Ernst talks transportation, airports during Newton stop

Tourism, small businesses and the fastest short track on the planet were all topics addressed by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst on her visit to the Iowa Speedway on Thursday.

Ernst made her first official visit to Jasper County since being sworn in as a U.S. Senator in January. The Republican is in the midst of visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, and the last two week’s whirlwind trips totaled 31 stops, including five on Thursday.

“Races always seem to fall on drill weekends,” said Ernst, who is also still an active deputy chief of staff in the Iowa National Guard. “I’d love to come to a race here. My husband has always loved The Brickyard.”

Ernst received a short tour of the main grandstand building, including the view from the Newton Club and one of the suites. Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small, NASCAR director of public affairs and others filled in Ernst on NASCAR and details of putting on a race.

Then, Ernst was escorted to a suite for a short meeting involving more than a dozen central Iowa leaders. The discussion was led by Greg Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Several Jasper County officials were at the meeting, including State Sen. Chaz Allen, Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Light and Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Linda Bacon.

Des Moines International Airport Executive Director and General Manager Kevin Foley and several other officials and business people from various parts of the state also came to Newton for the meeting — one of the Iowa Speedway’s focuses is bringing tourism to central Iowa.

Ernst began by discussing how politics is somewhat of a tourism mechanism, and while sporadic, political events help the tourism industry learn more about how to bring more people to the area.

Ernst, who is on both the Veterans Affairs and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees, said she is working with Congressional colleagues to make changes to the Visa Waiver Program, enabling travelers to get through international travel checkpoints more quickly. Foley said getting people through airports efficiently is a priority.

Ernst, who said she flies mostly out of Omaha from her Red Oak home, said she has seen airport congestion firsthand. Several of the people at the meeting mentioned funding needs for transportation —small and municipal airports and roads.

Some of the Des Moines-area representatives mentioned the need for collaborative efforts, especially when two or more events overlap. Ernst, who also serves on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship said travel through the state by car or motorcycle is an important component of tourism.

“We need to remember that people pass through here on their way elsewhere, and there are ways to get them to stop and buy food here, or stay a night or two here,” she said.

Edwards joked that Iowa restaurants are doing well partly because marijuana consumers from Colorado get hungry about the time they reach the Hawkeye state.

“They get the munchies,” Ernst said, laughing.

Ernst praised the efforts of Allen and Iowa Speedway and NASCAR staff for helping make the Newton track a destination. She said a Harley-Davidson dealership near her home in Red Oak is trying to become a seasonal destination with upgrades that include a campground and live entertainment.

Ernst said she is talking with several Democrat and Republican senators about what can be done to create a remedy for the Affordable Car Act requirement that forces businesses to offer benefits to offer benefits to employees who have a 30-hour work week. She said she is also discussing tip-wage issues with her colleagues.

The senator had to wrap up her session to head to Orient in Adair County.

Allen said the tourism, especially on race weekends, has changed not only Jasper County, but the tourism industry throughout central Iowa. Edwards pointed out Small moved from Florida to run the speedway, and is currently staying in a camper on the raceway grounds.

“That’s commitment,” Edwards said, “living in a van down by the river.”

Ernst, who took notes throughout the meeting, ended by promising to bring up the day’s concerns on Capitol Hill.

“I will take your concerns back to Washington D.C.,” Ernst said. “I’ll continue to do my part.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com