‘KENT® Center’ Announced at Muscatine County Fairgrounds, Construction Begins

WEST LIBERTY, IOWA (March 24, 2025) – KENT® Corporation recently joined community leaders, 4-H members and local supporters to break ground on the new ‘KENT® Center Event Space’ in Muscatine County. This $2 million, 17,000 square foot venue, partially funded by KENT®, will serve as a cornerstone for hands-on education and address a major community need.

Capable of hosting up to 500 people, the KENT® Center will fill a void in the county, which currently lacks such a facility and forces residents to travel more than 40 miles for large events.

“The $500,000 matching gift from KENT® Corporation was a catalyst for this project and brought the total financial support from KENT® Corporation to over $1 million over the past decade that they have supported us at the Fair,” said Kelsey Meyers, Muscatine County Fair Manager. “It is fantastic to have one of the largest employers in Muscatine County as our keynote donor and we wouldn’t be taking this exciting step forward without their support.”

The Muscatine County Fairgrounds, listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places, will benefit greatly from this new addition. The fairgrounds are a central part of the community, and the new event center will further enhance its role as a hub for local activities and youth development.

“KENT® Corporation is dedicated to improving our community by investing in opportunities for young people and improving event center space in Muscatine County,” said Jimmy Kent, President, GPC and KENT® Nutrition Group, who, as a Muscatine-native showed livestock at the fairgrounds when he was growing up. “This space allows FFA and 4-H members to develop essential skills and become future leaders, and it is impactful for our community to unite in contributing to the long-term success of our youth.”

Fundraising efforts have been robust, with $1.38 million dollars total raised to date thanks to 115 different gifts, including local families, non-profits, foundations and businesses. The Muscatine County Fair is now $600,000 away from their goal and continues to seek support from the community.

Construction is expected to be completed by Spring of 2026, marking a significant milestone for Muscatine County and its residents. When finished, the building will include a prep kitchen, bar, bathrooms, storage rooms, a meeting room, board room and office space.