Section 425:19-d - Capital Improvement Grant DisbursementsI. The board of directors of a fair may apply to the department for grant award from the capital improvement program grant fund on forms provided by the department.II. The commissioner shall allocate at least 95 percent of the capital improvement program grant fund, including fund interest, to eligible applicant fairs and distribute such funds according to merit as measured by a merit rating to be set by the commissioner. This merit rating shall take into account such factors as area and population served, youth participation, attendance, gate receipts, number and type of exhibits, community support, evidence of successful achievement of desired outcomes and purposes of the fair, extent of improvements made to grounds and facilities from year to year, rural and farming nature of the region served by the fair, and overall condition and appearance of grounds.III. Any disbursements made under this section shall be made only as a disbursement in whole or in part for capital improvement expenses incurred by the fair.Amended by 2022 , 208: 1, eff. 7/1/2022. 1987, 252:5, eff. July 1, 1987.