Great Rivers & Routes /tags/great-rivers-and-routes-tourism-bureau Great Rivers & Routes en-US Copyright © 2024 Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:57:12 GMT Lee Hendrix was taught to fear the Mississippi. He then spent 5 decades piloting boats on it /show/st-louis-on-the-air/2024-07-24/lee-hendrix-peep-light-book St. Louis native Lee Hendrix is the author of the new book, “Peep Light: Stories of a Mississippi River Boat Captain.” He discusses the dangerous work of starting as a deckhand and how he ascended to the pilothouse. Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:57:12 GMT /show/st-louis-on-the-air/2024-07-24/lee-hendrix-peep-light-book Alex Heuer Southwest Illinois to get $850,000 for Route 66 projects ahead of 100th anniversary /economy-business/2024-04-15/southwest-illinois-to-get-850-000-for-route-66-projects-ahead-of-100th-anniversary The biggest project for the 2026 anniversary currently funded will be in downtown Granite City. The Metro East town will revive its old neon Route 66 signs, create a music band stand and put in electric vehicle charging stations. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-04-15/southwest-illinois-to-get-850-000-for-route-66-projects-ahead-of-100th-anniversary Will Bauer Grafton, Illinois, unveils $6 million plans for new war memorial /economy-business/2023-10-11/grafton-illinois-unveils-6-million-plans-for-new-war-memorial Grafton’s mayor said the city has raised about $130,000 so far. If the city meets its goals, it will finish the new memorial, museum and plaza in the next four years. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:38:50 GMT /economy-business/2023-10-11/grafton-illinois-unveils-6-million-plans-for-new-war-memorial Will Bauer Southwest Illinois' tourism generated record economic growth last year /economy-business/2023-10-03/southwest-illinois-tourism-generates-record-economic-growth-last-year Along with the rest of the state, southwest Illinois’ tourism industry continues to see a solid bounce back following a pandemic lull, according to the latest figures released for 2022. Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:24:00 GMT /economy-business/2023-10-03/southwest-illinois-tourism-generates-record-economic-growth-last-year Will Bauer An Edwardsville service station on historic Route 66 is revived as museum /culture-history/2023-06-09/an-edwardsville-service-station-on-historic-route-66-is-revived-as-museum A piece of restored Edwardsville history is making its debut Friday. The West End Service Station is reopening as a museum and interpretive center for people to learn about its history as a hub along the Route 66 corridor, in anticipation of the road’s 100th anniversary in 2026. Fri, 09 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT /culture-history/2023-06-09/an-edwardsville-service-station-on-historic-route-66-is-revived-as-museum Marissanne Lewis-Thompson Piasa Park in Alton to get up to $6.5 million in renovations and additions /economy-business/2023-03-28/piasa-park-in-alton-to-get-up-to-6-5-million-renovations-and-additions The project includes a new visitors center for the city and outdoor gathering areas. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 23:20:08 GMT /economy-business/2023-03-28/piasa-park-in-alton-to-get-up-to-6-5-million-renovations-and-additions Will Bauer Driven By E-Commerce, Metro East Warehousing Thrived During Pandemic /economy-business/2021-05-18/driven-by-e-commerce-metro-east-warehousing-thrived-during-pandemic Warehousing in the region saw big gains with changing consumer habits, while hospitality and tourism-related businesses are struggling to increase staffing ahead of a likely busy tourist season. Tue, 18 May 2021 21:28:24 GMT /economy-business/2021-05-18/driven-by-e-commerce-metro-east-warehousing-thrived-during-pandemic Eric Schmid