Marketplace®
Every story is an economic story

Towns along Route 66 are concerned about their future

Congress is considering legislation that would preserve grant funding for the towns.

A road marking of the historic Route 66 sign is seen painted on the street of the town of Kingman, Arizona.
A road marking of the historic Route 66 sign is seen painted on the street of the town of Kingman, Arizona.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images

Dozens of towns along Route 66 — once known as “Main Street of America,” stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California — went from boom towns to ghost towns when a four-lane interstate was built, bypassing them. A federal grant has helped businesses in these towns, but that’s scheduled to end in the fall. It’s not clear whether new supportive measures will be put in place.

Related Topics

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Marketplace
    2 hours ago
    25:22
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    10 hours ago
    7:09
  • Million Bazillion
    15 hours ago
    30:57
  • Marketplace Tech
    15 hours ago
    12:45
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    6 days ago
    28:44
  • Make Me Smart
    4 months ago
    24:33