Governor Announces $13.8 Million In Grants For Local Tourism

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that local tourism organizations across Illinois are receiving nearly $13.8 million in state funding to promote area attractions and events.

"The success of Illinois' tourism industry is largely due to the efforts of local tourism officials. My administration is committed to supporting these efforts so that we can draw even more visitors to our state," Ryan said.

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism, a division of the state Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), is providing the funding through two separate grant programs. The Local Tourism and Convention Bureau Program will divide nearly $13 million among the state's network of 39 certified Convention and Visitors Bureaus.

Another $804,000 is being awarded to 45 local governments and not-for-profit organizations to promote tourism attractions and events across the state through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Program.

"When it comes to promoting tourism in Illinois, we believe that partnering with local groups makes the most sense," DCCA Director Pam McDonough said. "About 40 percent of our tourism budget is dedicated to local efforts, and it's an investment that's paying off for our local economies. Last year, 92 of the state's 102 counties experienced an increase in tourism-related spending, and tourism statewide pumped nearly $21 billion into our economy."

The funding for local Convention and Visitors Bureaus is distributed under a formula based on population and the generation of food/beverage and hotel/motel taxes. Promotional projects funded through the program have included travel brochures, advertising, salaries, trade show expenses, toll-free hotlines and web sites.

Local tourism and convention bureaus are not-for-profit organizations or public agencies representing one or more municipalities or counties.

The Tourism Marketing Partnership Program provides matching grants for the promotion of area attractions and events three times a year. The matching grants can be used to cover up to 60 percent of the cost of promoting a tourism event or attraction, including billboard advertising, trade show participation, market studies and web site development.

DCCA receives its funding for tourism promotion efforts through a share of the state hotel/motel tax. Attached are lists of the grant recipients.

Local Tourism and Convention Bureau Program (LTCB)
Fiscal Year 2000 Grant Awards

MARKETING PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
FY 00
First Round Funding