Robbinsville – Plans to roll out a local agricultural/event center made great strides last week.
The Graham County Cooperative Extension announced Sept. 18 that $398,029 had been secured in grant funding from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which will be appropriated specifically for the construction of an agricultural facility that will be utilized for multipurpose events.
The proposed site of the center is off P & J Road in the Tallulah community, adjacent to the Graham County Recreation Department. Funding will be distributed over a two-year period, according to a press release from the Graham County Co-Op.
"This investment is a recognition of the important role Cooperative Extension plays in building stronger communities and a stronger agricultural economy across North Carolina," said Graham County Extension Director Randy Collins. "We are grateful to NCDA for their support and partnership in helping us meet the needs of our community."
At Sept. 16's board of commissioners meeting, Graham County Extension Agent Nikki Stewart gave a 13-minute presentation concerning the vision of the center.
"The whole idea behind the center is preserving our heritage,” Stewart said. “Our county was founded on farming, so I think it's important that we preserve that heritage."
Stewart said that Graham County Travel & Tourism recently agreed to purchase arena panels for the center, which is currently estimated to cost $1,140,800 to build at a size of 180-by-200-feet. The current plans also call for a 24-by-30-foot announcer booth, a concession stand, restrooms and a storage area.
She also stipulated that the premise is to build the facility using only grant funds.
"We are not looking to use taxpayer money to fund this ag/event center," Stewart stated.
July's 4-H Spurs and Burrs Rodeo brought over 1,700 spectators to Graham County during its Fourth of July weekend stint. The event was held on the future home of the agricultural center and Stewart told the board that the Great American Rodeo Company (which hosts International Pro Rodeo Association events) was booked to present another show Friday-Saturday, Oct. 24-25.
"I think this project has moved from an idea to a possibility," said Stewart.