Extra cash will fuel efforts to promote a racing festival in Topeka.

The Joint Economic Development Organization voted Wednesday to give $25,000 in sales tax money to attract people to the Festival of Speed. The October family event will be held in conjunction with the Sports Car Club of America Championship Runoffs at Heartland Park.

Even though the runoffs will move to Wisconsin after this year, Chamber President Doug Kinsinger says attracting a crowd to the festival could help attract new racing events to the area, or even convince this one to return when its contract in Wisconsin runs out.

Also Wednesday, JEDO recommended that Shawnee County Commissioners approve a tax increment financing (TIF) district for a development at SE 15th and Adams. The move would allow the developers to use sales and property tax revenues generated by the site to pay for city improvements.