Building Renovations at IL State Fair
Contact:
Nora Nolden, Communications Consultant
[email protected] or (651) 245-6804
Compeer Financial Supporting Building Renovations at IL State Fair
The cooperative has committed $140,000 to renovate two Series 25 buildings
Bloomington, Ill. (August 17, 2021) – On Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair, Compeer Financial has announced plans to support the renovation of two more Series 25 buildings at the fairgrounds. In total, the organization has committed $320,000 to restore five livestock buildings at the fair, including the Hall of Champions.
Compeer was the first corporate investor to partner with the Illinois Fairground Foundation for Series 25 building restorations in 2019, supporting one building renovation per year through 2021. The organization will continue this support, giving $70,000 in 2022 and 2023 to renovate two more buildings.
“We can’t think of a better way to express our commitment to our rural and agricultural communities than by supporting the Illinois State Fair through our corporate giving program, the Fund for Rural America,” said John Monson, chief mission and marketing officer at Compeer Financial. “State fairs are an important way to showcase the agriculture industry and we are proud to share that story with the state of Illinois, providing children and their families with opportunities to explore all the industry has to offer.”
The barns in Series 25 buildings are almost 100 years old. Built with wooden frames and asphalt-shingled roofs, these brick barns all need upgrades to continue to serve livestock exhibitors for years to come. Compeer’s contribution will go toward tuckpointing, painting and improvements to lighting and ventilation in the buildings.
“It is spectacular to learn of Compeer’s commitment to support two more 25 series buildings,” said John Slayton of the Illinois Fairground Foundation. “These livestock buildings are the heart of the grounds. We continue to look for generous donors who want to make a different at the fair and support building renovations, and hope others can follow Compeer’s lead.”
About the Fund for Rural America
The Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America is the corporate giving program of Compeer Financial, structured to support Compeer Financial’s mission to enrich agriculture and rural America. Compeer Financial’s Board of Directors has dedicated one percent of annual net earnings to support the Fund’s focus areas of agricultural advocacy and development, agriculture education, cooperative initiatives, rural development and community enrichment; and youth engagement. The Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees, made up of team members from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin and members of the Compeer Financial Board of Directors. More information about opportunities available through the Fund can be found at Compeer.com/giving-back.
About Compeer Financial
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $25.5 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.
Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Learn more about Compeer Financial.
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