Butte County Supervisors Approve Funds for Fair Office Renovations

The $6,500 allocation will help the Butte County Fair complete upgrades to its administration building in Gridley.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The Butte County Board of Supervisors has approved $6,500 in District 4 Priorities Funds to help the Butte County Fair complete renovations to its administration office in Gridley. The funding will allow the fair to replace water-damaged ceiling panels, rewire outdated Ethernet and phone lines, and install recessed lighting to improve safety and create a more professional and welcoming environment for the public, vendors, partners, and event participants.

Why it matters

The Butte County Fairgrounds serves residents countywide and hosts year-round events, livestock activities, community meetings, and the annual fair. Like many rural fairgrounds, the facilities require ongoing maintenance to remain safe and functional. This funding will help the fair upgrade its administrative offices to better serve the community.

The details

The request for funding was made by Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue, who represents the Gridley area, following a formal application submitted by Fair CEO Matt Reed. The application outlined the next phase of the renovation project, which includes replacing water-damaged and mold-affected ceiling panels, rewiring outdated Ethernet and phone lines, and installing recessed lighting to improve safety and operational efficiency.

  • The Butte County Board of Supervisors approved the $6,500 in funding on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
  • The fair will submit a final report once the project is complete.

The players

Butte County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Butte County, California, responsible for approving the funding for the Butte County Fair's office renovations.

Tod Kimmelshue

The Butte County Supervisor representing the Gridley area, who requested the $6,500 allocation for the fair's renovation project.

Matt Reed

The CEO of the Butte County Fair, who submitted the formal application outlining the next phase of the renovation project.

Butte County Fair

The organization that manages the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, California, and hosts year-round events, livestock activities, community meetings, and the annual fair.

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What they’re saying

“This phase will also include rewiring Ethernet and phone cables and installing recessed lighting to improve safety and prevent staff from hitting low-hanging fixtures.”

— Matt Reed, CEO, Butte County Fair

What’s next

The fair will submit a final report once the project is complete, ensuring transparency and accountability for the use of the county funds.

The takeaway

This funding will help the Butte County Fair, a vital community resource, upgrade its administrative offices to better serve the public, vendors, partners, and event participants. It highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and investment in rural fairgrounds to keep them safe, functional, and welcoming for the entire county.