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The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership Board of Directors held its third quarter meeting on August 9, 2024. Reports were presented by the Partnership’s Working Groups and updates on the Road Ahead’s Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant and Black Experiences Grant Programs were provided. Information regarding the most recent Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission programs, activities, projects, and events approved was also shared.
The Federal Route 66 Centennial Commission approved the Route 66 Centennial Public-Facing Communications plan that was submitted in February. One of the key elements of this plan is the Centennial website, which is currently under development with a goal for launch on January 1, 2025. The Road Ahead submitted three new projects to the Route 66 Centennial Commission during the third quarter. The Commission voted to recommend the Google Arts and Culture Route 66 Hub, the Route 66 Pathways Project, and the I Am Route 66 Project as Official Route 66 Centennial Projects. It appears that progress is being made on the Route 66 Historic Trail Bill, as it moves in the direction of being included in an end-of-year Land Package legislation in the House of Representatives. The Road Ahead will work with congressional staffers to introduce a bill in the Senate that compliments the House bill. Efforts to raise funds for the proposed Route 66 National Research Center began following onsite meetings with officials from UNM, the Lobo Development Group, and the UNM Foundation in August. The Preservation Working Group’s Quick Reference Preservation Guide is available online (www.route66theroadahead.org/resources). The Road Ahead can help users make the most of this tool. For more information, email [email protected]. The Board also voted to engage Samantha Extance to facilitate a blended (i.e. online and in person) strategic planning process for the Partnership. More details are available via minutes of the August 9, 2024 Board Meeting, found in the Resource section of the Road Ahead website. Further details and more updates can be found in the online (www.route66roadahead.org/resources). Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments’ Fund, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development. FALL 2024 UPDATE After an unexpected delay this spring, the restoration team was back at it again the first week of June in Tucumcari. This time it was installing neon and bulbs on the sign at the Route 66 Townhouse Welcome Center & Gift Shop. First, since we love Flora May so much, we also gave the sign a new coat of paint. Next, we removed all the broken glass bulbs along the outer perimeter and replaced them with new LED bulbs. WOW! They look great! The red and yellow bulbs really make the sign pop during the day or night. Next was installing the new neon. You must take great care when handling neon so as not to break it. These pieces needed extra care as they were long and bent in one spot. The extra care took a bit more time, but it was well worth it. While we were working, Flora May welcomed travelers from France, Italy, Germany, Australia, and England. They were excited to be the first ones to see the newly revived sign, and we were excited to be there to give them an official New Mexico Route 66 Association welcome to our state. Finally, the big event… the lighting of the sign. The sign looked fabulous! It glowed bright, but unfortunately not everything lit up. From our examination, it looks to be a transformer issue. We’ve placed it on our to-do list for the next trip. Special thanks to Robert Moore of Tucumcari Automotive for picking up the rented lift from Amarillo, Texas, and to David Brenner of Roadrunner Lodge Motel for returning it. We could not have made this happen without your assistance. It’s wonderful when people come together to make positive things happen.  The New Mexico Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group held its fifth centennial stakeholders meeting November 19, 2024, in Grants for both Grants and Gallup communities.
The meeting started off with Lancing Adams, acting secretary, New Mexico Tourism Department providing results of this years NMTD Route 66 Centennial Grant Program. $2.5 million was appropriated by the 2024 Legislative Session to be expended in FY25. MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS—$400,000 Through a strategic digital marketing campaign, creative production, promo item (up to $2,000), and web enhancement (up to $5,000). Marketing and Promotion grant winners are: Albuquerque — Visit Albuquerque Barelas — Barelas Community Coalition Inc. (Albuquerque) Historic Old Town — Historic Old Town Association (Albuquerque) Santa Fe — TOURISM Santa Fe Moriarty — City of Moriarty Tucumcari — Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce Grants — City of Grants Gallup — City of Gallup Pecos — Village of Pecos Santa Rosa — City of Santa Rosa INFRASTRUCTURE AND DESTINATION ENHANCEMENTS—$1,040,000 Infrastructure and Destination Enhancements grants award winners are: $250,000 — City of Albuquerque: Art installation along Route 66 $28,514 — City of Gallup: Wayfinding system; public art $55,769 — Village of San Jon: Comprehensive wayfinding system $42,333 — TOURISM Santa Fe: Wayfinding enhancements $122,885 — Guadalupe County (Santa Rosa): Beautification and enhancements to highway overpass $121,000 — Tucumcari MainStreet: Wayfinding enhancements $172,500 — Historic Old Town Assn. (Albuquerque): Enhanced gateway signage $250,000 — New Mexico State Fair Commission: Refurbishment of State Fair Tower SPECIAL EVENTS—$70,000 Special Events grants award winners are: $10,000 — City of Albuquerque: Route 66 Summerfest $20,000 — Gathering of Nations (Albuquerque): Gathering of Nations $4,000 — Grants MainStreet: Spokes on 66 Car Show $4.000 — City of Moriarty: Pinto Bean Route 66 Centennial Fiesta $5,000 — Santa Fe Children's Museum: Noon Year's Eve $6,500 — Guadalupe Community Development Corp.: The Bridges of Celebration on Santa Rosa Route 66 $5,000 — Village of Pecos: Route 66 Rodeo $7,500 — Santa Fe Railyard Community Corp.: Railyard Route 66 Festival $4,000 — Downtown Albuquerque MainStreet Initiative: Mothership on the Mother Road $4,000 — TOURISM Santa Fe/Tumbleroot Brewing: First Sunday Route 66 Market REMAINING—$990,000 The remaining $990,000 was dispersed between National and International advertising provided by Tourism Exchange USA (Brand USA), an Interactive map provided by FocalShift Media, and New Mexico Magazine, published by the New Mexico Tourism Department. See full list of those awarded and not awarded. Adams shared the results of a recent study on domestic and international interest in the Centennial. They found about 13% of all potential visitors are aware of the Centennial. When they were made aware, 57% said that information made them more likely to travel the route. Domestic visitors are most motivated to travel Route 66 by: history/culture, iconic places, and nostalgia. International visitors are most motivated by: scenic places, iconic places, a sense of freedom, and nature. More than half of potential visitors said they would drive the entirety of Route 66. Of those that would only drive a segment, the Southwest ranks highest among likely regions. Special guest speakers included Nate Huff, president, Tourism Exchange USA (Brand USA) and Thomas Elliot Fite, director of marketing, FocalShift Media. Matt Robinson, Gallup-McKinley County Route 66 Committee, and Rose·Eason, executive director, gallupARTS, presented for Gallup. Les Gaines, executive director, Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, and Denise Hanson, executive director, Grants Mainstreet, presented for Grants. All sharing accomplishments made as they prepare for the Route 66 Centennial as well as plans for funds recently received through the Coordination Group 66 Centennial grants. The accomplishments and teamwork displayed by Grants and Gallup were amazing! In addition, and Cindi Williams, village manager, Milan were on hand to share their recent accomplishments of reviving their communities and preparing for the centennial. Daniel Gutierrez, director, Mainstreet and Centennial Coordination Group board member gave a brief overview of Route 66 Mainstreet communities. New Mexico Route 66 Association president, Melissa Beasley-Lee was present to provide input on questions pertaining to national centennial celebration collaborations with the seven sister state associations as well as projects the New Mexico Route 66 Association has in the works throughout the Land of Enchantment. Coming up in 2025 from the Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group:
2025 Meeting dates were not mentioned. |
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