Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves economic development agreement for Pan Am Speedway in Tornillo/Fabens area
Summary
Commissioners approved a chapter 381 economic development agreement to support Pan Am Speedway, a proposed multiuse racetrack and events venue in the county's east side; developers said the facility will generate construction and permanent jobs, tourism and new tax revenue, and commissioners discussed safety and traffic controls.
The county on Aug. 18 approved an economic development agreement under Chapter 381 with the developers of Pan Am Speedway, a proposed motorsports and events venue planned in the Tornillo/Fabens corridor.
Economic Development staff presented the negotiated agreement and said the project's backers intend to build a racetrack and a multiuse event venue to host motorsports, concerts and community events. Developers and investors told the court the facility will create construction jobs during the build‑out and permanent jobs for operations, and they predicted increased hotel stays, restaurant and retail spending and new sales and property tax revenue for the county.
Developers told commissioners the facility will be built with sound‑mitigation measures, traffic‑management plans and limited event schedules; they emphasized that a controlled track is a safer place for driving and motorsport activity than public roads. The developers said they had engaged with community stakeholders, county staff and private partners about water, power and traffic access and that they plan to use the site for year‑round events and tourism.
Commissioners asked about noise, traffic, safety and spillover to local businesses; developers said they would design curfews, barriers and traffic routing to limit neighborhood impacts and that the venue could bring business to nearby restaurants, hotels and retail outlets. County staff noted the agreement and the company's commitments and recommended approval.
The court approved the chapter 381 agreement on an affirmative vote. Commissioners said they expect ongoing coordination during permitting and construction.
Why it matters: the project represents a private investment that county staff sought to attract to spur tourism and economic activity in the county's eastern growth corridor. County officials said they will monitor community impacts such as traffic, noise and infrastructure needs as the project proceeds.
