The Box Butte County Fairgrounds received a huge shot in the arm Friday as the Peter Kiewit Foundation awarded the fair's "Raise the Roof" committee a $40,000 matching grant.
Joni Jespersen of Hemingford, a member of the Raise the Roof committee, says the new money brings the amount of funds raised to roughly $100,000. The goal is $400,000.
The Box Butte Agriculture Society is still waiting on word as to whether a U.S.D.A. loan to finance the facility will be approved.
Jespersen says it looks promising that the old facility, which is three wooden barns that house cattle, sheep, goats, and swine during the fair each August, will be torn down and the new structure -- a 210 feet by 120 feet metal building -- will be in place for the 2012 fair.
The Raise the Roof Committee will hold more fundraisers after the first of the year.
All monetary donations may still be sent to the extension office in Alliance. Checks should be written to "Raise the Roof."
