Bill could provide up to $100K for improvements at Stutsman County Fairgrounds

Yahoo

15-03-2025

Mar. 15—JAMESTOWN — A bill in the North Dakota Legislature could provide up to $100,000 for improvements at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds.
The Stutsman County Fairgrounds' facilities are aging and there are challenges in maintaining and improving the infrastructure to meet the needs of the community, wrote Rod Wilhelm, Stutsman County Fair Board member, in his testimony supporting House Bill 1591 that would create a grant program for county agriculture fair associations. He wrote that some of the most important needs at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds include bathrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a storm shelter, agricultural educational facility, roof repairs, concert stage, grandstand and concession updates.
"A long-term goal would be a year-round arena to be used for livestock, horse, Ag Expo, and other events," Wilhelm wrote.
HB 1591 — sponsored by Reps. Mitch Ostlie and Bernie Satrom and Sens. Cole Conley and Terry Wanzek, all R-Jamestown — would create a one-to-one matching grant program and appropriate $3 million to the agriculture commissioner to provide grants to county agriculture fair associations for the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects from July 1 (2025???) to June 30, 2027. No more than $100,000 can be awarded to a county agriculture fair association.
A grant recipient would be required to provide local matching dollars from nonstate sources for every dollar provided by the agriculture commissioner through the program.
The grant program would be funded one time and ends on June 30, 2027.
HB 1591 passed the House on a 74-16 vote. The bill is now in the Senate.
Ostlie said he noticed that the Stutsman County Fair Association might have some projects dealing with infrastructure needs.
"Then as I was doing some research around the state, many other fair associations were in a similar boat. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to get all entities involved," he said.
Ostlie said there are approximately 32 county agriculture fair associations in the state.
"That's where we come up with those dollars for approximately up to $100,000 and then a $3 million overall maximum budget item," he said.
He said the Office of the Agriculture Commissioner would develop the criteria for the application process for the grant program. He also said the North Dakota State Fair would not be eligible for the funds because it has its own budget under the agriculture commissioner's budget.
Ostlie said he worked with the Office of the Agriculture Commissioner to come up with an appropriation for the bill. He said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is on board with HB 1591 as well as many appropriators on the front end.
"I have received very little, if any, opposition to the intent of this grant program," he said. "The main issue really ... is coming down to money, how much assistance people think that we should give."
Wilhelm wrote that agriculture plays an essential role for the Stutsman County Fair, which showcases the state's agricultural diversity.
"From livestock competitions to crop displays and 4-H achievements, the Stutsman County Fair directly connects our community to the vital work happening on farms and ranches across our region," Wilhelm wrote. "The improvements made through this grant would not only ensure the fair continues to thrive but would also allow us to better support future generations of agricultural leaders and innovators."
He wrote that the Stutsman County Fair has an attendance of about 20,000.
"This event celebrates our agricultural history by bringing thousands of families together through 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America), Rodeo, show casing their livestock, horses, rabbits, chickens, art, flowers and baked goods," Wilhelm wrote. "The attendees and exhibitors support local businesses from gas stations, to restaurants, hotels, and retail shops."
The economic impact of the Stutsman County Fair is $3.25 million if each attendee spent $130, said Emily Bivens, executive director of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce and Jamestown Tourism, in an email to Wilhelm. She said the economic impact is based on a 2023 study by North Dakota Tourism that says per-visitor spending was reported as $98 per day for each visitor and $203 per day for each overnight visitor for an average of $130 per day for each visitor.
Ostlie said HB 1591 could potentially have an economic impact of $200,000 for each county with the dollar-for-dollar match.
"It certainly doesn't address all of the infrastructure needs, but it's a nice little shot in the arm potentially," he said.
Bivens wrote in her testimony supporting HB 1591 that a maximum grant of $100,000 for each county fair association would have a direct impact by improving fairgrounds, enhancing visitor experiences and supporting local economies.
"Investing in county fair infrastructure is an investment in North Dakota's future. We respectfully urge this committee to give House Bill 1591 a 'DO PASS' recommendation and support our state's agricultural fairs as they continue to grow, educate, and bring communities together," she wrote.
Stutsman County Commissioner Amanda Hastings wrote in her testimony supporting the bill that the passage of HB 1591 in the House is a crucial step toward strengthening local fairs.
Hastings also wrote that she has concerns regarding a revision requiring a dollar-for-dollar matching fund requirement.
"While I understand the importance of ensuring that grant recipients have a vested interest in these projects, a strict one-to-one match could inadvertently limit the ability of smaller county fairs to fully benefit from the program," she wrote. "Many smaller fairs operate on tight budgets with limited fundraising capabilities, making it difficult to meet such a high matching threshold. As a result, this well-intended grant program may become inaccessible to the very communities that need it the most."
She also wrote that the Legislature should consider a tiered or reduced matching requirement that allows for flexibility on the size and financial capacity of each county fair association.
"This would ensure that all county fairs, regardless of their financial standing, can access funding to improve facilities, enhance programming, and continue serving their communities," she wrote.