Because of the funding, a project administrator and staff will work for the next two years to inventory all the sites along Route 66. That team also will help find funds to restore or rebuild businesses or other attractions that are authentic, historic Route 66 sites. The administrator and staff will be based at the Illinois Bureau of Tourism in Springfield. By continuing to develop Illinois' Route 66 sites, Estes said, more marketing can be done to overseas travelers interested in the nostalgic Americana of the highway. The program will be a great benefit to some of the smaller communities along the highway, such as Dwight, said Village Administrator Kevin McNamara.
Every little bit helps especially for smaller communities.
Estes and McNamara served on the strategic planning committee and are members of the interim board of directors of the heritage project. Send us comments about this story. Illinois Lottery Specials . Pantagraph Publishing Co. All rights reserved.