Talks underway in Newton for possible recreation/racetrack facility

Newton officials have been talking to a developer about building a racetrack and entertainment complex in Newton — a developer who wants his identity kept secret. Newton Mayor David Aldridge says it’s a new developer and group of investors who’ve not been associated with the project in the past. The Mayor says the project under consideration has nothing to do with the former site discussed, and neither the city nor Jasper County would own the facility. He says the new investment group is looking at a 100 acre site that’s near the Newton airport. Aldridge won’t offer a guess as to a timetable for action.Jasper County officials sought money from the state’s Vision Iowa program to help finance a motor speedway, but the Vision Iowa board denied their request late last year. Aldridge says the new developer met privately with local economic development officials, but has not met with the city council. Aldridge says allegations of a slew of “secret meetings” are unfounded. Mayor Aldridge says they’ve just honored the man’s request that during preliminary discussions the man’s identity “be protected.”