At the beginning of the year, President and CEO of of Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB), John Groh said he anticipates it will probably be until 2024 for Rockford tourism numbers to be back to where they were before the pandemic.

Well, maybe last night’s announcement in Rockford City Council that councilors approved $ 300,000 in additional funding for the RACVB will help speed up that schedule.

When you consider that the RACVB will raise an additional $ 300,000 in private donations to help cover the city’s additional funding, we have what it takes to make a pretty hefty tourism war chest.

For those wondering where the money is coming from Daily Herald Reports that the $ 300,000 came from a leftover cash balance in the city’s tourism fund, generated from a 5% tax on hotel stays.

Having lived in this area my entire life, I’ve noticed over the years that the toughest people in Rockford are the people who live here, not the people from all of the Midwest and beyond plan to visit us. Those who struggle to say nice things about Forest City should check out just a few of the things people jump into their vehicles to see:

  • Anderson Japanese Gardens
  • Rockford Art Museum
  • Burpee Museum of Natural History
  • Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens
  • Midway Village Museum
  • Rock Cut State Park
  • Klehm Arboretum and Botanical Garden
  • The Coronado Performing Arts Center
  • Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

Rockford’s impending tourism surge comes at the same time as Illinois as a whole is trying to market itself as a road trip destination in a $ 6 million campaign called Time For Me To Drive.

See the must-drive streets in each state

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