LOWVILLE — The Lewis County Agricultural Society has been awarded $100,000 in state funding for improvements at the county fairgrounds.

Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, on Tuesday morning announced the award at the opening ceremonies for the 188th Lewis County Fair.

"The Lewis County Fair is a great celebration of community, heritage and progress," he said. "Thanks to this funding, which adds to funding I helped secure in 2006, Lewis County's outstanding regional event will continue for years into the future."

Mr. Griffo in November 2006, while just a Senate candidate, and Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, announced $100,000 in state funding toward the agricultural society's renovation of its 130-year-old grandstand. The five-year, $500,000 grandstand project was completed last summer.

Ms. Scozzafava supported the effort to secure the new funding, Mr. Griffo said. The grant, administered through the state Dormitory Authority, will likely be used to replace storm and sanitary sewer systems, add restrooms and develop a connection between the fairgrounds and Maple Ridge Center, said Dr. Harry P. O'Connor, the agricultural society's president.

The Pratt-Northam Foundation announced last fall that it was turning most of Maple Ridge Center, the former Kenneth Seeber horse farm on East Road, over to the society and the Adirondack Mennonite Camping Association in hopes of further developing its recreational potential.

The deed to the society's newest 56.3 acres, including most of the horse track, pond and woods, was officially given to Dr. O'Connor on Tuesday morning by Pratt-Northam trustee Randall A. Schell.

"It really broadens our mission, particularly for our winter opportunities," Dr. O'Connor said.

Mr. Schell, the county's probation director, commended the agricultural society for its year-round maintenance of the fairgrounds and expressed hope that its new property will be treated similarly. Following the opening ceremonies, Lowville town and village Code Enforcement Officer Charles W. Stevens also sought to commend the society for addressing numerous safety issues at the fairgrounds over the past 15 years.

"It's improved greatly," Mr. Stevens said about the state of the facilities. "We're really quite happy with it."