Back in late 2017, word already started spreading that NASCAR was interested in building a racetrack in Jackson, Mississippi. Now, according to a councilman in the city of Jackson, positive steps are being taken to bring a NASCAR track to the Magnolia State.
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According to Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks, a study is set to be released on Tuesday, July 31, that would lay out what exactly would need to be done to introduce professional auto racing to Mississippi.
"We're confident that this feasibility study is going to look real good. The proposed location looks real good," Banks told WAPT. "The work that has to take place now is those who will be investors, and those that want to step to the table and be investors, get the opportunity."
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During a city council meeting in December of last year, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba introduced the idea that NASCAR was interested in building a track in the city. At the time, the city was working with a budget of about $3.5 million and was mulling over the idea of doubling its tourist tax to increase revenue.
When the idea was first introduced, though, there was still a need for a "more extensive plan."
During recent city council meeting, Jackson, Mississippi, mayor "mentioned that NASCAR has interest in building a racetrack here and that JCVB is willing to assist in doing a study to move that forward." (Via @JxnFreePress)
-> https://t.co/npnj8IEqex pic.twitter.com/YE2tnxFJql
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 29, 2017
Per Jackson Free Press:
Lumumba told council he does agree that "we would have benefitted from a more extensive plan," but that he and his administration have a "cache of ideas that would be helpful for the City of Jackson." The mayor also mentioned that NASCAR has interest in building a racetrack here and that JCVB is willing to assist in doing a study to move that forward.
Well, now it looks like serious work is being done on that plan that Lumumba was talking about, making the whole idea seem like a more feasible undertaking,
Considering that Mississippi is one of the only southern states without a NASCAR track (Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina all have them), bringing a track there could not only do leaps and bounds for the state, but also for NASCAR itself.
Do you think bringing a NASCAR track to Mississippi would be a good idea?
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