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Members of the County Fair Board have reportedly declined an offer from an area business person to purchase fairground land in Rush City.  The county agriculture society heard the acquisition  proposal at their regular May meeting (story in Press May 25) from Dennis Frandsen.  He offered $1 million and any existing buildings (barns, pole buildings) that the ag society wished to retain and relocate would not be part of the purchase price.

Frandsen explained he envisioned the site would be redeveloped into tax generating uses by the City of Rush City, as he plans to present the property to the city.  He explained the offer would not be pursued until next year so as not to complicate this season’s fair events and shows schedule.

The county property tax records, available on the website,  has four parcels of tax exempt land under ownership of the Ag Society, with an assessed value of about $842,000.

Fair Board member Jen Penzenstadler told the Press the Board voted, after the meeting where the offer was presented, to decline selling the fairgrounds.  Penzenstadler stated, the ag society and countless volunteers will continue this historical tradition  in Rush City.   The Chisago County Fair runs July 20-23. 

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