Over $300,000 in funds have been announced to assist the Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana county fairs this summer.

The State of Ohio announced funding awards totaling $106,831.54 each for the Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana County Agricultural Societies as part of Ohio's County and Independent Fair Grant Program which will award $10 million in grants for all 94 county and independent fairs across the state.

"Fairs bring communities together and are an important part of the Mahoning Valley identity," said State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown), who serves Ohio's 59th District which includes parts of Columbiana and Mahoning County. "I'm thankful state lawmakers are helping to remove barriers to entry and ensuring all Ohioans can enjoy them."

Funding was awarded by the Fair Grant Program with the intent to provide local agricultural societies with the capital to make improvements such as upgrades to grounds, electrical and sanitation systems, machinery and equipment, and ADA accommodations.

21 News reached out to all three Mahoning Valley county fair organizations for updates on potential plans for how each fair will utilize the funds. According to a representative at the Canfield Fair, each fair organization was required to provide the state with potential projects for utilizing the funds.

The Canfield and Columbiana County Fairs are in the process of discerning which projects to move forward with prior to this summer's fairs.

The Trumbull County Fair announced that it will use the grant to purchase new ticket booths for the main entrance, redo roofing and siding on commercial buildings, and create a new walk-in area for the fair's Grandstand dedicated to Harry “Bud” Rodgers, a longtime Trumbull County Fair Board president and member who passed away unexpectedly in February 2024.

House Bill 33 was passed in July 2023 which established the program and guaranteed that funds were distributed evenly among all eligible applicants.

The Trumbull County Fair will take place July 9th - 14th at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds.

The 178th Canfield Fair in Mahoning County will take place August 28th - September 2nd at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The Columbiana County Fair will take place July 29th - August 4th at the Columbiana County Fairgrounds.

A complete list of Ohio's fairs is available on the Department of Agriculture's website.