SANTA FE, NM – New Mexico communities, tourism-related entities and interested stakeholders wishing to contribute to the state’s Route 66 Centennial efforts can now submit projects and activities to the state for consideration.

The Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group was established by Executive Order in 2023 for the purpose of identifying projects and activities that align with the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Projects and activities submitted for review that meet the evaluation criteria will be endorsed by the Coordination Group and submitted to the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission as an official Route 66 Centennial project. Projects and activities certified by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission will be featured in national and international promotions and may be considered for additional support from the federal government.

Projects and activities submitted for review must align with at least one of the four priority themes identified by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission: commemoratives & publications, events & celebrations, international & national marketing and infrastructure.

Additionally, the Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group identified its own scoring criteria to evaluate projects for potential endorsement, such as community support, project readiness, potential to generate tourism demand among other factors.

“Our job as members of the state’s Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group was to provide a forum for residents to share their ideas and perspective on projects that will best serve our efforts to celebrate the Route 66 Centennial for New Mexico,” said Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group Vice Chair Raymond Mondragon. “We’ve been pleased with the participation we have seen in New Mexico communities along Route 66 and we’re looking forward to reviewing creative and engaging projects that celebrates New Mexico’s special place in Route 66 history and heritage.”

The Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group has already hosted four stakeholder meetings in New Mexico communities since February 20, 2024. Each stakeholder meeting offers residents the opportunity to participate in open discussion to brainstorm ideas for promotions, product development, infrastructure investments and more in preparation for the Route 66 Centennial in 2026.

The Coordination Group hosted meetings in Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, and will be hosting its next stakeholder meeting for the Grants/Gallup community on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 515 W High Street, Grants, NM 87020. Residents and community stakeholders in the Grants/Gallup area who wish to attend the stakeholder meeting on Nov. 19 are encourage to RSVP for the meeting.

Residents and community stakeholders can submit projects through the New Mexico Tourism Department website. Applications for projects and activities will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The Route 66 Centennial Coordination Group will begin reviewing project submissions after the Nov. 19 stakeholder meeting in Grants.