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Students, districts and county budget $800,000 push toward Western York County Ag Arena
Summary
FFA and 4‑H students asked the Clover School District Board to support a multijurisdictional Western York County Ag Arena; students outlined funding received and organizers said county committed up to $800,000 and the project had secured much but not all of its $5.5 million budget.
Students representing Clover High School FFA and other county youth agriculture programs presented the Western York County Ag Arena proposal to the Clover School District Board of Trustees Monday, asking the four school districts to support the project and noting a mix of state and local funding already secured.
Emma Brown, identified as president of the Clover High School FFA chapter, described the history of the effort and the practical effects of not having a permanent facility in York County: organizers must travel to other counties for shows, increasing trailer and travel costs and reducing participation. “This arena will allow for not only a collaboration of the 4 districts, but it also will provide a space to host region and state events,” a student presenter said.
Student presenters described a funding timeline and amounts provided during the arena campaign: $500,000 from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in December 2022, $750,000 from the South Carolina Department of Education in December 2023, and a $3 million allocation described as received in June 2024. A presenter said the project budget is $5,500,000 and that secured funds total about $4,300,000. The students said a proposed site of roughly 96 acres had been procured, with about 20 acres planned for immediate arena development.
Superintendent Dr. Quinn told the board York County’s budget included up to $800,000 for the Western York County Ag Arena and that the districts would consider local contributions as part of next month’s budget process. “We are at that stage where the districts are considering to get us over the hump and get some ground broken and move us forward if there’s some additional funds that the board could consider in our budget this year,” Quinn said.
Students noted fundraising and sponsorship campaigns, including a “buying a brick” fundraiser, and said a groundbreaking would be held in June 2025. Students asked the Clover board and the other district boards to support bringing the arena forward in local budgets so construction could proceed.
Board members did not take a funding vote at the meeting. The presentation was informational and flagged for potential inclusion in the Clover School District’s budget discussions in May.
The presentation included architectural renderings, a planned logo, and a description of site features and materials. Student presenters emphasized countywide participation and economic-development opportunities tied to hosting regional competitions.
Next steps: The districts will consider the students’ request during the May budget process; York County’s staff also has placed up to $800,000 in its budget for the project, according to the superintendent.
