By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – It’s been two years since the Route 66 Visitors Center in downtown Bloomington opened and it’s managers are trumpeting its economic impact.

Cruisin’ with Lincoln saw a 50-percent increase in visitors last year – more than 27,000 – generating an estimated $860,000 for the community. That’s in addition to the $850,000 spent on its construction.

“The Museum and Visitors Center welcomed guests from more than 50 countries, 45 states, and communities across Illinois. Among the visitors who signed our guest book, 82 percent came from outside of McLean County,” said Visitors Center Manager Joe McDonnell. “We saw a four-percent increase in our international traffic year to year.”

Director of Marketing and Community Outreach Jeff Woodard said the museum’s addition of the three new permanent exhibits, ‘Making a Home,’ ‘Abraham Lincoln in McLean County,’ and ‘Farming in the Great Corn Belt’ also attributed to the increase in attendance.

“We’ve been able to convince (visitors) to stay downtown for lunch and we give them choices of restaurants to go to,” Woodard said. “This happens a lot.”

Woodard added the museum has started Sunday visiting hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a pilot program and that will continue through September to cover the peak Route 66 travel season.

“Heritage tourism dollars are a boost to our local economy through spending on meals, hotel rooms, fuel, and other activities,” said Museum Executive Director Beth Whisman. “We hope new activities along our portion of the Illinois Route 66 Red, White, and Blue Corridor will generate even more interest.”

Route 66 communities from Normal to Springfield will be taking part in Lincoln’s Festival on Route 66 July 14-16 to encourage travelers to explore the Mother Road. Museum officials said the weekend will complement similar events on the existing Red Carpet Corridor to the north and the Blue Carpet Corridor to the south.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].