ROUTE 6 GROUP MEETS WEDNESDAY

Members of Potter County's U.S. Rt. 6 "stakeholders" group will hold their next meeting at 7:00 Wednesday night at the Potter County Education Council office in Coudersport.

The heritage tourism concept, geared toward attracting visitors through an emphasis on local history and interesting cultural and natural attractions, has worked well in dozens of U.S. communities.

Austin, Coudersport and Galeton have been designated as heritage communities, qualifying them for inclusion in regional and statewide tourist promotion campaigns based on local history.

The organization has conducted a business survey, developed heritage themes that can attract tourists and worked to inventory Potter County's historic structures and districts.

Local work groups who have brainstormed on the plans have identified the following needs: zoning and land development ordinances to protect communities, natural beauty and dark skies; a onestop county visitors' center; additional arts and culture; downtown revitalization and support of local businesses, and county leadership committed to heritage tourism.

Meetings of the Stakeholders Group are open to the public and additional volunteers are welcome to join.