HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 59

(By Delegates Howell, A. Hall, Clark, Dittman, Petitto, Storch, Ferrell, Fehrenbacher, Cannon, Nestor, and Lucas)

February 27, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism then the Committee on Rules

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the feasibility of providing seed money to fund a proposed program to establish a motorsport events welcome center and implement a program to promote motorsport events in West Virginia.  

Whereas, Motorsport events are sponsored by at least one or more nonprofit organizations in regions of central Appalachia including Eastern Kentucky, Northern Tennessee, Western Virginia, and Western West Virginia counties in a geography with winding mountain roads, sharp curves, and scenic views; events begin in the early spring of each year and run through early November; nearly every weekend during this season a motorsport event occurs within these regions, and occasionally, multiple sponsored motorsport events are held on a single weekend; and

Whereas, An economic impact study was recently conducted by a nonprofit motorsport sponsor organization, commissioned through a grant, to identify the increase in regional revenue, income and employment generated by motorsport events sponsored by the organization; and

Whereas, In the report of the study, increased regional spending through motorsport events were defined along four lines of spending: gas purchases, local dining, lodging, and local shopping. The analysis shows that between $209 and $312 in spending occurs per person per day; on average, each person spends 1.97 days attending an event; thus, the regional impact per person per event was found to be between $413 and $613; and

Whereas, The study found that: during the 2022 motorsport event season, 22,424 people attended motorsport organization sponsored events; thus, during the 2022 season the economic impact, increased regional spending associated with these sponsored events is between $9,266,349 and $13,754,736; which is a significant contribution to this region; the study report states that through time, the organization sponsored motorsport events will bring additional motorsport enthusiasts into the region increasing their regional impact on income and employment; and

Whereas, The Legislature has been requested to appropriate seed funding of $200,000 to establish a welcome center and implement a program to promote motorsport events and encourage expansion of facilities, and to support participation similar to what has been successfully executed in Kentucky; the proposal also provides that a portion of the funding be used to obtain a West Virginia resident as director of operations for the program; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of providing seed money to fund a proposed program to establish a motorsport events welcome center and implement a program to promote motorsport events in West Virginia; and, be it  

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2024, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with information gathered by the task force; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft any necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.