The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byways welcomes two new Portal Communities!  

 
Chillicothe and Manito are now part of a grassroots effort to strengthen and grow our visitor-based economy.  These portal communities will join the existing seven Gateway Communities along the byway and help secure federal and state funds for tourism development and bring additional tourism dollars to our communities.

The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway is a grassroots economic development program, supporting the growth of businesses and communities, along the byway corridor, through tourism and experiential marketing. While the Scenic Byway has received significant support through federal and state grants, these grants require matching dollar support from public and private sources. 

Both Chillicothe and Manito will soon have highway signage denoting them as  Scenic Byway Portal Communities.  They will be promoted as an integral component of the “Scenic Byway experience” as a place to stop, shop, dine and explore through.  They will have the opportunity to participate in the interpretive kiosk program as a Portal Community and be part of an upcoming business study and gap analysis.

The Illinois River Road program needs the support of communities like this to succeed.  As a part of the National Scenic Byways Program these communities will have access to resources to help manage the intrinsic qualities within the broader Byway corridor to be treasured and shared.  This is all part of a collaborative regional effort to promote the natural, historical and other unique qualities of the region, both as a travel route and a destination.

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The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations throughout the Illinois River Valley, beginning in Ottawa and ending 140 miles south in Havana. The Byway showcases great places where visitors and residents alike can go to discover and experience the nature of the region.  Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway is a program of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois.