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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 23, 2005 Big shows inch Expo closer to financial solvency By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune An infusion of cash generated by its new amphitheater has put the Fairgrounds and Exposition Center within range of its goal of financial independence from Jackson County. "We’re getting real close and we’re going to be turning the corner very shortly," said fair board member Bob Johnson. The Expo netted about $100,000 from five shows last summer, including opener Steve Miller Band and ZZ Top, according to Expo Director Chris Borovansky. It costs about $2 million annually to run the Expo. This year Borovansky said he expects to have generated $1.9 million through events compared to $1.8 million last year, making up the difference from the county’s general fund. The Expo, like other county departments, is concerned about the potential loss in federal timber money in 2007, which amounts to $24 million annually. Advertisement County commissioners have put all departments on notice to expect dramatic cuts in staff and services if those dollars dry up. "If all funding went away, we’d make it as a stand-alone entity," Borovansky said. While he didn’t think the general public would notice much difference in service, he said, "We will have to tighten our belts. There will be tradeoffs." Borovansky said the Expo has held the line at raising prices for events, trying to stay competitive with other facilities throughout the state. The fair also offers up to $200,000 in free services to area youth, providing facilities for horse clubs, Future Farmers of America and 4-H. Borovansky is hoping to schedule more acts at the amphitheater, but said the lineup hasn’t been set yet. "The amphitheater is the linchpin in our financial plans," said Borovansky. The Jackson County fair board had borrowed $1.7 million from the county to finish building the amphitheater, but repayment of the money will not come out of the Expo’s revenues. Former County Counsel Steve Rinkle, who recently took a job with Pacific Retirement Services Inc., said that according to state statutes, Expo revenues can’t be used to repay that money. The money was given to the fair board as a grant, meaning there is no legal obligation to repay it, he said. However, Rinkle said, the county believes the fair board has a moral obligation to repay the grant in the future. Commissioner Jack Walker said he expects the county will be paid back. "I was assured that, yes, their intention was to repay that amount of money," he said. Johnson said, "As a board member I felt all along that we felt that was an obligation to repay down in the future." He said the Expo will explore other ways to generate more income in the future, noting the operation runs on very few staff members. "We have six full-time people running a $2 million business," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Big shows inch Expo closer to financial solvency ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s