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OXFORD — In an attempt to attract tourists to the county's western edge, residents are working to lure an Ohio Scenic Byway designation to some Oxford-area roads.

Bonita Porter, one of the residents involved, is planning a route that would connect the Historic National Road (U.S. 40) to the Ohio River Scenic Byway that runs along U.S. 50 and U.S. 52. Scenic byways are established through the Federal Highway Administration to help recognize, preserve and protect U.S. roads.

Areas with one or more archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities have the potential to earn scenic byway classification. If selected, signs are posted on roadways designating it a scenic byway.

"The point is to increase tourism to rural areas and thereby increasing the economic welfare of rural residents from farm people to restaurants and hotels," Porter said.

During last week's Oxford Twp. Trustee meeting, Porter met with the trustees to request a letter of support for the byway application. She and others are reaching out to governing bodies across the county to build a groundswell of support for the plan.

The Oxford Twp. Trustees agreed to write a letter to the state byway coordinator after Porter's presentation. Trustee Larry Frimerman said a scenic byway is a "win-win situation."

"It doesn't create any new roads, paths or hurdles," Frimerman said. "It doesn't cost anyone anything ... (The trustees) don't make many public policy decisions that are quite this easy."

A preliminary path would follow Indian Creek Road into Brookville Road with a split at Route 732 and Brown Road that re-converges above Hueston Woods State Park. Porter told trustees such a route could incorporate the Black Covered Bridge and some of Miami University's historic areas.

Porter, who has been working on the project for two months, hopes to have a formal plan submitted by March 2007. She said if a byway were approved, it could spark the growth of small businesses along its route.

"We want to preserve the rural character," Porter said. "Hopefully this can restore some of the little downtown areas ... someone might want to open up a restaurant."

Earning the scenic byway title also will open the doorway for state and federal grant opportunities for agritourism and historic-tourism.

"Part of this is to build partnerships around communities," Porter said. "This give us that opportunity. It's a fun thing to do to give tourism a boost in this area."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or jgiordano@coxohio.com.