A progressive group of citizens are asking the people of Kimball to invest, in their own future. To that end and after much discussion, a joint city council/county commissioners meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wed. Feb. 23.

The 4-H building was chosen as the venue to provide enough space for anyone who wishes to attend. The meeting will provide citizens with information about High Point Motor Speedway from track developer Dick Cutshaw.

Cutshaw was joined at the regular Kimball County Commissioners meeting by his wife Jackie, former Kimball Mayor Shortie Kiefer, and local business owners Kathy Porter and Tom Hewitt in support of the speedway.

Chairman of the board Dave Bashaw, preemptively stating that an inter-local agreement is not possible, was corrected by county clerk Cathy Sibal. According to Sibal it is a possibility, but the figures show it would mean a $4.13 raise per $100,000.00 of property tax paid each year.

Hewitt, who has no involvement with the track, stated that Kimball has passed up several opportunities in the past that would have improved Kimball, including Cabelas. Kimball had the chance to grow, but for the small thinkers, said Hewitt.

“This town and county are very small thinking,” Hewitt said.

Bashaw sited proposed cuts in state aid to counties and inheritance tax cuts, and added that area farmers are already hurting.

“I believe in economic development growth but it is a challenge, Bashaw said, “I don’t feel I can penalize the people of this county at this time.”

Cutshaw presented numbers from a University of Nebraska study, and backed by a study in Colorado, stating that nation-wide, the city/county owned tracks benefit the community, not private investors.

His figures and the business plan have been reviewed by numerous people in the racing community, and have been found to be conservative in terms of expected revenue.

Phase one, a moto-cross track, is complete and Cutshaw said that it is already paying for itself, though not making much extra money.

Phase two is the proposed drag strip, which will cost around five million dollars to build. However, the return is on that investment is quick. Cutshaw also reminded the board of the excess revenue to other businesses such as hotels, campgrounds, grocery stores, and gas stations.

The third phase will be a circle racing track. The circle track is similar to NASCAR races that are gaining in popularity across the country. That phase cannot begin until the second one is complete.

“HPMS isn’t just asking you to invest in a drag strip, we’re asking you to invest in a racing center,” Cutshaw said, “There’s opportunity there, we have to create it.”

Cutshaw claims the representatives from racetracks in Pueblo, Colo., Laramie and Douglas Wyo.  would like to come support Kimball and provide information for the public at the joint meeting. He anticipates a lively discussion from local residents.

Challenging Cutshaw and the HPMS board to get a petition, Bashaw said,“I don’t think you are going to get enough people in this county to approve their taxes going up again.”

Ninety-three is the number of people needed to pass a petition in Kimball, according to the numbers Cutshaw quoted. He said there were already at least that many in support of the raceway, even just in supportive business owners.

As a business owner, Hewitt, suggested that the county look into other ways to save the community money. As a former efficiency expert, he said he could go through each office and find many ways to cut spending and bring costs down instead of killing new ideas that may keep Kimball alive.

“I do know this town is dying,” Hewitt finished.