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Fair organizers tell appropriations panel capital grants and stipends spur local economic activity, urge help with 3‑acre rule
Summary
Representatives of county and state fairs told the committee capital grants and stipend programs (capital and premium payments) are essential to their survival, return millions to local economies, and that a $2M legislative fund has been targeted to fairs struggling with a 3‑acre impervious-surface requirement.
Several fair organizers and volunteers addressed the Senate Appropriations Committee during public comment on Feb. 18 to describe how capital grants and stipend funds help sustain fairs and local economies.
Jackie Colson, lobbyist and secretary for the fairs association, said the program is not always about asking for more money but recognizes the return fairs provide: "When you consider that we're getting $410,000 as an investment from the legislature, these fairs put $9,000,000 back into the economy of the state of…
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