Birkey's Farm Stores plans to purchase the Interstate Center's main expo building in Bloomington, Ill. The facility and grounds around it were originally developed as an expo center and fairgrounds for several local and regional events, including the McClean County Fair.
 
Birkey's, with 12 Case IH and New Holland ag equipment and Case Construction dealerships throughout Illinois and Indiana, is headquartered in Rantoul, Ill. It plans to  close its 15,000-square-foot Hudson dealership June 30 and reopen an expanded location at the Bloomington site July 1. The business, which sells Case IH farm equipment and Case construction equipment, will use the majority of the 90,000-square-foot main expo building.
 
"We're excited. It's been something we've needed for a long time," said Ron Birkey, company president and CEO.  The deal is expected to close Dec. 1; terms were not disclosed.
 
The Interstate Center will lease back a large portion of the facility to accommodate already-scheduled events in late 2009 and part of 2010.