Who we are & where we're going.
Mission & Vision
Main Street Program
History
Walk of Fame
Events
Accomplishments
News
Your Visit to Wright-Dunbar
Contact Us
The people that make it happen.
Board of Trustees
Staff
Membership
Join our business community.
Business in the Village
Incentive Programs
Organizational Links
Buildings
Wright-Dunbar Business Village News
Wright-Dunbar receives "Preserve America" Grant
Washington, DC- Wright Dunbar, Inc., representing a collaboration of Dayton area organizations interested in cultural heritage tourism, received a 'Preserve America' grant from First Lady Laura Bush in the amount of $70,000. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage.
The Preserve America grant, will fund a 'Heritage Connectivity and Implementation Strategy' that will demonstrate the economic impact(s) of connecting the cultural heritage sites in the Dayton region and offer specific recommendations that can be implemented. The strategy will offer recommendations about how the Dayton community can maximize its tourism potential by strengthening connections among existing sites.
"The Dayton area has a lot to show off to the rest of America. We are the birthplace of aviation! In addition to the Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar sites, we have the Dayton Art Institute, Carillon Historical Park, National Museum of the US Air Force, and many other unique experiences for visitors. This grant represents a collaborative effort to take the next step in connecting our unique cultural resources," said Idotha Bootsie Neal, Executive Director of Wright Dunbar, Inc.
The grant will be matched by both in-kind and cash contributions by the collaboration of cultural heritage partners including: Aviation Heritage Foundation, Inc., National Park Service, City of Dayton, Montgomery County, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Dayton Development Coalition, Aviation Trail, Inc., Dayton/ Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dayton History, Ohio Historical Society, Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, and the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Wright-Dunbar, Inc. is the catalyst and facilitator for urban community and economic revitalization of the historic Wright-Dunbar Village and the West Third Street corridor maintaining a legacy of creativity, collaboration, and innovation of the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar.