Grant will upgrade handicap access at county fairgrounds

Flathead County has been awarded a $150,469 grant to create better handicap access at the county fairgrounds.

The funding through the Community Development Block Grant public facilities program will be used to upgrade the fairgrounds’ two main restrooms, the food court area and the south grandstand entrance to make them compliant with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act.

The city of Kalispell sponsored the county’s application, and grant funding will be processed through the city, according to county Administrator Mike Pence.

Pence said he will be working with Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson and city officials to begin going through the startup and environmental requirements that need to be completed prior to signing a contract with the block grant program.