Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Museum spearhead gives optimistic progress report<br>

Now, I am happy to report, we have Congressional support that indeed looks promising. As reported in the Williams News, Congressman Rick Renzi is committed to providing federal funding for the museum. True to his word, he directed his staff to submit a request for a $19 million appropriation. That request is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives’ Labor-HHS-Education appropriation committee.

Congressman Renzi truly understands rural economic development and knows that the museum will improve the economy in many northern Arizona communities. He is dedicated to supporting us in our goal. This understanding and support is very much appreciated but we still have a long way to go. Before becoming reality the appropriation will have to be passed by the Senate. For this we need the support of Senator Kyl.

Many of you have asked how you can help. Here is your opportunity, and with that help we can do this. Please send a letter to Senator Kyl at the address below stating in your own words that you would appreciate his support of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriation for the Arizona State Railroad Museum.

Some points you may consider are: the museum is a unique rural economic development project that is very much needed to bolster the economy in northern Arizona; it will create more than 340 jobs in towns and cities from Kingman to Holbrook; generate business revenues; make substantial returns to city, county, state and federal governments through revenues generated by an annual visitation of 200 to 400,000; educate many Arizonans (particularly students) as to their ethnically diverse cultural heritage; and support Arizona museums and educational projects through grants provided by the ASRM Foundation.

The appropriation is not a handout but an investment in our future that will be repaid many times over in revenues generated and education of millions of visitors. This is well conceived and crafted plan designed to be purely community beneficial and one that will be a model for museum projects across the nation.

But in order to accomplish these worthy goals we first must have this investment in Arizona’s economy and education from the federal government. Please send your letter of support without delay to: The Honorable Jon Kyl, 730 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C., 20510.


Donate Report a Typo Contact