Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau receives over $2 million in grants
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By Steven Spencer
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $6.3 million in grant funding that has been awarded as a part of their efforts to boost tourism in the state of Illinois.
Funding was awarded to 36 different grantees through three different grant programs including the Route 66 Grant Program, the Tourism Attractions Grant Program and the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program, with Great Rivers and Routes being awarded over $2 million.
“Whether you’re coming from down the road or across the globe, Illinois is the perfect destination for travelers,” Governor Pritzker said in a press release. “Through our tourism grant program, the State of Illinois is attracting more visitors than ever and channeling their impact to support economic growth, jobs, and community revitalization.”
Great Rivers and Routes received funding through the Route 66 Grant Program. The program and funding is to “help promote, develop, preserve, and educate visitors about assets along the Illinois Route 66 corridor in preparation for the 100th anniversary in 2026.”
According to the release, they were awarded $2,400,000 in funding that “will be utilized for state-wide promotional and marketing activities on behalf of the following certified destination marketing organizations and/or convention and visitor’s bureaus that represent a portion of Route 66 in Illinois: Choose Chicago, Discover DuPage, Oak Park Area CVB, Heritage Corridor Destinations, Bloomington Normal CVB, Lincoln Logan County CVB, Visit Springfield, Discover Downstate Illinois, and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau.”
They were also awarded $297,900 in funds that “will be utilized for registration and travel costs associated with staff to attend and participate in the International Pow Wow Conference. Remaining funds will be disbursed across six sub-awards for a variety of improvement and enhancements to existing Route 66 attraction.”
“As Illinois’ world-class tourism industry continues to grow, the State of Illinois maintains its efforts to welcome more visitors to the state through numerous grant funding opportunities,” DCEO Director Kristin Richards said. “Illinois communities will greatly benefit from these investments as millions of visitors spend billions of dollars annually across the state – bolstering local economies and supporting jobs.”
The full press release can be found online at dceo.illinois.gov/news/press-release.31448.html.
