MEMPHIS, TN --- On Monday, the Shelby County Commission voted to award an $85,000 Community Enhancement Grant to Agricenter International for a capital improvement project to install steps at ShowPlace Arena and finish paving the parking lot.

Agricenter International, a non-profit dedicated to agricultural research, education, and conservation gives a special thanks to grant sponsors Chairman Heidi Shafer, Commissioners Terry Roland, David Reaves, and George Chism.

Chairman Shafer stated, “Agricenter is dear to my heart and this project is a good common sense physical project that will help draw in more tourist dollars. I want to thank my fellow Commissioners for allowing me to dedicate a portion of District 5's grant money so all citizens can enjoy it.” 

ShowPlace Arena, run by Agricenter International, averages 212 event days and draws more than 200,000 visitors annually. Equestrian shows, fairs, circuses, and rodeos all use the arena. With the modular flooring, the arena is also ideal for trade shows, concerts, and graduations.

John Butler, President of Agricenter International stated, “We are pleased to receive this grant from the Shelby County Commission and look forward to installing these much-needed improvements to our campus.” 

Agricenter International, the education, agribusiness, research and agricultural hub of the Mid-South has a $524 million annual economic impact on the region, hosts over 1.3 million visitors annually, and has educated tens of thousands of students. For more information visit www.agricenter.org or call 901-757-7777.