The state should benefit from the travel information center being built at the nearby Kansas Speedway.

The state of Kansas long has been criticized for its low-key approach to promotions, and that criticism often has been justified. We don’t do the best job of presenting ourselves. But relief could be on the way, at least for our area.

Ground has been broken for a Travel Information Center at the entrance to the new Kansas Speedway just east of here and evidence is it will be a valuable asset and at virtually no cost to taxpayers.

Kansas Speedway will build and operate the 5,060-foot center through a contract with the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing. The center is scheduled to be completed this fall.

The speedway people are covering the cost of the project, and the “rent” for Kansas is planned to be something like a token $1 a year. Granted, much of the memorabilia and informational material at the center will be geared toward the speedway and the attractions in that region. Even so, it sounds as if the travel info center will be as big league as the racing complex, and that is good news for the Sunflower State.

Many people will have their first introduction to Kansas via the speedway and the new visitor center. With race track material available along with Kansas promotional items, the center should draw a lot of people.

Many Kansas communities have commendable travel centers and many roadside parks and rest stops in the state reflect favorably on us. The Kansas City area speedway center should be another addition to the pro-Kansas approach and the fact it will cost virtually nothing is an added bonus.