There hasn’t been any major repair or renovation performed at the Greater Jacksonville Fair Association’s Fairgrounds & Expo Center since it opened more than 25 years ago — and it’s time.
An ordinance introduced Tuesday to City Council would codify the city’s support of the association’s application to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services for a $900,000 grant to fund the work.
“We need to fix the barns, the livestock arena and the exhibit hall. The roofs are leaking and we need new restrooms,” said association spokeswoman Gayle Hart.
The state has available grants for maintenance and improvement of agricultural education and promotion facilities and recognizes the association’s 13-acre complex near EverBank Field as such a facility, Hart said.
Jacksonville’s annual agricultural fair began in 1955 and was held at the old Gator Bowl until 1990, when the fairgrounds and expo center west of the stadium opened.
In addition to the annual 12-day agricultural fair, the center also is the site for numerous other functions such as charity events, gun shows, pet adoption events, livestock shows and job fairs.
The association also sells season parking on the site for Jacksonville Jaguars home games and daily parking for the annual Georgia-Florida college football game, TaxSlayer Bowl and other sports events at EverBank Field.
As a nonprofit, the association reported to the IRS in 2014 revenue of $1.91 million, expenses of $1.42 million and net assets of $5.5 million.
The association operates with a non-paid board of directors and reported in 2014 staff payroll expense of nearly $280,000 including salaries, benefits and other compensation.
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is the largest festival event in Northeast Florida and is ranked 47th in the U.S. by Amusement Business magazine.
Since 1955, the fair has contributed about $3.1 million to charitable and civic organizations, according to jacksonvillefair.com.
Hart said the association has not in its history accepted any city funds and this is the first time it has applied for the state grant.
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is Nov. 2-13.
(904) 356-2466