple years.

Project proponents told the board the application would supplement other funding sources and that they have sought a range of support letters from local and regional agriculture partners. The proponents identified letters of support expected or received from the Clearfield County Farm Bureau, the local 4‑H coordinator, the FFA program and administration at “Mo Valley,” the Pennsylvania Grain Processing entity, and the livestock sale committee. County staff said they had reviewed eligibility and would proceed to submit the application if the commissioners agreed to act as the pass‑through.

Commissioners noted the application timeline and the need for creative, multi‑year financing. County counsel signaled there are existing agreements between the fair board and the county and indicated any required signatory authority or contract language would be handled on the county’s legal side before final execution. Project backers said the center would aim to serve the county and the surrounding region and that the facility would support youth agricultural programs such as 4‑H and FFA.

The board’s motion to have Clearfield County act as the pass‑through was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript, and no dollar amount for the requested federal contribution was specified during the discussion.

Supporters said the project is eligible for the grant program being pursued and that additional local, state or private funding sources will be required to complete the project; specific funding amounts and a full financing plan were not provided at the meeting. Board members and project representatives emphasized letters of support, coordination with legislators and the need for follow‑up on outstanding questions from the funding office.

The commissioners thanked the project proponents for moving the application on short notice and authorized staff to proceed with submission and with any routine signatory tasks needed to meet the application deadline.