Clay Township Advisory Board announces $100,000 contribution to Cass County 4-H Association
Last Updated on December 15, 2019 by cassnetwork
The Clay Township Advisory Board is returning some of their savings.
“After careful review and consideration we are granting a one time capitol expenditure to our Cass County 4-H board and youth programs: a $100,000 check to help make the badly-needed restrooms and locker project a reality,” the Board said.
“With this commitment, along with our Cass County Community Foundation’s efforts, we felt this was an important project in many ways,” said Clay Township Trustee Jennifer Nies.
Clay Township Advisory Board members Nate McClain, John Carson and Tom Weatherwax all agreed.
“This is one of best usages of the Clay Township tax payers funds, that could be used for a county wide benefit but to have this used in our Clay Township actual district makes sense.”
The project will result in ADA-compliant restrooms that will include showers, locker rooms and dressing facilities, as well as a family restroom area. The building will also be able to serve as an emergency storm shelter.
“These funds were accumulated over many years,” Weatherwax said. “These are capitol fund dollars which we have saved, and this is a one-time expenditure and project. We still have sufficient operating funds for our future needs as a township. This action stemmed from recent General Assembly legislation which passed last year, that required all townships to divest of capital funds totaling over $200,000. Our actions meet that threshold and still affords us sufficient operation dollars for our township needs. It is our sincere hope that this commitment from our Clay Township Board will enable the Cass County 4-H to complete their fundraising by next year.”
Board members McClain and Carson both thought using the dollars for future youth activities was important and for our economic usages of the 4H fair grounds.
One of the goals is to continue to attract large livestock events and shows to use the facilities at the Cass County 4-H Fairgrounds year round.
“Agriculture is key to our entire region and this allows our county to attract big events for that purpose,” the Clay Township Advisory board said in a news release.
Nies, Carson and Weatherwax presented the check to members of the Cass County 4-H Fair Board on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
The 4-H Fair Association’s goal is to raise a total of $250,000 for the project. Anyone interested in contributing to the project can contact the Cass County Purdue Extension Office at 574-753-7750.