The Adair County Fair Association just got some help in building up the new fairgrounds with a $50,000 grant from T-Mobile.
T-Mobile announced on Wednesday that Columbia was one of 25 small towns to win one of its “Hometown Grants” that are meant to help jumpstart vital community development projects.
The city’s grant money will go toward building a multi-use arena on the Adair County Fairgrounds to host community and student 4-H agricultural education events.
The building’s primary purpose will eventually be as the agriculture barn and agriculture arena.
“We are extremely excited for the prospect of development that this grant from T-Mobile brings to the local Adair County Fair Association,” Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots said.
The Adair Jaycees hope to be using the new fairgrounds, which are located on Industrial Park Drive, by next year.
Several Jaycees were in attendance on Wednesday to accept a check from T-Mobile that they hope will be just the first piece of the puzzle to help their vision become a reality.
“All well done to everyone in the Jaycees,” said Mark Dykes, the Columbia/Adair County Economic Development vice president. “You’re doing a great job with the property. This [doesn’t] happen by accident. It takes work.”
Launched in April 2021, T-Mobile Hometown Grants is a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow by providing funding to kickstart important new community development projects.
Since the program’s start, T-Mobile has given more than $4.4 million dollars to kickstart 100 community development projects across 36 states, including Adair County. Hometown Grants are provided every quarter to up to 25 towns.
