Boone County Fair receives state money

Posted: Apr 19, 2018 6:46 PM CDT

BOONE COUNTY (WREX) -

After waiting for nearly $85,000 in state funding since November 2017, Illinois Comptroller's office told 13 News that they have been approved to release all fair funding immediately.

The Boone County Fair says through the Department of Agriculture, they had applied for funding. However, after speaking to the Comptroller's office, they said the Department of Agriculture applied for over $11 Million in voucher requests, but they only have $4.4 Million to allocate. The fair funding made the priority list and was just granted the funds it applied for.

Boone County board member, Jack Ratcliffe says if these funds didn't come soon, they would not have been able to make the necessary improvements they had planned on making for this years fair.

"All of our maintenance we need to do.. needs to be done by July, so we need the operating capital as soon as possible," Ratcliffe said.

Ratcliffe says they were able to avoid possible setbacks, like having to increase gate prices, or even cutting prize premiums thanks to the recent news of their funding going through.

Illinois State Senator, Dave Syverson says this funding is extremely important to the community, and to all the fairs around the state as well.

"It is a strong economic engine and has a rich history. The people who run the Boone County Fair have consistently been at the top in the state when it comes to managing great family fun," Syverson said.

The Boone County fair will take place at the Boone County Fair grounds from August 7 through 12.

Above is from:  http://www.wrex.com/story/37999660/2018/04/Thursday/boone-county-fair-receives-long-awaited-state-funding