Grandstand plan gets $1.4 million

A project to replace the grandstand at the Palouse Empire Fairground received a big boost Jan. 7 when Whitman County Commissioners pledged $1.4 million for the project at a meeting with fair board members and support groups.

The funds will come from the county's .09 sales tax revenue.

Replacing the grandstand this year has become the focus of the Palouse Empire Fair Foundation which has been responsible for major improvement to the fairground for several years.

Members of the foundation, fair board, Palouse Empire Rodeo Association and Fair Association attended the presentation.

Fair Manager Janel Goebel said the fair foundation and other groups are still in the process of planning the size and type grandstand which will be built, but she noted the $1.4 million rates as a giant boost toward the project goal.