The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to award grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/16/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
Preference will be given to projects that:
- Are statewide in nature and benefit the entire Illinois portion of Route 66 from Chicago to Chain of Rocks Bridge.
- Develop new or enhance existing attractions that elevate the Route 66 experience in Illinois for visitors.
- Support improved wayfinding for visitors traveling Route 66.
- Support projects related to IPW 2025 in Chicago.
- Strengthen future tourism trends that includes electrified transportation (i.e., electric
- vehicles and preferably super chargers.
Funding Information
This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by Public Act 103-0589. The total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $4,000,000. Awards will range from $20,000 to $300,000. The Department expects to make seven (7) awards through this NOFO.
Grant Period
The period of performance is expected to be November 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Grant Period
The period of performance is expected to be November 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Eligible Projects
Eligible Projects and Activities include, but are not limited to:
- Travel – Travel-related expenses associated with the project scope by the Grantee’s employees, as identified within the application.
- Equipment – Purchase and/or lease of equipment to be used or installed as part of the project, including associated labor/installation/training costs, as identified within the application.
- Contractual Services – Specific one-time contracts for provision of services necessary for completion of the Grant-funded project, as identified within the application.
- Consultant (Professional Services) – Specific one-time contracts for provision of services necessary for completion of the Grant-funded project, as identified within the application;
- Construction – Costs associated with construction, renovation, and/or preservation of buildings for creating or enhancing a tourism attraction, as identified within the application.
- Research & Development – Costs associated with any relevant research needed to enhance the Route 66 experience in Illinois and to help with readiness for the route’s 100th anniversary, as identified within the application.
- Miscellaneous Costs – Costs necessary for completion of the project which cannot be easily broken out into or covered by other individual/specific budgetary line items, as identified within application.
- Familiarization tours for media and trade on Route 66 as identified within the application.
- Advertising and Marketing Related Costs – Only one (1) single application may be submitted for advertising and marketing costs associated with statewide travel-related promotional materials and advertising on various media types regarding the 100th anniversary of Route 66, as identified within the application, on behalf of all the statewide CVBs along Route 66. This application must be done in partnership with the Illinois Office of Tourism. This may also include project management, trade show booth costs including registration costs for all participants attending to staff the booth as well as costs needed to participate in IPW Chicago in 2025. Any use of the Route 66 Centennial logo must follow the brand requirements. If logo is used for collaborative merchandise, printers/production must be union and/or union-made in America.
Eligibility Criteria
Only certified Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) whose purpose is solely to market and promote their specific regions as a travel destination are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit DCEO.
