Logan County Economic Development Partnership:
Bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail unanimously passes out of committee

[January 11, 2018] 

The Logan County Economic Development Partnership is pleased to announce that legislation introduced by Congressman Darin LaHood to designate Route 66 a National Historic Trail passed out of the National Resources Committee by a unanimous vote on Wednesday, January 10th. This comes after the bill received a legislative hearing in November of 2017, at which Rep. LaHood and other Members of the House spoke of the importance of preserving the road for future generations. LCEDP Ex. Director, Bill Thomas, was invited to testify at the hearing regarding the economic impact of Rt. 66.

“For nearly a century, Route 66 has been a crucial transportation artery for the heartland of America. Towns like Atlanta, Elkhart, and Lincoln in my district and many others across our nation have seen the Mother Road keep tourism, employment, and revenues up, leading to a higher quality of life and civic pride. It is vital that we highlight and preserve this national historic roadway for future generations, and this committee vote gets us one step closer to that goal,” said Rep. LaHood.

“Logan County has benefitted from its ability to leverage Rt. 66 for economic development purposes. Doing so has been one of the primary goals of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership. Passage of H.R. 801 is an example of the long-term economic development work the LCEDP has, and will continue, to do,” noted Thomas.

Rep. LaHood’s bill (H.R. 801) would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail, providing the highway with a permanent program to preserve, promote, and economically develop. It was introduced on February 9, 2017 with Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) as original cosponsors. The legislation now awaits a vote before the full House of Representatives.

[Bill Thomas,
Executive Director Logan County Economic Development Partnership]