The US-23 Huron Shores Heritage Route has received state money to develop a comprehensive tourism Web site for participating counties in the program.

The heritage route was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation in December. The grant will be used to develop the Web site for the six counties along the route - Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Alcona, Iosco and Arenac.

Denise Cline, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments GIS specialist and community planner, is providing technical assistance to the northern four counties and the overall US-23 Management Council. The East Michigan Council of Governments is assisting the southern two counties. Cline will help with Web site design, data entry and the management of the information on the site, she said.

"The Web site will be a comprehensive tourism resource for the traveler along the heritage route. It will provide different methods for a tourist to plan their trip to the coastal area of northeastern Michigan," she said. "The site will focus heavily on recreation because US-23 has a recreational heritage route destination."

Visitors will be able to search the site based on either destination or by area of Interest. The Web site will feature an interactive mapping component, which will allow people to select the types of activities they enjoy as well as a mileage radius around specific communities or within a specific county. The map will highlight things to do and places to go in the coastal counties with icons that will provide access to more information, Cline said.

Cline said the Web site will provide information such as outdoor recreational opportunities, historical points of interest, agricultural tourism, natural resource/eco-tourism opportunities and basic information about businesses including bike shops, auto service, airports, travel centers and medical services.

The Web site will have other features including a calendar of events and a place where travelers can share their experiences of what they did and where they went in the coastal communities.

NEMCOG currently is working with the Land Information Access Association of Traverse City to develop the site. The Web site could be completed within the next six months, Cline said.

"The county teams are currently in the process of gathering data for inclusion on the Web site. Any business which markets itself to tourists is encouraged to contact NEMCOG to ensure they are included on the Web site. Some businesses have already submitted their information over the past two years in anticipation of the Web site becoming a reality," she said.

Cline said the Heritage Route also has plans to pursue grant funding to develop a range of interpretive materials such as themed maps, a guide book, digital media, kiosks and other interpretive signage for placement in the six counties. The US-23 program also is coordinating its activities with a coastal coalition and Pure Michigan campaign to ensure a coordinated marketing effort.

"The US-23 Heritage Route program has become a very active program in which a great number of people have come together to coordinate their efforts to promote and tell the story of Northeast Michigan and all it has to offer," she said.

For more information on the tourism Web site or to submit data contact Cline via e-mail at dmcline@nemcog.org or by calling 732-3551.

Patty Ramus can be reached via e-mail at pramus@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.