COLUMBUS — Work on the Ohio Showcase Building and a new agriculture building is underway at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds.
Gov. Mike DeWine and others with the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds broke ground earlier this month.
The Expo 2050 plan was first announced in 2022.
“There is so much to enjoy at the Ohio State Fair, and the enhancements to these spectacular fairgrounds will make the experience even better,” DeWine said in a release.
The Ohio Showcase Building will include a food hall housing six vendors. The state said these vendors will offer regional dishes from throughout Ohio.
The new agriculture building will house exhibits including the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Land & Living Exhibit. Ohio’s agricultural commodity groups will also serve meals inside the new Taste of Ohio Café.
"The most visible project is the State Fair itself, but it really is an expo show-place all year long," agriculture expert Andy Vance said.
The event space also hosts the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the Ohio Beef Expo among other events.
"These new buildings will really position the grounds well for being able to serve the community in all those different ways for the next 150 years," Vance said.
Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds Executive Director Adam Heffron, Ohio Expositions Commission Chair Angela Krile, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik and Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks also participated in the groundbreaking.
The Ohio Showcase Building is set to be completed in 2026.
If you have an idea for the Ag Report, a question for Chuck and Andy or you’d like to send a photo of your farm and the work you do, email charles.ringwalt@charter.com.