County Fairs Capital Improvement Grants

The County Fairs Capital Improvement Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). This state-level funding opportunity supports Michigan-based county fairs by financing capital improvement projects aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of fairgrounds across the state. The department’s goal is to strengthen the long-term viability, safety, and operational efficiency of county fairgrounds by helping them invest in durable and productive facility upgrades. This initiative reflects MDARD’s broader commitment to supporting rural development and agricultural communities through strategic public investment. The grant specifically targets building improvements and capital improvements. Building improvements include changes that extend the useful life of structures used for fair purposes and owned by either the fair association or its political subdivision. Capital improvements go a step further, encompassing enhancements to any capital asset that either increases its lifespan, value, or usefulness. These may include structural renovations or other forms of productivity-enhancing upgrades. By focusing on long-term value rather than temporary repairs, the grant aims to make Michigan’s county fairgrounds more sustainable and serviceable for both fair and non-fair events. A total of $480,000 is available for distribution in Fiscal Year 2026. Individual grants range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $100,000. This is a reimbursement-based program that requires a 50% cash match from recipients. In-kind services are not allowable toward the match requirement. For example, a fair undertaking a $45,000 capital improvement project could request $30,000 in grant funding and would be required to provide a $15,000 cash contribution. Only one application may be submitted per fair association, and the grant is limited to those that did not receive a competitive award in the previous cycle. Eligible applicants must be fairs incorporated under Act 80 of 1855 (Local Agricultural or Horticultural Society) or county-owned fairs operating under Act 11 of 1929. Applicants must have submitted all required year-end reports for the past three years. Fair associations leasing their grounds must hold a lease of at least five years to qualify. Applications must be submitted electronically through the MiAgGrants system, which is integrated with Michigan's MiLogin platform. Applicants can register under a Citizen or Business account depending on the nature of their organization. Applications for the 2026 cycle opened on October 15, 2025, and must be submitted by March 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Recipients will be announced in early May 2026. Funded projects may begin in May 2026 and must be completed by August 31, 2027. Interim reports are due September 15, 2026, and final reports are due September 15, 2027. An additional performance impact report is required three years after the project's completion, detailing financial outcomes related to both fair and non-fairground uses. Applications will be evaluated based on several scoring criteria: project purpose, expected measurable outcomes, budget quality, potential impact, work plan, and long-term sustainability. These criteria reflect the program’s focus on strategic, well-documented, and impactful capital investments. For questions, applicants may contact Zane Stanton, Financial Specialist, Executive Office, at 517-855-0041 or [email protected].

Highlight measurable outcomes and submit a clear, detailed budget. Consider long-term impact and sustainability in your proposal.