The Marshall County 4-H Fair Board has a sponsor for an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant in the Marshall County Commissioners.
Angel Balsley appeared before the governing body to request the sponsorship as the fair board is looking to apply for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to build a community center on the grounds. The community center could be used for a wide range of activities and it is needed in that community. It is one of the projects that the Town of Argos and the 4-H Fair Board are working on as part of a comprehensive plan with Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG).
The total cost of the project is approximately $750,000 and the Fair Board is working to come up with the remaining $250,000 if awarded the Community Development Block Grant.
The fair board will be working with a grant writer. As part of the process, income surveys will be distributed to homes in Marshall County. Phone calls will also be made and representatives may go door to door to request the information. The results will determine whether or not the income guideline qualification is met in order to be eligible for the grant. A time frame for when the income surveys will be conducted has not been set.
A public hearing is planned for Monday, June 19 to allow residents to weigh in on the matter.
Balsley said the long term plan is to be able to use the revenue generated by the community center to help the Marshall County 4-H Fair Board become more self-sufficient.
The county gives the fair and the fair board $27,000 a year to help with funding.
The commissioners approved the request of being a sponsor of the grant which means the county is merely a “pass through” point where funding is concerned. The county is not liable for any other part of the process. An interlocal agreement will be drafted between the fair board and the commissioners if the grant is awarded to reflect commitments on both sides.
