Ryan Awards $111,900 Grant to Kankakee Valley Park District

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that Kankakee County will receive a $111,900 tourism grant to light the Kankakee Valley Park District Baseball Diamonds.

"Through support from the state, local governments across Illinois are able to enhance and promote attractions and events that bring in more visitors and pump more money into our economy," Ryan said.

The lighting will provide an additional opportunity for the community to bid on sporting events that can be held through the day and night, therefore, expanding their opportunity to create overnight stays.

The grant was awarded through the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs' (DCCA) Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program, which provides municipalities, local not-for-profit groups, and for-profit tourism related businesses financial assistance to make improvements to attractions that draw visitors to an area.

"Having sites that people want to visit is what drives communities to upgrade their attractions," DCCA Director Pam McDonough said. "By adding lights to these baseball diamonds, we're giving Kankakee another tool to attract events that will enhance the local tourism industry."

The lights will be installed at the baseball diamonds near the Kankakee Community College off of Interstate 57.