Tulare County Fairgrounds will get $11 million boost

The Tulare County Fairgrounds received a significant boost with a $11 million grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the Fairgrounds Resilience Centers Program. 

This funding is part of a larger $89 million grant pool aimed at supporting communities during disasters, such as evacuations due to flooding.

The grant will be used to enhance the Tulare County Fairgrounds' emergency preparedness by upgrading an existing building and demolishing and reconstructing two other buildings on the site. These upgrades are intended to provide emergency sheltering, kitchen and sanitation facilities, showers, and other improvements to protect and comfort people and families in times of need.

These improvements will also benefit the community outside of emergencies. The fairgrounds are envisioned to serve as year-round hubs of community engagement, hosting civic, social, educational, and economic development activities. Some potential uses include business incubation centers, satellite college campus facilities, and telemedicine centers, all contributing to the growth of local communities.