Oklahoma Historical Society

PROJECT PURPOSE

ARPA-Rt66-2102 - Exhibits - The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is the premiere museum dedicated to the history of the Mother Road. The museum is a top draw for visitors to the state and draws a large number of foreign visitors traveling Route 66. One of the popular features of the museum is the theater room. The space will be redesigned to create the atmosphere of a drive-in theater with car seats for the theater experience. All projector and sound equipment will be upgraded as well.

EVIDENCE

Our projects utilize local or regional contractors to perform the work and draw local, state and national visitation to the area thus boosting the local economy from construction activities and tourism for the area and state.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The communities and local businesses around this site were impacted by the state shutdown and the decline of tourism as a result of the COVID pandemic. The local communities, municipalities and businesses lost revenue from sales, lodging, taxes and other tourism related benefits. This project benefits everyone by employing local businesses to create or improve local attractions and facilities to improve local tourism and community programing. More majority of the population of 29,003 in Custer County live in the communities of Weatherford, the largest city (12,076) and Clinton (9,217) where the museum is located. The population of the county has remained constant over the past several years, but is increasing located in the two large cities. The median age of the population is 31.4 and the median household income is $53,119. The median household income in Clinton is $47,991. 12% of the county population live in poverty, and unemployment is 3.5%.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by visitation statistics with our current monthly statistical tracking system and tracking earned income at the site.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma