Tourism Commissioners Considering I-55 Billboard Strategy

Tourism Committee commissioners are considering renting a series of billboards south of Arnold and along Interstate 55 to promote the city’s businesses. 

“We’re non-existent until Imperial and by then it’s almost the Arnold city limit,” said Gary Allen, who represents the hotel industry on committee. Allen owns the Ramada Inn on 2121 Ridge Road and is converting it into a senior living residence center.

“Festus has been eating our lunch and dinner for years,” Allen said to the other commissioners.

The commissioners are thinking about renting four or five signs along 270-mile section of I-55 between Arnold and Mississippi boarder.

They hope the ads will encourage people to dine or rent a hotel in Arnold as they travel along the highway.

Arnold is about a 20-minute drive from downtown St. Louis and a 30-minute drive from Six Flags, Allen said.

To be effective, the billboards must reach drivers south of Cape Girardeau, said Kelly Feldman, the Arnold Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director who joins the meeting but does not have a vote.

“It’s two hour drive and people will want a drink or use the restroom by the time they arrive in Arnold,” Feldman said about the trip from Cape Girardeau to Arnold.

Billboards near the Mississippi boarder may cost as low as $50, Feldman said. Larger billboards closer to Arnold may cost up to $2,000 per month.

Four or five businesses may want to rent a billboard together to afford the cost, Feldman said, or the tourism commission may rent a board and for local businesses to advertise.

The next Tourism Commission Meeting will be at City Hall on June 1 at 4 p.m.