Governor Tom Vilsack says he wants to learn the details before commenting on a financing deal for a proposed race track in Newton. “I haven’t had a chance to look at it in great detail,” Vilsack says. “I think that the idea of a race track in Iowa is a good idea. It is something that will draw attention to the state, will promote economic opportunity within the state.” Iowa Department of Economic Development officials have been working with the builders and developers of the project. The governor says they’re trying to come up with something that’s economically feasible. Vilsack was asked to comment on the financing structure this (Monday) morning during a news conference at the statehouse “I’m not sure what the parameters are of all the help and assistance the state is being asked to give and before I would answer your question, I would really need to know that,” Vilsack says. “I really need to know what the parameters are because you don’t want to give too much. You want to give just enough to help the project happen, but you don’t want to give more than you absolutely have to.” Vilsack says he doesn’t want to discourage innovation, but he wants to know the total price tag first before he’ll commit.
