Signing a purchase agreement for the Montcalm County 4-H Fairgrounds is: (Pictured in front, from left) Fair Association President Pat Schuster, MCC President Bob Ferrentino and Montcalm County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Patrick Carr. In back, from left, are fair board member Mike McGonigal, MCC Board of Trustees Chairperson Karen Carbonelli, fair board 1st Vice President Trent Hilding, Montcalm County District 4 Commissioner John Johansen and Montcalm County Controller/Administrator Chris Hyzer.
SIDNEY, Mich.—Three Montcalm County groups have struck a deal that will benefit the community at large.
Officials from Montcalm Community College, the Montcalm County 4-H Fair Association and Montcalm County signed a purchase agreement for the Montcalm County 4-H Fairgrounds property during a gathering recently at the college in Sidney.
MCC is purchasing the 15-acre parcel, located on Hillcrest Street next to Greenville High School, for possible future expansion of its Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC). The deal also paves the way for construction of new fairgrounds to begin on a 63-acre site located near the corner of M-91 and Peck Road in Montcalm Township.
“This is a win-win situation for all parties involved,” said MCC Board of Trustees Chairperson Karen Carbonelli. “This agreement brings together our resources for the betterment of our community.”
MCC President Bob Ferrentino said the college is pleased to be involved in this collaborative effort, which supports the college’s mission, vision and values.
“At MCC, one of our key values is to possess a community orientation and support the development of a world-class community,” Ferrentino said. “This partnership also supports our mission of being a leader in creating a more educated community and contributing to shared prosperity for all our citizens by creating opportunities for MCC’s future.”
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the fair at its current site, an occasion that Fair Board President Pat Schuster said will be celebrated throughout the week-long event July 4-10.
“The fair board is extremely grateful for the cooperation between Montcalm Township, MCC and the county commissioners,” Schuster said. “This is our last year having a fair at the site, and we have several special events planned. This is a very exciting time for us. Our board members, fair association members, local officials and community members have been working on plans to develop a new fairgrounds for more than 10 years, and we are excited to be moving forward.”
Schuster said the sale of the current fairgrounds in Greenville will allow crews to begin phase one of the fairgrounds project at its new site, including fencing, grading and adding water and electricity to the property.
“We’re excited about the future of the 4-H fair,” said Montcalm County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Patrick Carr. “The 4-H fair organization has maintained a strong group even through these poor economic times. I tip my hat to them for the amount of work they’ve done and for working through this downturn of the economy. The commissioners are excited about the future and the ability of the college to use the fairgrounds. This is a benefit for everyone.”
