Ohio Groups Propose Expo Center Modernization

Nine agriculture organizations have sent Gov. Mike DeWine a plan to upgrade the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair while keeping them in place.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Organic Food

Ohio Groups Propose Expo Center Modernization

Live Poll

Should Ohio use state funds to upgrade the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair?

Nine Ohio agriculture groups submitted proposals to modernize the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, seeking to preserve the current location and footprint. The proposals were sent to Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Expo and State Fair Commission, and the Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force.

Why it matters

The proposals aim to generate sustainable funding for the Expo Center and State Fair and keep the fair accessible in Columbus. The recommendations reflect input from groups with a stake in the facility's future as state leaders plan its long-term direction.

Nine major Ohio agriculture groups signed on to the proposals, which call for a multiyear state funding measure and a pricing study to keep the Expo Center competitive. No dollar amounts for either request appear in the source material.

The players

Gov. Mike DeWine

Ohio's governor, who created the Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force to develop a long-term vision for the Expo Center and received the proposals.

Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force

A state body created by Gov. Mike DeWine to develop a long-term vision for the Ohio Expo Center.

The details

The guidelines call for upgrading facilities to maximize earned revenue, address land use and optimization, and improve the experience for youth and the public. The groups suggested the General Assembly include a multiyear funding measure in the state budget for facilities, grounds, and infrastructure.

Article on the proposals was published November 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The proposals arrive as the Ohio Expo 2050 Task Force works toward a long-term vision for the Expo Center. Their focus on keeping the fair in its current Columbus location shapes how the state weighs future investment against the facility's historical role.

Columbus residents who attend the State Fair could see changes to the grounds and facilities if the proposed funding measure is passed. The recommendation to keep the fair in its current location means the event would remain easily accessible to city visitors.

The takeaway

Stakeholders across agriculture are asking for a stable funding path and competitive pricing for the Expo Center, which could influence how Ohioans experience the State Fair in the years ahead.