LINCOLN, NEB. (December 15, 2005) - The Federal Highway Administration has approved the transfer of $334,000 in highway enhancement dollars for the construction of an interpretive center in Broken Bow. Located along Nebraska Highway 2 in central Nebraska, the center will serve as an educational portal for the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, a 272-mile stretch of highway from Grand Island to Alliance. The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway is one of nine designated byways in Nebraska.

The grant, administered through the Nebraska Department of Roads, requires a 20% local dollar investment, yet also presents significant economic opportunities for the area. Broken Bow economic development leaders secured 14 acres of donated land, donation of a historic barn to serve as the center, and local donations in excess of $30,000. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for late summer 2006.

According to Jim Pearson, Nebraska Scenic Byways Program coordinator, members of the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway (particularly those in the Broken Bow area), were very convincing in promoting the Sandhills story and need for an interpretive center to Nebraska Department of Roads leaders in Lincoln, and decision makers at the Federal Highway Administration in Washington D.C. "The energy and enthusiasm were clearly evident to enable the Sandhills story to be interpreted and told to thousands of travelers on Highway 2," said Pearson.

"The Nebraska Byways Program is important for economic development in rural areas since travelers spend money on lodging, meals, attractions and events," said Dan Curran, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Travel and Tourism Division. The Nebraska Byways Program is designed to showcase outstanding archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic sites along Nebraska's two-lane highways. Highway 2 was deemed one of the 10 most scenic roads in the United States by the late Charles Kuralt, best known for his critically acclaimed series "On The Road" television "essays" on America.

For information on development of the interpretive center, contact Doug Campbell or Sandy Christensen at (308) 872-2232 or (308) 870-2959.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Twyla Witt, 402-471-3791 or 800-228-4307