County needs all the help it can get

Not long ago The Herald reported that a NASCAR track in Joliet, Ill., has produced “a boost, not a boon.”

Economic miracles are few and far between these days. In the post 9/11 economy, Snohomish County has experienced some of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Indeed, every time there has been a recession in the last 30 years, we have been hurt big.

NASCAR is a series of annual events – racing weekends – that produce big out-of-region and out-of-state spending. How big? The economic studies show that NASCAR here would be bigger than if Snohomish County were to become the permanent host for Major League Baseball’s All-Star game. NASCAR here will produce more than two NBA All-Star Games.

Just look at how major cities in the United States compete for events that bring out-of-town spending. Denver is spending up to $1 million to attract the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. Shouldn’t we put up just a little effort to secure NASCAR, a far bigger fish that will pay off every year?

Snohomish County does not currently have much of a visitor industry. NASCAR would help diversify our economy by giving us one. It’s the sort of economic asset that every region in the country wants to attract. We could use that boost as much or more than most.

Lori Kirkeby

Stanwood