HARRISBURG – County and community fairs across Pennsylvania will be able to enhance and expand their facilities with $750,000 in matching grants, Governor Edward G. Rendell said.
In Clearfield County, the Harmony Grange Fair is receiving $2,750 to replace exterior doors on the Grange Building.
“Pennsylvania’s fairs are an important part of our agricultural tradition,” Rendell said. “Our fairs host nearly 6 million visitors every year and they showcase the richness of our heritage. This investment shows our commitment to fairs, recognizing that they continue to play a vital role in Pennsylvania’s economy and rural communities.”
Under the capital improvement matching grant program, fairs receive funding for maintenance and improvement projects. Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff chairs the Fair Advisory Board, which approves the grants – part of the larger, $4 million Pennsylvania Fair Fund.
The fund helps the state’s 116 county and community fairs with annual operating costs and offers financial support to youth organizations with agricultural missions.
This year, the board approved 55 project applications for funding in the 2007-08 fiscal year. Projects included the construction of new barns, road paving, electrical and lighting upgrades, improvements to water and sewer systems and parking lot expansion.
The Blue Ribbon Passport, an agritourism initiative born out of a partnership between the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs and the Department of Agriculture, guides visitors to a number of fairs, farmers markets, wineries and farm stays along the I-78 and I-79 corridors.
“Pennsylvanians are fortunate to have convenient access to fresh produce, meat and dairy products,” Rendell said. “Consumers do not always realize the work farmers do to get food from the farm to their dinner tables. Our many fairs and agritourism experiences provide an excellent outlet to educate the public and provide them with a greater appreciation for our state’s leading industry.”