United Way seeks county support to bring first Roane County fair in decades

Representatives of the Roane County United Way asked the commission to consider financial support to underwrite a community fair the nonprofit is organizing.

"We would love to have the financial support," Sandy Lehi, executive director of Roane County United Way, told commissioners, explaining the United Way fronted carnival and midway costs and would not divert impact‑service funds to pay those expenses. A United Way board member later said the group hoped the county could contribute about $10,000 to sponsor the event scheduled for May 12–17.

Lehi said the carnival operator carries $8 million in liability coverage and that the company takes responsibility for incidents, and she described the fair as an opportunity to raise grants for nonprofits and reconnect the community after a decades‑long gap in county fairs.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and noted the request for support; there was no vote recorded in the meeting transcript on a direct appropriation. County staff asked for further information and follow‑up on the scope of sponsorship and cost breakdowns.

The United Way said it will pursue city partners and other funding sources and asked the commission to consider sponsorship as part of broader community partnership and tourism planning.