Rockford Lands $100K Grant to Promote Tourism

Rockford has spent years trying to change the way outsiders see our city, and a new effort could help put more eyes on everything this community has to offer.

Rockford's Bad Rap

A lot of people, residents included, love to talk smack about Rockford, Illinois... constantly. I don't happen to be one of those people.

Yes, Rockford has problems. Every city does.

I've never understood why Rockford residents spend so much time complaining about the city they live in.

If you're not willing to work for change or you can't move out of Rockford, why not focus on the good things about your city instead of the bad? Sounds like a much happier way to live to me, but that's a debate for a different day.

The truth is Rockford has way more going for it than many people realize or ever give it credit for, and now new grant money will be aiming to change that.

IRONMAN 70.3 Illinois - Rockford — Getty Images for IRONMAN

Rockford Received Grant to Promote Tourism

One of the funniest things about living in Rockford is that we can become so accustomed to our own backyard that we forget how many things there actually are to do here.

We have amazing restaurants and places like Anderson Japanese Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, Burpee Museum, Discovery Center, and Midway Village Museum.

Then there's the cool historical stuff like the Coronado Theatre, the Rockford Peaches and Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House.

Here comes the good news.

State Senator Steve Stadelman recently announced that Go Rockford has received a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to help boost tourism in the city.

An article from mystateline.com says: "Go-Rockford will use the grant to fund a multi-platform marketing campaign titled “Rockford Signature Events.”

Why Should Rockford Residents Care?

When people come to Rockford for an event like Stroll On State or Ironman, they spend money at local restaurants, hotels, stores, gas stations and other businesses.

Go Rockford's marketing campaign will be designed to show Rockford is a place worth visiting, and hopefully, start to change the perception of our city.

Will a $100,000 tourism grant magically solve every problem Rockford has? Of course not, but it could remind people that Rockford, Illinois is a lot more interesting than the punchlines and stereotypes would have you believe... and that's a very positive thing!