The Jackson Speedway was officially put up for sale on Tuesday when the Jackson County Board of Commissioners authorized notices to bidders.

A subcommittee of the board and the Jackson County Fair Board had delineated boundaries for what would be sold, and following a potential tweaking of one boundary line, buyers will now be sought through advertisement in the local newspaper and in trade publications regionally and possibly nationally.

Up for bid is approximately 36 acres of the 47-acre Jackson County Fairgrounds, from 789th Street on the north to the go-kart track on the south, not including the horse barn and arena, and from the fence outside turns three and four on the west to the eastern property line.

A key part of early negotiations with potential buyers Tod Quiring and Jon McCorkell has been inclusion of the entire parking area south of the race track, though commissioners have insisted on an easement granting them access to parking for the county fair.

Commissioner Bill Tusa said the new ownership would operate the speedway concessions and likely pitch in to enhance the fair by helping attract grandstand shows.

"I think it can be a positive thing for both sides," he said. "I think this can bring a tax base to the county."

The board also discussed insurance coverage during the fair, drainage on the property, water metering and the shifting of a north-south boundary line separating the go-kart track from the horse arena.

"I don’t want to kill the sale, but I’d be more comfortable if it was moved (farther east)," said Commissioner Roger Ringkob.

Board members unanimously approved the authorization to publish notice to bidders but reserved the right to tweak that boundary after further discussion with McCorkell. The authorization will need to clear county attorney review as well.

Once one or more bids come in, commissioners will have the opportunity a month from now to review them and decide which, if any, they would like to accept.