ST. LOUIS, MO (December 11, 2007) - With less than a month until the I-64 closure, over 400 businesses and organizations are being proactive in lessening the construction's effect by registering at http://www.getaroundstl.com/. Funded through a MoDOT Business Access and Outreach Grant, GetAroundStL.com is St. Louis' official Web site for information on what to do and how to get there during I-64 construction. Most importantly, GetAroundStL.com is designed to keep consumers visiting area businesses, neighborhoods and attractions affected by the highway shutdown.

"Our idea is to unify the entire community, and be the center-point of communication for ways to alleviate the impact and effect of I-64 construction," says Brian Hall, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission Chief Marketing Officer.

Area businesses, organizations and attractions can post, free of charge, promotions and other information on the site -all with a single purpose of extending the invitation to their current and prospective customers: "We're open for business and it's worth the trip." For up-to-the-minute driving directions, the site offers links on every page to MoDOT's "Map My Trip" functionality - the only mapping tool with real-time road closing information.  GetAroundStL.com also offers ideas and tips on how to get around using public and alternative transportation.

Hall explains that GetAroundStL.com includes a business-to-business interface that will help retailers and events market themselves in the face of construction.  The Web site houses a variety of advertising and point-of-sale templates, all with the "GetAround" branding, that businesses can customize online to promote special incentives as well as the value in continuing to patronize local establishments.

"I heard about GetAroundStL.com at a Brentwood Chamber of Commerce meeting and quickly registered on the site because it was a way to promote the bank for free.  Free is always good," says Laura Burnet, Manager of the Brentwood Financial Center of Fifth Third Bank.  "We realize with the highway construction people will have a tough time getting to a bank during the work day, so we are using GetAroundStL.com to let people know of the bank's extended hours."

GetAroundStL.com is the centerpiece of Project Get Around, a public-private partnership spearheaded by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission and supported by Citizens for Modern Transport, Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Forest Park Forever, Gateway Arch Riverfront, Metro, RideFinders and St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.

With GetAroundStL.com's variety of traffic tips, driving directions, and outstanding offers from local businesses, the Project Get Around partnership believes the site will give St. Louisans the easiest ways to reach their favorite destinations, with an extra incentive to do so.

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