Date:

April 3, 2008

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Mayor Chris Beutler said the Legislature’s first round approval of a bill to move the State Fair to Grand Island and make the current fairgrounds available to the University of Nebraska takes Lincoln one step closer to securing its economic future with Innovation Park.

“It is a victory not only for Lincoln, but for the entire State of Nebraska,” said Beutler. “This opportunity to transfer research to the marketplace through partnerships with private companies will offer the high-paying jobs we need to grow our economy.

“Yes, we are disappointed that the Innovation Park may come at the cost of the State Fair. We have no doubt that Lincoln offers the Fair the best opportunity for a bright future. The City and its partners worked hard to find the Fair Board an alternative site here in Lincoln, but the Board simply was not interested.

“The Governor, the Agriculture Committee and now the entire Legislature have spoken. We appreciate their work on this difficult issue, and we thank our Lincoln delegation for their efforts on the floor today.”