The Putnam County Commission voted to purchase 187 acres of land just off the new 5th Interchange on Tennessee Avenue. It will be used for a new Expo-Event Center, fairgrounds, a fire-EMS station and other future needs. The cost of the property and project are expected to be paid for with the proceeds of selling the current fairgrounds property and possibly the land where the school bus garage and highway department are located. The goal is to attract commercial-retail development on the sale of the current property, which would bring in property and sales tax revenue to the City of Cookeville and Putnam County.