By HDN Editorial Board
A wonderful opportunity is coming our way.
In fact, we're sitting on the road of opportunity, or rather, the trail, the official Lewis and Clark Trail. More tourists than we've ever seen will be heading down U.S. Highway 2 when the Corps of Discovery's amazing trip is celebrated by our nation from 2003 to 2006.
This is our chance to show the rest of our country what a wonderful, proud people we are, and to put our best on display.
Are we ready?
Let's not underestimate this opportunity. Most visitors to Montana don't come over the northern route. For most people, it's out of the way. But with the journey of Lewis and Clark in mind, many more visitors will have incentive to travel Highway 2. If we do our very best, we can establish a reputation for the Hi-Line with many more travelers. That means more future tourism, more money spent in our struggling communities, and the potential of more people and businesses locating here.
What can we do? We have lots of fine attractions, but we can make them better. For instance, how about a better script for the tour guides at Havre Beneath the Streets. There's a lot of history in those underground rooms but the presenters only give visitors a small taste.
Can we find the money to hire a curator for the Clack Museum? That wonderful place would benefit from professional help.
We can make our downtown shine, make the most of the lovely old buildings that are the core of our town.
Are we making sure that all of our attractions are being marketed in every good venue.
This is no pie in the sky. Unlike the ball field in "Field of Dreams" or the vision some have for Highway 2 if it is ever widened, this is no "build it and they will come" scenario. They're coming anyway, so we'd better be ready.
