St. Joe Co. Fair to receive grant

State Rep. Matt Lori on Tuesday announced the St. Joseph County Grange Fair will receive a $20,000 state grant to fund construction of an educational exhibit pavilion to showcase beef.

The county is participating in the County Fairs Capital Improvement Program, which provides Michigan’s county fairs with funds for proposed enhancements to fairgrounds across the state.

Lori said agriculture has always been a key industry in St. Joseph County and Southwestern Michigan, and it’s important that young people take an interest in agriculture.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded grants between $1,000 and $20,000 for 20 improvement projects throughout Michigan.

All grants require a matching commitment by the local fair.