ROCK ISLAND – State Senator Mike Halpin announced that over $95,000 in grant funding is coming to the Quad Cities and Macomb to increase local tourism efforts and attract visitors to the area.

“Macomb and the Quad Cities have many fun activities that can draw visitors – from the world’s largest Monopoly Board to history from the Underground Railroad,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “This funding will be a great help in bringing more visitors to these local attractions that show Western Illinois’ history and culture.”

Through many grant programs, Illinois is awarding a total of $4.6 million to 49 grantees for local tourism efforts. The International Tourism Grant Program provides funding to target advertising toward specified markets, such as Mexico, Canada, Austria and other countries, with a goal of increasing international travel to Illinois. The Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program assists in the promotion of the state’s tourism attractions, aiming to increase overnight stays in Illinois.

In the district Halpin represents, three tourism partners received funding through the programs:

• Visit Unforgettable Forgottonia received $15,589 to cover the costs of designing and printing new visitors’ guides, including for Underground Railroad history, Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area destinations and the World’s Largest Monopoly Board in Macomb. The funding will also be used for advertising costs in McDonough County.
• The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau received $25,000 to advertise the Quad Cities as “The Creative Capital of the Midwest” by highlighting the region’s culinary, music and arts scenes. The Quad Cities CVB also received $37,000 to promote culture, heritage and craftsmanship along Mississippi River destinations at international travel and trade shows.
• Great Rivers Country received $18,313 to design and print an updated guide about antiques in Illinois.

“These organizations are vital to our communities’ growth, getting the word out about everything there is to do here,” Halpin said. “This funding will strengthen efforts to promote our communities and boost our local economies.”

To view all of the funding recipients through the International Tourism Grant Program and Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, click here.