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Ag Society outlines fairgrounds upgrades, revenue gains and capital needs
Summary
The Morrison County Ag Society reported additions including new Wi‑Fi on half the fairgrounds, equipment purchases, security upgrades and parking revenue growth from about $7,800 in 2024 to $12,400 this year; society leaders flagged a potential $500,000 entrance/road project and said they are planning for longer‑term infrastructure and event contracts.
The Morrison County Ag Society presented its annual report to the county board on Nov. 18, describing improvements, event activity and fiscal planning for the fairgrounds.
Jeremy Hampler, speaking as HSID/Ag Society president, said the society added Wi‑Fi to the west half of the fairgrounds this year, purchased a newer mower to replace a 2003 model, rekeyed buildings after break‑ins and completed structural repairs to the cattle barn. He outlined several recurring events that draw regional visitors — including a multiweek racing schedule and a summer concert that was canceled by a storm last year — and said campsite sales were strong, with 148 campsites sold shortly after opening for next year.
"We added Wi‑Fi to half of the fairgrounds this year, so the West half has got it," Hampler said, summarizing a major capital‑program improvement.
Hampler and other Ag Society representatives reviewed budget figures and said parking revenue was roughly $7,800 in 2024 and rose to $12,400 in the current reporting year. They told the board they are planning for a larger entrance/road improvement that could cost on the order of half a million dollars and are exploring multi‑year agreements with event stakeholders to support infrastructure investment.
Commissioners asked about conflicts of interest, contracts and the society’s process for setting rental rates and noted the society’s practice of working with event organizers — some of which provide labor or in‑kind services that offset rental fees. No formal county action was taken; the board received the report and thanked society leaders for the update.
