With world recognition coming up, the visitors bureau wants new signs all over the county. Kevin Coleman was at the Ross County Commissioners' meeting Monday.
Melody Young, director of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau, asked the county commissioners to help fund 94 "wayfinding" signs to help travelers know where they are - since many are expected to visit, after the UN acknowledges our prehistoric earthworks in September.
Young said the signs are not just for those sites, but the entire community, to welcome visitors and let them know where they are in Ross County.
With the cost of about $682,000, she's asking for $200,000 from the county as well as Chillicothe. She says the city is positive about that, and the commissioners said they would give her an answer at the end of the day. The visitors bureau will fund the other $200,000, and find other funds for the remaining costs.
Young says a small committee took 15 months to think this through, and hired a company to design and produce the large number of signs - partly using American Rescue Plan Act funds (Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds). Find the eight-page booklet on the sign program on their website.
The signs identify major tourist attractions and each Ross County town, as well as the Hopewell earthworks parks - and if funded, could be up by the end of July, in time for the World Heritage inscription in September, and local celebration in October.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman
1 of 3 With world recognition coming up, the visitors bureau wants new signs all over the county. Click on this for a link to more information and the booklet.
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