By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

GREENVILLE, Mich. — The Montcalm County 4-H Fair Assoc. broke ground June 21 for its $4 million fairgrounds on 63 acres of land north of Greenville, and announced a $100,000 contribution to the project’s capital campaign from Fred and Lena Meijer of Meijer Corp.

“This is a personal gift from Fred and Lena,” association President Pat Schuster told the crowd of about 100 people gathered for the groundbreaking. “If you happen to see Fred at Meijer in Greenville, say ‘thanks’ to him.”

The Meijers are fair alumni and Greenville Meijer is the original location of the corporation’s stores. Along with the Meijers’ donation, $10,000 donations each from Chemical Bank, Consumers Energy, Durst Drywall and Isabella Bank were announced.

Schuster also recognized dozens of individuals, elected officials and organizations for their support.

“We’ve been to a lot of committee meetings, site plan reviews, county commissioner meetings and we’ve had 100 percent positive votes to help us get out here,” Schuster said.

The new fairgrounds project has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years. According the fair board, the expansion is necessary to accommodate the county’s youth 4-H program, which has grown significantly throughout the 10-year planning phase and continues to experience increasing enrollments.

In addition, the fair has been unable to accommodate consumer demand in recent years, often running short of on-site parking and entertaining sell-out crowds during events hosted in front of its grandstand.

Montcalm County and the fair association recently closed a deal to sell the current 17-acre fairgrounds to Montcalm Community College. The association will receive $500,000 of the $750,000 sale proceeds toward construction of its new fairgrounds.

Mike McGonigal, chairman of the new fairgrounds’ fundraising committee, thanked attendees for their commitment to the fair and to the new fairgrounds project. “Your support shows the validity and passion behind this project,” he said.

McGonigal said there are a variety of options for supporting the project and he encouraged all attendees to consider pledging their support.

“The great thing about it is that everyone has the chance to put their names on this project,” he said. “How often do you get an opportunity to make a contribution of any size that will give you recognition for generations to come?

“The donations we’ve received so far have been fantastic. Those who have already offered support financially have been absolutely outstanding to us.”

By summer 2011, fair officials expect to have the first phase of construction completed at the new fairgrounds – fencing, grading, establishing water service and electricity, construction of the campgrounds and some animal barns – just in time to host the annual July event.

Eventually, site plans call for construction of additional animal and exhibit buildings and arenas, a grandstand, landscaping and more. The work is expected to be completed in phases as money is raised.

“Two or 20 tents, four or 40 porta-johns, we will be here in 2011,” Schuster said.

The fair association will host its 75th and final Montcalm County 4-H Fair from July 4-10 at what will soon be the old fairgrounds, located on Hillcrest Street next to Greenville High School in Greenville.