Regional Chamber honors Canfield Fair for community service

The fair is a positive image for the Mahoning Valley, a chamber official said.

STAFF REPORT

CANFIELD — The Mahoning County Agricultural Society is being recognized for its 163 years of service to the community.

Judge Jim Evans, Mahoning County Fair Board president, accepted the 2008 Canfield Business Pride Award from the Regional Chamber on Friday morning on behalf of the agricultural society.

“I think that the chamber wanted to recognize what we have brought into the community,” he said.

“The fair brings millions of people in during the fair itself, let alone during all the weekend events we do throughout the year.”

Judge Evans said it makes the board proud to know the Canfield Fair has grown from a “handshake business operation” into something much more substantial.

Helen Paes, vice president of public relations and external alliances for the chamber, said this year’s payroll was about $800,000.

She said the Canfield Fair was chosen for this year’s award because of what it does for the local economy year-in and year-out.

“They were chosen really because of all they do to contribute to the quality of life in Canfield, and also the entire county and Mahoning Valley,” she said.

“They continue to make improvements at the fairgrounds.”

Paes said utilization of the fairgrounds, as well as the fair itself, promotes a positive image for the area and brings in people from all over the country.

“The Mahoning County Agricultural Society it is a nonprofit organization, but it runs like a business,” she said.

“It really puts so much quality of life in the community when it brings people in because it brings in money to retailers and rest stations and other businesses.”

Paes said to qualify for the award, a business, either full or nonprofit, must be nominated. This year, the chamber received four nominations.