Plans to revitalize the Morrill County Fairgrounds got a significant boost as Nebraska Bank donated $10,000 to support the ambitious building project.

On Friday, the donation was presented to the Morrill County Building Champions committee, the group leading efforts to fund and oversee the replacement of key fairground facilities. The project includes constructing a new exhibit hall and a modern multi-species barn, both seen as much-needed upgrades to serve future generations of 4-H and FFA participants, livestock exhibitors, and community members.

The Building Champions committee has been steadily fundraising for the past several years, reaching key milestones with support from local donors, businesses, and community leaders.

During a previous donation event held in November, committee member Lewis Coulter highlighted the impressive community support the project has received.

“At that point, we had closed to $1.4 million donated,” Coulter said. “But with changing construction costs, we were unsure of the total amount of funding needed before ground could be broken.”

Rising prices for materials and labor have posed a consistent challenge for rural infrastructure projects across the country, and Morrill County is no exception. However, donations like the one from Nebraska Bank help keep momentum going and bring the committee closer to breaking ground.

The planned multi-species barn will provide updated facilities for showcasing animals, replacing aging structures that no longer meet current standards. The new exhibit hall will offer space for a variety of fair activities, educational events, and community gatherings year-round.

Nebraska Bank representatives said their donation reflects a continued commitment to investing in local communities and supporting youth programs.

While a groundbreaking date has not yet been confirmed, the Building Champions committee remains optimistic that, with continued fundraising success, construction could begin in the near future.

For now, the donation from Nebraska Bank marks a positive step forward in bringing a long-anticipated project to life—one that will benefit the Morrill County community for decades to come.

Originally reported by Scott Miller in Rural Radio.