News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Construction has begun on a new agricultural center at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds.
DeKalb County Fair Association President Matt Boss said the 18,200-square-foot facility will provide a positive economic impact on the area.
“This is something that has been in the works for probably three years,” Boss said. “It’s not only going to benefit the fair, it’s going to benefit DeKalb County and the surrounding counties by being able to have a facility like this for different agricultural events and different things that can be utilized throughout the year.”
Boss said the project will be completed in phases, with the first building being finished before this year’s fair.
“We’re going to have a 100-by-150 [foot] barn arena, and that will be for our different agricultural shows, cow shows, pig shows, stuff of that nature,” Boss said. “That will actually be finished by the end of May this year.”
A new exhibition building will be constructed once the arena is completed, and should be finished by the 2020 fair.
Boss also noted that the project will include a new farmers market.
“You’ll have more people being able to utilize that farmers market,” Boss said. “Alexandria borders Wilson County, Smith County, and you’ve got Cannon County and Liberty, so we’re right there in the middle of all that. We’re far away from Lebanon and we’re far away from Cookeville, so it’s going to be a huge economic impact for people in that area.”
Boss said the buildings are being constructed with help from grant funding through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
