News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County applying for $1 million in grant funding to construct the arena at the new fairgrounds.
Mayor Randy Porter said if awarded, hosting a fair at the Tennessee Avenue location in 2024 will be likely.
“If we can get this ARC grant to pay 50 percent of it, it would be a big deal,” Porter said. “Hopefully next summer, we will be able to finish that up, so when the old fairgrounds does sell, there is not going to be a worry that the buyer will want it immediately and won’t have a place to have a fair.”
Porter said the grant process will take about six months before feedback on funding. Porter said the overall project would include concession stands, bathrooms and bleachers.
“We are doing dirt, streets and utility work at the new fairgrounds currently,” Porter said. “That will finish up sometime next summer or early fall. What we would like to do is get to the point to have a fair out there. The thing that is not there currently and not part of the bid for the dirt work is the arena.”
