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Mississippi River Parkway Commission
eNewsletter | March 2009 |
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Mission/ Vision Statement
Preserving, promoting and enhancing the Mississippi River Parkway for communities and travelers.
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| Message from the Pilot |
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Looking ahead to 2009 and beyond, I would like to stress the importance of attending the national meetings. If we are to continue to move ahead as an organization, it is crucial that we periodically come together. I am committed to continuing to plan and execute our national meetings in a way that makes them affordable, productive, efficient and hopefully enjoyable for all attendees. The work of our committees is important and being able to discuss the work plans and exchange ideas at a couple of yearly meetings - face to face - will strengthen our organization.
Please contact me if you have any concerns or ideas of ways we can improve our efficiency and better serve all of you. Learn about the upcoming semi-annual meeting in Memphis, April 17-18.
See you in Memphis.
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| Message from the Pilot Pro Tem |
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Last year, the MRPC created the MRPC Endowment, providing friends of the Great River Road and the Mississippi River Parkway Commission to help support the work of our organization through donations to an endowment fund. The establishment of the Endowment ensures a more secure future for the MRPC and the Great River Road for generations to come. Consider the MRPC Endowment in your future giving as a gift or memorial. Learn more about the Endowment.
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| Committee Notes |
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2009 Work Plan:
Access the current year’s work plan to find the tactics and strategies for each working committee.
Marketing Committee:
Based on the success of the MRPC 70th anniversary geocaching contest, the marketing committee will continue to promote geocaching in the 10 states. Likewise, the marketing committee will partner with the ERA Committee to promote agritourism.
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Environment, Recreation and Agriculture Committee:
Currently, the ERA Committee is working toward completion of a 10-state agritourism inventory. The WI MRPC recently submitted an NSB grant application that would provide marketing funds to promote the inventory through the website - experiencemississippiriver.com and a printed brochure. The committee is also drafting guidelines for a new stewardship award.
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Culture & Heritage Committee:
Late in 2008, the Culture & Heritage Committee recommended that five new sites be added to the GRR Interpretive Center Network, based on applications submitted in late summer. Congratulations to the following new centers and their respective state commissions:
• Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in Wilson, Arkansas
• The Lakeport Plantation in Lake Village, Arkansas
• The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Minnesota
• The Parkin Archeological State Park Museum, Parkin, Arkansas
• The Potosi Brewing Company Interpretive Center and Transportation Museum in Potosi, Wisconsin
This brings the current total of Interpretive Centers to 69.
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Transportation Committee:
The Transportation Committee has developed a “Benefits of the National Scenic Byway Designation” presentation to assist those states working towards NSB designation. The presentation is also designed to educate stakeholders and GRR Commissioners in states that already have designation but may not have taken full advantage of all the opportunities available to them. Another useful presentation developed by the Transportation Committee is titled, “Applying Context Sensitive Solutions to the Great River Road.” The presentation is designed for use by transportation agencies, the MRPC and local stakeholders to help guide project development that is inclusive of the Byway’s intrinsic qualities and traveler needs. Link to the Reports & Resources page to download these presentations.
Mississippi River Country: (MRC)
Who are they and how are they affiliated with the MRPC?
The MRC is comprised of the 10 Mississippi River state tourism offices. The MRPC & MRC share a national office, domestic website and toll-free telephone number. Although both organizations pay separate dues and maintain different budgets, both organizations exist because of their cooperative partnerships with the other nine states along the Mississippi River.
The MRC focuses their marketing efforts on bringing Japanese visitors to the Mississippi River states, as well as group travel. They have made numerous additions to the experiencemississippiriver website. The MRC markets to website visitors who sign up for a monthly e-newsletter. Click here to view the current or past enewsletter.
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| State Updates |
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Minnesota
Minnesota has just published a MN GRR “Explorer’ Guide.” The booklet will be distributed through 50 outlets, including 8 GRR Interpretive Centers in MN. Guide includes activities and information for kids and adults. MN-MRPC is pleased to announce Interpretive Center certification for Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
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Kentucky
Corridor management plan completed, reviewed by KY D.O.T. and scenic byway coordinator and forwarded to the Federal level for review.
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Wisconsin
A total of $950,000 in grants has been awarded along GRR from NSB, including a marketing grant to reach a younger demographic of traveler. The WI delegation is pleased with the marketing efforts of their promotion committee - it is a strong volunteer group that is committed to developing inovative marketing strategies and partnership building.
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Tennessee
TN DOT approved GRR route and corridor management plan. Application has been submitted for NSB designation consideration. Exciting activities are being planned for attendees of the April 17-18 meeting in Memphis - don’t miss it!
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Iowa
More than $1 million in NSB grant awards. Projects along the GRR included Louisa Interpretive Center, George Verity Preservation Project, Montrose Pavilion Project and the Mississippi River Bluff-Top Observation Deck.
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Arkansas
Received $560,000 in NSB grants, with $510,000 to include various coordinated efforts through the 10-state Culture & Heritage Committee, with work on oral histories and updating interpretive center signage.
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Illinois
A total of $100,000 in NSB grants awarded in late 2008. Currently updating kiosks located along the GRR. The Illinois delegation is in the process of bringing on new members.
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Mississippi
The Mississippi State Legislature has approved legislation that adds DeSoto and Tunica Counties to the Mississippi Delta Great River Road State Scenic Byway. The Lower Mississippi Historic National Scenic Byway has made application to the extend the current byway north from Warren County to the Tennessee State Line.
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Missouri
The Missouri delegation was recently able to pay its 2009 membership dues, and is now seeking funding for 2010. At the March 2009 meeting in Jefferson City there were representatives present from the departments of Transportation, Economic Development, Tourism, Parks and Conservation. Representatives from the Trail of Tears State Park reported on work at the park in the aftermath of the severe winter ice storm. The commission anticipates that the recent transition in Jefferson City holds
promise for funding in the future.
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Louisiana
The newly appointed Louisiana delegation held its first meeting in January, 2009. Eight of the nine commissioners were able to attend and be educated on the history and objectives of the MRPC, benefits of being a member and what we are doing to get national byway designation for our GRR.
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| Announcements & Reminders |
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2009 Semi-Annual Meeting - April 17 & 18, Memphis, Tennessee. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the springtime in Memphis. New for this year is a shorter ending time. We will conclude the meeting in the late afternoon on the second day. Get your registration form today.
National Meeting Reminder - Spouses and guests must register and pay all registration fees prior to the meetings, just as delegates. Having an accurate head count for all meals is crucial in helping us keep our meetings affordable.
Relaunch of MRPC members site. Visit www.mrpcmember.com to see the new design, including some new features that should help all of us stay more connected and informed.
In our thoughts - Please keep Alvin Meyer from Arkansas in your thoughts. Alvin recently resigned as a commissioner due to terminal health issues.
Charles H."Charlie" Dietrich, 88, of Cassville, WI passed away on Saturday March 14th, 2009.Charlie was an enthusiastic and tireless supporter of the Wisconsin GRR and served as a WiMRPC Commissioner for many years. He worked closely with former MRPC Pilot Penny Eckstein on the location and development of the GRR in Grant County and in establishing the Cassville Ferry.
Upcoming Reminders
Semi-Annual Meeting - Hotel reservation extended deadline - March 27
Semi-Annual Meeting - Early bird registration deadline - April 1
Semi-Annual Meeting in Memphis, TN - April 17 & 18
Annual Meeting in Red Wing, MN - September 25 & 26
Please contact the national office with information for future enewsletters. |
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