Indiana county, 4-H leaders at odds over $18M fairgrounds

GREENFIELD, Ind. (AP) - Leaders of a central Indiana county and the local 4-H group are at odds over who should control a proposed $18 million project for a new county fairgrounds.

Plans call for the Hancock County 4-H Agricultural Association to handle operating expenses under a 50-year lease of the county-owned site along U.S. 40 just east of Greenfield. The county would pay about $12 million toward building the fairgrounds, with the 4-H group expected to raise $6 million.

The association's president says it is focused on creating a quality fairgrounds without burdening taxpayers. But the (Greenfield) Daily Reporter reports (http://bit.ly/2dkOcUk ) County Commissioner Brad Armstrong said elected officials must keep oversight of taxpayer money.

Plans for the new fairgrounds include a large livestock show arena with three barns attached and a multi-purpose building.

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Information from: (Greenfield) Daily Reporter, http://www.greenfieldreporter.com