Hardin County Fairgrounds Development Project Moves Forward After Securing ARPA Funds and Allocation from Hardin County Commissioners’ Office

The development project at the Hardin County Fairgrounds has surpassed another large milestone after securing funding to purchase several needed items and services to move toward construction. The Hardin County Commissioners have fulfilled a funding request of $632,403.20 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

“The Hardin County Fair and all who enjoy it are very fortunate to have commissioners willing to invest in the fairgrounds,” said Jake McFadden, Hardin County Fair Board President. “Their investment in the fair and its grounds demonstrate their commitment to our vision in keeping the fair experience for generations to come.”

The funds will be utilized to purchase additional design and architectural services from WDC Group for schematic designs at $89,990, a total of four, 107-seat “Fold-N-Tow” bleachers for $100,912, Tile & subsurface drainage for $90,181.20, Livestock pen manufacturing for $199,500, cattle tie out construction costs of $82,720, soil sampling for $6,900, geographic surveying for $4,800, and stone expense of $57,400.

Additionally, the commissioner’s office has allocated $500,000 for development project expenses in fiscal year 2025. Although construction costs are still being calculated, this investment brings the total public dollars raised to just over $1.6 million, and over $65,000 in private donations.

The Hardin County Fair Development Project aims to give Hardin County a facility that can be operated in year-round applications, not just the week of the fair through rentals and events.

Additionally, this new facility will serve as a disaster shelter, a staging area for emergency resources in the event of a natural disaster, drive-through health clinics, emergency food distribution, a warming/cooling center, and more.