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County Donates $30,000 for Urgent Electrical Repairs at Fairgrounds

February 16, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026

Article Summary: Recognizing critical infrastructure needs, the County Board voted to donate $30,000 from coal royalty funds to the Montgomery County Fair Board for electrical upgrades.

Fairgrounds Funding Key Points:

  • Urgent Need: Fair representatives described the current electrical service as “substandard,” noting the need to use generators during the 2025 fair.

  • Funding Gap: The Fair Board originally requested $67,700 but received a $30,000 donation after the Finance Committee reviewed the request.

  • Event Timeline: Repairs are needed prior to the next county fair, scheduled for June 24-28, 2026.

The Montgomery County Board on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, voted to provide financial assistance to the Montgomery County Fair Board to address failing electrical infrastructure at the fairgrounds.

Fair Board representative Bev Seamon, accompanied by members Marti Benning and LeEllen Watson, appeared before the Finance & Budget Committee prior to the full meeting to outline the severity of the situation. Seamon described the electrical service as being in “substandard shape,” forcing organizers to rely on several Emergency Management Agency (EMA) generators to power the 2025 county fair.

The Fair Board had initially requested $67,700 for the upgrades. Representatives noted they were ineligible for Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grants and had resorted to fundraisers, including a gun raffle, to generate revenue. However, they expressed concern that fundraising alone would not cover the costs before the 2026 fair, which is set for June 24-28.

Finance & Budget Committee Chairman Andy Ritchie recommended a donation of $30,000 from Coal Fund 375. The full board approved the motion unanimously.

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