Scenic byway panel readies kiosk copy

The Palouse Scenic Byway Committee June 26 met at the Uniontown Deli and reviewed information which will be presented in kiosks for each community.

Committee member Tim Myers suggested that members read the information and make corrections as needed.

Vicki Leeper, who represents Pullman Chamber of Commerce on the committee, reported she is working on web site videos of each community.

Videos will represent each community on the byway and will cost about $600 each. The Southeast Washington Economic Development Association is contributing $1,300 to assist smaller communities with costs. Alex McGregor also is contributing toward the cost of the videos. Leeper said the goal is to have all costs completely covered.

The videos will be used on the web site and in social media and each community can use them on their own web sites.

The Scenic Byway web site almost doubled web site visits from 4,565 in the first quarter in 2012 to 9,018 visits during the same time in 2013. The site also had 109,384 page views during the first quarter of 2013, an increase from 56,204 visits in 2012’s first quarter.

A volunteer photographer is working on photos for each community kiosk. First drafts of the editorial content for some communities’ kiosks on the byway are done and members proofed some of the drafts.

Avista will install a kiosk for the First Wind turbine site on Highway 195 south of Rosalia. They will cover the cost for the kiosk.

Part of the byway plan will route WSU Cougar sports fans through Rosalia on part of the old Spokane highway.

Next byway meeting will be at the end of July in Colfax.