This Notice of Funding Opportunity funds projects aimed at revitalizing the hard-hit tourism industry by bringing back new and returning tourism attractions and festivals to their state.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic development
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/23/2022
Size of the Grant: $15,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 year
Details:
The Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program is made possible with support of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is part of a broader effort underway to help reinvigorate tourism in Illinois, and is putting businesses in this industry and beyond on a path to economic recovery from COVID-19. Grants up to $500,000 will be awarded to establish and enhance tourism attractions or festivals.
Tourism Attractions are defined as fishing and hunting areas, State parks, historical/cultural sites, areas of historic or scenic interest, museums, recreation areas, botanical gardens, theme/amusement parks, interpretive programs and other facilities or businesses that attract or serve visitors that are open to the public for a minimum of 100 days per year and are marketed and promoted to visitors from more than 50 miles away.
Tourism Events are defined as an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased economic impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays.
Applicants can apply in one of two categories:
- Tourism Attractions
- Tourism Festivals and Events
This is the second year of funding for this program. $5 million of the $15 million will be allocated for the Festivals and Events category. The department will also set aside at least 30 percent of the available funds for projects located outside the Northeast region (Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, Will, Kankakee, and Grundy Counties). Priority will also be given to areas that have experienced declines in hotel tax revenue comparing 2021 to 2019.
Funding Information
- Total amount of funding expected to be award through this NOFO is $15,000,000.
- Awards will range from $15,000 to $500,000.
- The period of performance is expected to be July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants include:
- Units of local government;
- Counties;
- Municipalities;
- Not-for-profit organizations;
- Local promotion groups; and
- For-profit businesses.
For more information, visit IDCED.
