Potential Fairgrounds Site Under Consideration

The search for a new home to the Putnam County Fair continues as a new potential site has been identified.

Putnam County Executive Randy Porter said he’s now considering whether to do extensive due diligence on the piece of land.

“Continuing to look, hopefully this one may be the one,” Porter said. “But until we do our due diligence on it, can’t say a whole lot yet.”

Environmental studies would be among the next steps in the process, Porter said.

Almost a year has passed since county commissioners voted against the purchase of 92 acres off Interstate 40’s Baxter Exit. Those against the purchase cited the county’s potential debt load with school and justice projects in the coming years.

Others wanted a more concrete offer to purchase the existing fairgrounds off Jefferson Avenue.

Porter said he wants to consider plots with a minimum of 75 acres, preferably in the 90-100 acre range. The additional acreage would allow the fairgrounds to expand beyond its current 35-acre footprint. The extra space could include more outdoor arena facilities and an expo center.

“The problem with most property when you get into those 100 acre tracts or larger is they usually have something wrong with them,” Porter said. “Whether it be sinkholes, wetlands or no infrastructure.”

The current fairgrounds site opened in 1957. County commissioners have been debating its future since the early 90s when reports first surfaced of its “retail potential.”

“Still wanting to more forward with that project and hopefully be successful in the near future,” Porter said.