A proposal to move the State Fair to Grand Island now awaits the signature of Gov. Dave Heineman. Lawmakers gave final round approval on Wednesday to a bill (LB1116) that calls for the fair to move to Grand Island by 2010. That would let the current fairgrounds in Lincoln become home to a mix of public and private research facilities that will be overseen by the University of Nebraska. Supporters say it will spur job growth.
The move to Grand Island would cost about $42 million. About half the money would come from the University of Nebraska, which plans to develop the research park. The city of Grand Island would pitch in more than $8 million, the State Fair board $7 million, and the state $5 million.