Release Date: Jun. 23, 2010

Fair Board and Holmes Chamber Seek Commissioners' Approval

PRESS RELEASE

Date:   June 17, 2010                                                  Contact: Shasta Mast, 330-674-3975

Fair Board and Holmes Chamber Seek Commissioners’ Approval

for Expo Center Board Creation

Millersburg, OH  — Kerry Taylor, president of the Holmes County Agricultural Society, and Shasta Mast, executive director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, today presented to the Commissioners draft bylaws creating the Holmes County Exposition & Agricultural Center (HCEC) Board.

The bylaws would govern a private, non-profit organization designed to oversee the development and operations of the future Expo Center. As discussion and planning continue to relocate the Holmes County Fairgrounds on land west of Millersburg out of the flood plain, the next step is to create this Board to develop an Expo Center on the same campus.

“Creating this Board in no way usurps the power of the Ag Society,” Taylor said. “In fact, the society’s president will always serve on the Board and we’ll also appoint three of the 15 members to the Expo Center Board.”

According to the proposal, the HCEC would comprise:

·         The President of the Holmes County Agricultural Society;

·         The Executive Director of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau;

·         The Executive Director of Historic Downtown Millersburg;

·         The President of Berlin Main St. Merchants;

·         The Village of Millersburg Administrator;

·         A Holmes County Commissioner;

·         Three members appointed by the Holmes County Commissioners, one of whom will be a township trustee;

·         Three members appointed by the Holmes County Agricultural Society Board;

·         Three members appointed by the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Board.

The purpose of the HCEC is to construct and operate a multipurpose exposition, agricultural and educational center for Holmes County and northeastern Ohio residents by combining adult and youth educational service, agricultural-related events, recreational events and commercial events. In addition, the HCEC will capitalize on the appeal of Amish Country as a tourism destination to attract regional and national event of all sizes to positively impact the economy of our region.

“We already know there’s a need for such a facility in Holmes County. With events such as the Great Outdoors Sportsmen’s Show and the Ohio Hardwood Furniture Market annually searching for venues, we simply can’t overlook this opportunity to work with the Ag Society and develop a multi-purpose facility,” Mast said.

“Once the HCEC Board is in place we can work together to devise a plan to pursue funding and design,” she added.