Great things happen when groups join forces for the common good.

For the latest example of that, look no further than the Webster County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds southwest of Fort Dodge will see a series of improvements this year because the Webster County Fair Board and Iowa Central Community College have come together to make those upgrades happen. The result will be better facilities for the annual fair, the college’s rodeo program and every other event that takes place there.

Perhaps Jody Anderson, the president of the Fair Board, summed it up best during a recent presentation to the Webster County Board of Supervsiors.

“The big thing we have to announce is we have joined with Iowa Central this year,” he told the supervisors.

The college will pay the Fair Board some rent and build an outdoor arena. The college will also improve the stall barn. Anderson told the supervisors that the college will put in day stalls for horses and put a new roof on the barn.

“It’s going to be a premiere rodeo event arena when it’s done,” Anderson told the supervisors. “It’s going to be an economic boom for the county.”

Anderson’s assessement is right on the mark, we believe.

And we think college President Dan Kinney was also correct when he said, “I think the additions that will be made to the fairgrounds will really help our community in attracting additional events to our region and give a great boost to the economy.”

The resulting improvements will be enjoyed by everyone who will attend the college’s rodeo on July 6. And they will be appreciated by those who will converge on the fairgrounds for the annual fair to be held July 12-16.

We believe the partnership created by the Fair Board and the college is an example that ought to be repeated throughout the state.

We thank everyone who was involved in it.