Bill Thomas Appointed to National Rt. 66 Steering Committee

[October 31, 2014]  LINCOLN - The World Monuments Fund (WMF) and the National Park Service (NPS) have invited Bill Thomas, Interim Executive Director of the Lincoln/Logan County Development Partnership, to join a small group of representative stakeholders from across the U.S. to serve on a National Route 66 Steering Committee.

The goal of the committee is to explore options for a model or framework of national collaboration that will represent the multiple stakeholders along Route 66 in order to preserve, promote, and enhance new economic opportunities for all the communities along the the Mother Road.

The creation of the Steering Committee is a direct outcome of the successful Route 66 Road Ahead roundtable held in Anaheim, California last November, at which Thomas was a participant and presenter. The report produced and circulated by WMF as a result of the Anaheim roundtable can be read at http://www.wmf.org/dig-deeper/publication/route-66-road-ahead.

The Naitonal Rt. 66 Steering Committee is a small group, chosen for their representative sector knowledge, experience, and qualifications. Bill Kelly, Executive Director of the Illinois Rt. 66 Scenic Byway Program and Pontiac mayor, Mr. Bob Russell, have also been appointed to the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee has already begun its work via teleconference and plans to meet for a face-to-face workshop session in Albuquerque, New Mexco in late November. The goal of the Alququerque gathering will be to finalize the mission and structure of a new national Rt. 66 organization that can help promote the road with one voice to both the domestic and international tourist markets. Being on the Steering Committee provides Thomas with a good position to keep informed on developments that can be of advantage to the tourism sector of Logan County’s overal economic base.

The mission of the Lincoln/Logan County Development Partnership is to work together to enhance the economic prosperity and quality of life in Logan County. The Partnership Board meets the last Monday of each month.

[Bill Thomas, Interim Executive Director, Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership]