JACKSON, , Michigan – A groundbreaking ceremony was held here to mark the beginning of construction on the new American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. The construction project is the result of a Public-Private Partnership Agreement between American 1 Credit Union and Jackson County, Michigan. The agreement solidifies a $4-million gift from American 1 to Jackson County for the construction of the $6-million facility.
American 1 first announced its intention to contribute to the project in November of 2016.
“Over the past two years, we’ve watched the plans for the new Event Center become the cornerstone of a park that will be a lovely green space where the public will gather and play,” said Martha Fuerstenau, American 1 CU’s president and CEO. “The plan for reinventing the Fairgrounds is better than anything we could have imagined. A place downtown where people can enjoy walking and biking, and perhaps a river walk, along with indoor space for all kinds of events, is a resource we don’t currently have.”
The new American 1 Event Center will be an affordable space appropriate for large and small events. The facility, with its flexible configurations, will be ideal for weddings and family gatherings, corporate and community events, and mid-sized conventions, the credit union said.
The American 1 Event Center will accommodate up to 850 guests for banquets and 1,500 attendees in theater-style seating. It will feature a full catering kitchen to enhance the food service experience.
“We believe we have a responsibility to our home community of Jackson, to contribute to important improvements that will make a lasting difference for generations,” added Fuerstenau. “We believe that economic development of this kind attracts visitors and new residents. We are thrilled to play an important role in the transformation that is taking place in the community that’s been our home for sixty-eight years. We hope that this gift inspires similar gifts from fellow local businesses for the betterment of our wonderful community.”