An effort to build a new expo arena at the Berrien County Youth Fair received a boost this week from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, which has awarded the youth fair a $75,000 matching grant for construction costs.

In a press release, Fair President Bruce Foster said the grant would allow the expo arena project to use tax-deductible contributions it receives over the next year to be used to match the $75,000 grant.

Once the expo arena project has raised $75,000, the Upton Foundation will match that amount.

“As we continue our fundraising efforts for phase one of the expo arena project, this matching fund challenge grant from the Upton Foundation will go a long way toward our $5 million groundbreaking goal,” Foster said.

Jack Strayer, who is doing fundraising for the project, said there are quite a few outstanding pledges for the project and that the youth fair would be selling the rights to the roof for solar installation.

“When the pledges and solar people come through, we will meet our $5 million goal,” Strayer said via email.

Phase One of the $17 million expo arena project includes a 500-stall stable and stalling area, the adjacent hospitality concourse, nine classrooms and other amenities, including restroom facilities, a cafe and the expo arena judging stands and press box.

Phase two includes the adjoining 4,000 seat main arena and a mezzanine level housing 18 classroom/skyboxes to view events. The main arena measures 240 feet, by 400 feet and will feature comfortable stadium seating. Phase two also includes the expo hospitality center with a 14,000-square foot exhibition hall. This facility will be used for conventions, home and garden shows, car and boat shows, farm implement shows, public assemblies, graduation ceremonies, wedding receptions, and proms.

Project leaders say the expo arena at the Berrien County Youth Fair will become an entertainment complex that is already drawing substantial economic development in and around the Village of Berrien Springs and Oronoko Charter Township, as well as at the fairgrounds.

Through a cooperative agreement between the two municipalities, a major water and sewer project was completed in early August of this year that is spurring development at the interchange of U.S. 31 and M-139 in Berrien Springs.