Grand Island city leaders may have found a path forward to help keep livestock shows at Fonner Park.
The city council is now considering using LB840 economic development funds to support those events. LB840 is typically used for business growth.
Under a proposal on Tuesday’s agenda, a newly formed nonprofit known as Grand Island Expo Events and Livestock would take over organizing shows and could receive up to $600,000 in forgivable loans over two years.
Those funds would be tied to actually hosting livestock shows, with payments distributed incrementally.
According to a memo to the council, the move fits within LB840 guidelines because livestock shows are considered tourism-driven economic activity, bringing millions of dollars into the local economy.
The proposal comes as the previous organization that helped run those events is being dissolved. The Grand Island Livestock Complex Authority would be replaced by Grand Island Expo and Events Livestock, Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of Fonner Park.
Fonner Park has cited funding as a concern, saying livestock events are unsustainable without new revenue.
If approved, the funding would serve as a potential bridge — as city, county and state leaders continue working toward a longer-term solution.
The city council is expected to take action on the proposal Tuesday night.
