Governor Tom Corbett recently announced a $1 million Economic Growth Initiative (EGI) grant to assist in Pocono Raceway’s renovation and improvement plan.

“This raceway is a major tourism catalyst for Pennsylvania bringing in tourism dollars from neighboring states and around the country,” said Gov. Corbett. “This investment will help ensure the safety of event spectators as well maintain the viability of this worldwide destination.”

The project will include substantial improvements to the raceway’s main facility entrance with the rebuilding of two, 50 year old tunnels. These tunnels provide the only entrance and exit from within the racetrack. The project will also include construction of a pedestrian walkway.

“As a structure that has stood for as long as this, safety becomes paramount in what we look at in projects that we must undertake here at Pocono Raceway,” stated Brandon Igdalsky, Raceway President and CEO. “This project not only will shore up the safety & longevity of this area of the property, but also increase that first impression of a facility that is instrumental to tourism in the Pocono Mountains.  This project will help us highlight not just who we are, but allow us to help showcase the region and our geography.  In addition, it will open up a new ability to allow pedestrians to be able to safely use our tunnels as well as vehicle traffic.”

Pocono Raceway has generated more than $250 million in income for Northeast Pennsylvania residents. The attraction supports more than 2700 jobs, and has generated almost $15 million of tax revenue for the commonwealth.