Several spots on Route 66 in Illinois were among the 89 that will receive a total of $22.5 million from the state’s Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program.
Also, several Route 66 sites also received funds from the state’s Transportation Enhancement Program.
Here are the Route 66-related tourism recipients and the total grant:
- $25,187 to Logan County Tourism Bureau for improvements to The Mill Museum in Lincoln;
- $500,000 to Route History Inc. for the construction of the Imagine Route 66 History building in Springfield;
- $37,534 to the City of Atlanta for the construction of a new Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop on the grounds of the American Giants Museum.
The full list of recipients can be found here.
As for the transportation grants, here are the Route 66-related ones:
- $940,800 for Route 66 Trail, Phase 6, bike and pedestrian trail in Edwardsville. Construct a shared-use path from the intersection of Saint Louis Street and Illinois 157 (West Street) to Second Street.
- $2.68 million for McLean County’s Historic Route 66 Bikeway. Extend the Route 66 Bikeway from Bloomington to Shirley, and from Shirley to Funks Grove.
The full list of those $127.9 million in grants can be found here.
According to a news release from the Illinois Department of Commerce:
This second round of the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program provides grant funding to localities, organizations and businesses for a broad range of tourism-related improvements, events and activities. This builds upon $10 million in funding through the first round of the grant program provided to 40 localities across the state. Combined with Illinois’ largest-ever tourism campaign, ‘Middle of Everything,’ Illinois is prioritizing investing in our thriving tourism industry while driving millions of visitors to choose Illinois for their next trip. […]
“Whether people are traveling to Illinois to visit the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, take a drive down the historic Route 66, or check out the world-renowned architecture in Chicago, Illinois has it all,” said DCEO Director Kristin A. Richards. “The State of Illinois is committed to bolstering the tourism sector by supporting the best festivals and attractions in the country that will show visitors from near and far that Illinois is the best place to live, work and do business.”
The news release also notes that hotel-tax collections are on track to break a record this year. It also stated the “Middle of Everything” tourism campaign has led to additional 2 million trips and $1 billion in spending at Illinois hotels, restaurants, small businesses and attractions. Each $1 spent on the campaign equated to $91 in visitor spending.
As for the transportation grants, the news release stated:
Projects were awarded based on their readiness and ability to connect to transportation networks and other economic drivers, as well as secure public support and provide public benefits. Additional consideration was given to projects serving areas with higher needs, based on population totals, percentage below the poverty level and estimated median household income.
IDOT received 213 applications for projects worth an estimated $337 million for the current cycle. The next call for projects will come in late 2024, with a 2025 award announcement.
(Image of The Mill Museum in Lincoln, Illinois, in 2019 after one of its windmill blades underwent repairs)