INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fair could get a little help from its friends under legislation winding its way through the Legislature.
The bill that unanimously passed the state Senate last week would allow the state fair commission to set up a foundation that could accept charitable gifts and donations.
That would make possible gifts from individual or corporate donors to pay for projects ranging from extra benches around the midway to fixing up the Pepsi Coliseum, which has a leaky roof and uses an 80-year-old ice machine for hockey games, The Indianapolis Star reported Wednesday.
State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye wants to model the foundation after one in Iowa that has raised more than $80 million since the early 1990s. That could make up for funding the fair, that draws 900,000 people each summer, lost in 2009 when state lawmakers replaced annual property tax disbursements of $2 million to $3 million with an annual $600,000 payment.
The Star said the cuts aren't expected to hurt the state fair's chances of turning a profit, but likely will make off-season maintenance and improvements to fairground facilities more difficult.
"They don't really have any way to fund those things now," state Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indindianapolis, who authored the bill that is headed for the Indiana House, said.
In years past, fair expenses have been paid for through sponsorship deals such as one with Red Gold, the tomato producer that sponsored the fair two years ago. But fair officials say that's different from accepting a tax-deductible gift from a foundation.
Hoye's idea to use the Iowa foundation, which has helped to construct new building and improve the landscape of the Iowa Fairgrounds, as a model may present a solution to some of these problems. Iowa's Blue Ribbon Foundation pursues donations from major corporate donors in the state and finds ways for smaller donors to pitch in.
"I think what you have to do is create all kinds of little programs, like buying commemorative bricks, sponsoring the trees and benches or having concert club memberships," John Putney, an Iowa farmer who started the foundation, said.
"The point is to give people from across the state the opportunity to get involved. And then their major employers will see how much the fair means to them and then you can approach them."
Hoye hopes to raise enough money to upgrade the Pepsi Coliseum and establish a scholarship fund for 4-H youth who do well with projects.
"One of the most important things we do is showcase agriculture and education through the 4-H programs and the FFA," Hoye told the Star. "We want to do more to recognize all those accomplishments."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
