County officials outline conditional $1.2 million Ready 2.0 award for new 4‑H/fairgrounds building

Commissioners heard a presentation from Mayor Green and local economic‑development representatives explaining how the 4‑H building at the fairgrounds became a recommended project for Ready 2.0 funding.

Angie and other Growth Partnership representatives said the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the River Hills regional development authority (RDA) reviewed applications and toured sites across the region. They said the RDA publicly announced it will recommend a $1.2 million award toward the project and advised the county to “shoot for the stars” in planning a viable community facility rather than a bare bones shell.

Officials said the Ready 2.0 application process was statewide and competitive; dozens of projects (township water lines, housing, fairgrounds projects and more) were submitted and the RDA used internal scoring and the IEDC’s review to narrow the finalists. The speakers said the RDA’s recommendation is currently conditional: the project is undergoing additional financial and legal review by Ernston Young (state accounting reviewer) and the IEDC before the award becomes guaranteed.

The county’s proposed local contribution would not come from a new tax levy, presenters said, but instead from interest on a bond that is maturing later this year — staff estimated that interest could provide up to roughly $300,000 as a local match. Officials also outlined procurement and oversight steps: an RFP will be issued publicly, bids will be opened at a public meeting, proposals will be evaluated by HWC Engineering, and the IEDC and Ernston Young will monitor milestones and require monthly progress reports and final audit oversight.

Speakers acknowledged community concerns about site selection and scope. They said one area of the fairgrounds contains a filled sinkhole and must remain as parking; the chosen project footprint accounts for subsurface constraints. The presenters also emphasized there have been no contractor selections to date, that Cotton Gam Enterprises had provided an in‑kind design contribution (documented by a signed letter), and that a formal RFP/evaluation process will follow before award and a public contract vote by the commissioners.

If the state grants final approval, the county will return with a contract for a public vote. Officials said the IEDC expects final decisions by about June 30 and that, if approved, the county could seek demolition and site prep after the fair and aim for construction completion in early spring 2027, subject to permit timelines and procurement windows.

What’s next: the award is conditional and requires state clearance and financial review; when the IEDC signs off the county expects to place an RFP, receive bids publicly, evaluate proposals via HWC Engineering, and bring a contract to the board for approval and signature.