The fairgrounds are not owned by 4-H - yet this group is demanding that the County provide them with new and improved? For one week out of every year? People. 30,000+ acres of farmland are being lost to development in Wisconsin every year. When fuel prices are 8.00 per gallon, and it costs too much to truck in food from other states/countrys (not to mention we don't know what pesticides they are using) where do you expect to get your next meal? This isn't about us, this is about preserving this property for the needs of your kids and grandkids. Is your right to a larger fairground more important? Do some research.

Stop and think people! Where the fairgrounds is right now used to be farm land.

Well, I like the existing County Farm as a location, but I'm glad the committee looked at other options as well. The ultimate point is to get the process to a decision at some point before we spent $millions on upgrading something at the 18.5-acre landlocked site we are presently stuck with.
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I think any site in Rock County would "take away" farmland -- unless this is what the city plans to do with the GM site in 10 or 15 years! We have to be realistic. Much of that farmland eventually goes for commercial or residential development no matter what we do with the fairgrounds. Unless we enact a Portland-style smart growth plan for Janesville, preventing the city from growing out at all, and you know that is not happening. Not even Madison can get that kind of restriction.

Place the fair grounds where it has always been slated to be placed for yrs! The county property belongs to the people of the county. Just because it's worth millions of $$$ doesn't mean it should be sold! This county has needed a new venue for years! Get on with it! Stop listening to those who would take for profit what is not theirs for the taking! Seems to me its like the last dog and pony show presented to the people! Millionaires suggesting the people pay so they can gain! Enough with the BS, the fair grounds belongs on that property now get it there.

I think BalancePoint should write longer comments and use bigger words. The point many seem to be missing is that the board cannot improve the present location when it's the size of a postage stamp. Don't think about building up when the neighbors won't even let you locate a simple cell phone tower there. That being said, I don't agree with relocating on a location blessed with 'Rock County Gold' soil either! It's always seemed to me that there are numerous vacant locations along Hwy 51 between Beloit and Janesville that fit that description.

I think that BalancePoint is right. Why is it necessary to expand anyways? The fair activities should be improved before expanding it, and prime farmland is NOT the place to do it!

Does anyone else get the feeling the county board has not read their own Hurtado Report, and it sure appears that the county board is deaf to the many fine posts on the "gold mine" thread.

I think people forget that the fair is not just for the Janesville residents. It is for the county. not just Janesville residents participate.Therefore i don't think the present location is fair

pizzaman: The Thresheree park is privately owned. It makes plenty on it's own to keep it going. The fair also needs to have it's own buildings. I think that the county farm would be the best why pay anymore money on land. Does anyone know if any of the current buildings could be moved? I think they can but I don't know

Using prime farmland for anything but farming is irresponsible. The County Board should not allow it to be rezoned from AG.

There are only three places on earth that have the very rich "moli-soil" that we have in Rock County - an area in Brazil and another in Russia. We live on the Terminal Morraine - where the glaciers stopped and dropped their sediment - creating the richest farmland in the world.

With expotential growth of the population, and the need to feed everyone, (better yet to grow locally) this farmland should remain just that. We have enough development in and around our city - how about people moving back into town, revitalizing the older neighborhoods, and being able to walk instead of using a car? Sprawl is a huge problem, and the farmland should not be lost because people think they need a big, new home, or a new fairgrounds for a once per year event.

Farmland in Wisconsin is being lost at alarming rates. Do some research, and you will agree.
The Fair Grounds is just fine where it is. It is accessible to residents BECAUSE it is in the City. If they move it out of town, then we are only furthering our need to use cars. No parking at the current site? Walk, bike or bus. Too small for you? Lower your expectations. Bigger is not always better.

Our Society, including City, County and State Government had better perk up and get on the band wagon. Americans are wasteful, greedy
people. We create more pollution and use more resources - all because we think it is our "right". This attitude has got to change if we are to maintain our ecosystems for future generations.

I like site 1, option 3. It's far enough from hwy 14 that it won't conflict with prime commercial space, yet close to the interstate. Better yet, it's on the north side of town where the hwy 26 and hwy 14 exits will be utilized thereby drawing additional business to Janesville's most commercialized areas.

I was disappointed when the first deal feel though where the park would have been right off the interstate. Also the idea of multi functions other then just a fairgrounds. Just think of the revenue this county and city could have captured every year for the next 50 years. Now no money is coming to this area but going over to Walworth county. I was sorry to see our fearless leaders didn't have this insight to help promote this area. Top figures in the area saw this and this is why they wanted to get behind this park only to be shot down in the end. Maybe the county needs new business leaders on the board and not bunch of old over the hill who can not see beyond there nose.

I think they should move it to Walworth county. That was where the last good fair I went to.

Ok the county already owns the county farm property so why would they want to SPEND taxpayer money on property? It's going to cost enough just to move it so don't spend unnecessary money on land when the county already has it.