(JACKSON, MN) — Federated Rural Electric, Jackson, recently presented a donation totaling $7,500 to both the Jackson County Fair Board and the Martin County Fair Board.
Federated took advantage of matching funds from two organizations to triple the impact. “Federated donated $2,500, then secured matching funds from CoBank’s Sharing Success Program and Basin Electric Cooperative,” stated Federated’s General Manager Scott Reimer. “Cooperatives are concerned about their local communities; we saw this as a way to help each organization with improvements and maintenance at their county fairgrounds. The Covid pandemic impacted fairs as they were either downsized or cancelled, yet aging buildings still require ongoing maintenance or improvements. We also appreciated using the fair grounds for our pandemic drive-in annual meetings and wanted to return a favor.”
CoBank is one entity that provides Federated long-term financing for line construction projects, while Basin Electric is one of Federated’s wholesale power providers.
The Jackson County Fairgrounds will use the funding for building maintenance. “Olson Pavilion needs new skirting around the base of the building to keep rodents and water out, as the wood is deteriorating,” said Terri Bargfrede, Jackson County Fair Board treasurer. “New large doors on this building are on the wish list too. We appreciate this support from Federated!”
The Martin County Fair has one main goal for the funding. According to the Fair Board President Robbin Celander, “We want to upgrade the outdoor lighting by the horse barn to LEDs, along with adding LED lighting in some of the darker areas of the fairgrounds. This will improve safety and security for our fairgoers. Thank you Federated!”
Federated is a Touchstone Energy cooperative serving 6,800 members in Jackson and Martin Counties.