The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted at its June 6 regular meeting to approve an agreement that would allow $3.25 million in federal funds to be used for improvements at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton.

The county will enter into a sub-recipient agreement with the speedway utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to assist in the AMS Recovery and Revitalization Plan, which was presented to the board by Brandon Hutchinson, executive vice president and general manager of AMS. Hutchinson explained how the money would be used and said that AMS is competing with other speedways and venues across the United States to attract and host events.

“It is imperative that we address facility maintenance needs to keep current events and upgrades to help attract new ones to Henry County,” he said.

The planned upgrades include repaving aging parking lots, remodeling the media center, upgrading the grandstand concourse, adding internet and wi-fi connectivity, and upgrading the marquee sign.

County officials estimate that AMS generates about $4 million in new sales tax revenue every time a race take place there. Commissioner Johnny Wilson publicly expressed his support for investing in the facility for that reason.

“If you consider the property tax and the sales tax that the speedway generates, that is a huge chunk of the overall tax revenue in the county. Eight million dollars a year they create in new sales tax for the county,” said Wilson.

The measure passed 4-1, with Vivian Thomas voting in opposition. She said she feels the dollars could be used for other pressing needs in the county.