U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $93,400 for Arkansas' Scenic Byway Program |
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Topics: Norman Mineta
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Federal Highway Administration
2 June 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Contact: Lori Irving, 202-366-0660
FHWA 7-04b
Grants Will Support Arkansas' Small Communities, Promote Tourism
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that Arkansas will receive $93,400 in grants for Crowley's Ridge Parkway and the Great River Road, which are part of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) National Scenic Byways Program.
"The only way to visit many of our nation's treasures is to travel on a scenic byway," said Mineta. "Investing in these roads is the best way to bring travel and tourism dollars to many of Arkansas' small towns."
These grants will help support and promote Crowley's Ridge Parkway and the Great River Road through development of marketing plans and materials. They will also provide funding for a brochure about Arkansas' byways and provide National Scenic Byway signs for the Great River Road.
"Our nation's scenic byways provide a vital link between countless travelers and Arkansas' small towns and rural areas, supporting hundreds of mom and pop shops along the way," said FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters. "The Bush administration is proud to help local communities support, improve and promote these important resources."
Currently, 96 roads in 39 states have been named by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of America's Byways. Studies suggest that byway designations increase the number of visitors to rural communities by up to 20 percent, resulting in billions more dollars and tens-of-thousand of jobs nationwide. Those same studies have found that the typical byway visitor spends between $100 and $200 per trip.
The National Scenic Byway Program recognizes roadways around the nation based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities. The funding announced today will assist the grassroots efforts of communities along the byways to preserve, protect, interpret and promote the qualities of the designated road. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided $219 million for 1,595 projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
More information about the National Scenic Byways Program is available online at www.byways.org or by calling toll-free, 1-800-4-BYWAYS (1-800-429-9297).