by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The 2013 Matching Funds Grant Program will provide financial assistance to 23 fairs and horsemen’s groups to help fund promotional events, items and advertising for county fair harness racing.

Nearly $20,000 in monetary support will be distributed to groups in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The list of groups that were awarded funding for the 2013 racing season include:

Barry County Fair (Hastings, MI)
Bedford County Fair (Bedford, PA)
Darke County Agricultural Society (Greenville, OH)
Dayton Horsemen (Dayton, PA)
Defiance County Area Horsemen (Northwest Ohio fairs)
Edwards County Fair (Albion, IL)
Erie County Fair (Wattsburg, PA)
Fowlerville Harness Horsemen (Fowlerville, MI)
Gogebic County Fair (Ironwood, MI)
Juniata County Agricultural Society (Port Royal, PA)
Keokuk County Fair (Sigourney, IA)
Mahoning County Agricultural Society (Canfield, OH)
Meigs County Agricultural Society (Pomeroy, OH)
Mercer County Fair (Celina, OH)
Midland County Fair (Midland, MI)
Minnesota Harness Racing Inc. (all Minnesota fairs)
Mississippi Trotting Association (Jackson, MS)
Muskingum County Fair (Zanesville, OH)
Ottawa County Fair (Holland, MI)
Pickaway County Fair (Circleville, OH)
Richland County Fair (Richland Center, WI)
St. Joseph County Grange Fair (Centreville, MI)
The Dayton Agricultural & Mechanical Association (Dayton, PA)
Wisconsin Harness Horse Association (all Wisconsin fairs)

The Matching Funds Grant Program was started at the USTA for the 2006 racing season, with a budget of $10,000. The program’s funding has since doubled and provides assistance to those working to encourage attendance at, and participation in, county fair harness racing.

For a complete listing of fairs that have earned grants throughout the years, visit this page.