BLOOMINGTON – State Senator Dave Koehler is excited to share that nearly $500,000 is coming to Bloomington-Normal to promote local tourism, attract international visitors and enhance destinations along historic Route 66.
“Route 66 has connected people to communities like ours for a century, and its anniversary gives us an incredible opportunity to introduce even more visitors to everything Bloomington-Normal has to offer,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “These investments will help preserve the character and history that make our region special while bringing more visitors through the doors of our local restaurants, shops and attractions.”
In total, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $4.6 million to 49 tourism organizations across the state through three tourism investment grant programs.
Through the Route 66 Grant Program, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive $351,794 to support nine projects along the historic highway. The investments will preserve and enhance attractions along the roadway, including restoration of Lexington’s historic Oasis Drive-In sign and site and continued restoration of Sprague’s Super Service in Normal, one of the county’s best-known Route 66 landmarks. Funding will also support visitor amenities, public art, improvements to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and dog watering stations at Bloomington’s Miller Park.
The Bloomington-Normal Area CVB will receive an additional $51,806 through the International Tourism Grant Program to promote the region to travelers abroad. Funding will support international digital advertising, radio and podcast placements in Germany, travel trade tours from the United Kingdom, media tours and outreach to tour operators.
Further, the Bloomington-Normal Area CVB will receive $92,500 through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program to produce professional destination marketing videos showcasing the region’s attractions, events, Route 66 heritage, arts and culture, and other unique visitor experiences.
“Tourism is economic development,” Koehler said. “When we give people another reason to visit Bloomington-Normal and spend time here, they support our small businesses, generate economic activity and help share the story of Central Illinois with people from around the country and the world.”
More information and a full list of grant recipients can be found here.
