Fairboard covers capital budget projects

Under the Capital Budget projects heading, the Harrison County Fair Board covered several topics at its Dec. 1 meeting, including updated estimates for work on the 4-H building and other improvements, according to Agricultural Society Board President Rich Eberhart.

“Everything’s coming way over budget,” Eberhart said. “But that’s not unexpected from the time of filing for grants and until now, getting stuff done.”

Eberhart said an estimate for extensive electrical work totaled about $85,000. Another estimate for additional work was around $167,000 and did not include block work or plumbing, meaning no interior bathroom work would be completed by that group. He said the fencing and electrical work are on budget “give or take.”

Eberhart also requested an addition to the 4-H building from one company to accommodate office space. “So that 4-H literally would have an office of their own,” he said, noting the estimate for that work came to $70,000.

He expressed frustration with some contractors who had not responded to his requests for bathroom project estimates. He said he contacted the company that completed work for Belmont County but had not yet heard back. Another company submitted an estimate of $500,000, the same figure it quoted for a different project, leading Eberhart to believe the company was not seriously pursuing the work.

For the exterior of the building, Eberhart said he borrowed design ideas from the Canfield Fair, including a garage door in the front and entry doors to each restroom and utility area. He said J&M submitted an estimate of $264,065 for “everything full,” including drawings and state plans.

Treasurer Kevin Willoughby reported that of the $700,000 grant awarded two years ago for capital improvements, $603,000 remains and must be spent by fall 2026. When Eberhart said he hoped to “do it all” regarding the 4-H building, Willoughby noted they were looking at a total of $437,000 to bring the project to completion.