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State Fair Board project delayed by RFP process and inflation, officials tell subcommittee
Summary
State Fair Board/Kentucky Venues officials told the House Budget Review Subcommittee that funds appropriated in July could not be obligated until late November/December because of a lengthy RFP process and rising inflation, leaving projects underfunded; officials said more than 4,000 tradespeople are involved and they are coordinating with the Department of Agriculture to emphasize Kentucky products.
Officials from the State Fair Board/Kentucky Venues told the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Feb. 3 that a capital project is behind schedule and underfunded because procurement timing and inflation drove costs above original estimates.
David E. Beck, President and CEO of the State Fair Board/Kentucky Venues, and Tony (Anthony) Schreck, CFO, told the subcommittee that although funds were appropriated in July, work on the project could not begin until late November and December due to a lengthy request‑for‑proposal process. Schreck said the RFP timeline delayed contracting, and Beck added that inflation increased costs during the delay, leaving the appropriation insufficient to complete the project as originally planned.
Officials told members that the project involves more than 4,000 different tradespeople, primarily Kentucky‑based, and emphasized local economic benefits. Beck said the agency is coordinating with the Department of Agriculture to increase focus on Kentucky food and beverage vendors at venues and events tied to the project.
The briefing informed the subcommittee about procurement timing, workforce participation and cost pressures; the minutes record no formal vote or directive related to the project at the Feb. 3 meeting. The subcommittee’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2026.
