By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The state is sending $1.4 million here to support five projects designed to promote tourism and bring new attractions to the city.
The money includes $500,000 for the city of Rockford to build an open canopy stage on the Great Lawn in Davis Park, which is part of the city’s multifaceted makeover of the downtown park that includes a new boat dock, skate park, walking paths, sun-bathing beach, splash pads and space for food trucks.
Another $500,000 will go toward GT Partners’ plans to renovate the historic Times Theater in downtown. The developers previously got $3 million from the state in August to go toward fixing the 85-year-old theater at 224 N. Main St.
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The money is part of $22.5 million awarded for 89 projects across Illinois through the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. This year, the state increased the funding by $7.5 million to support additional attractions. The General Assembly decided in January to increase the funding with the money coming from the federal American Rescue Plan.
“When we invest in projects like these — it reverberates beyond just one event or exhibit,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a news release. “It benefits entire communities — from small businessowners who get to attract more customers to families with young children who get to enjoy all that Illinois has to offer.”
Also included in the funding is $150,000 to modify and expand parking at Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, and $15,000 to support the Discovery Center Museum’s plans for an interactive Willow Garden Kaleidoscope sculpture in the outdoor science park outside of the museum, 711 N. Main St.
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The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau was also awarded $235,000 for this year’s CRE8IV: Transformational Art mural initiative, which has brought 36 murals to the Rockford region since launching in 2019. The money will go toward a new festival put on as part of CRE8IV 2023.
At a glance | Funding for Rockford attractions
| Recipient | Amount | Quick description |
| Anderson Japanese Gardens
|
$150,000
|
Parking modification
|
| City of Rockford
|
$500,000
|
Open canopy stage at Davis Park
|
| Discovery Center Museum
|
$15,000
|
Outdoor kaleidoscope sculpture
|
| GT Partners
|
$500,000
|
Times Theater restoration
|
| Rockford visitors bureau | $235,000 | CRE8IV mural festival |
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas