State Fair Illinois

FILE - Illinois Department of Agriculture employees work on installing flags to the Main Gate State Fair entrance in preparation for the beginning of the State Fair at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Monday, July 30, 2012 in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

 Seth Perlman

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - On Tuesday, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $5 million is available in tourism funding through three grant programs. 

The programs are the Route 66 Grant Program ($2 million), the International Tourism Grant Program ($1 million), and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program ($2 million). 

Eligible entities can apply for grants to promote and preserve the historic Route 66 corridor through the Route 66 Grant Program, grants to promote Illinois to international visitors through the International Tourism Grant Program, and grants to develop attractions, destinations, and events through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program to boost tourism and welcome more visitors to Illinois. 

Grantees will be chose through a Notice of Funding Opportunity process. 

Governor Pritzker said, "As our vibrant tourism industry continues to support job creation and boost local economies, these grants will help communities attract even more visitors from near and far to Illinois. Grants are available to develop new attractions and events, bring international visitors to Illinois, and celebrate Route 66's historic centennial, and I encourage all eligible entities to apply." 

Eligible entities for the Route 66 program can apply for grants between $20,000 to $500,000. Applications will be accepted until June 11 at 5 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply, visit the DCEO website. A webinar on the Route 66 Grant Program will be held at 10 a.m. May 27. People who are interested can reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance. 

The International Tourism Grant Program will increase international travel to Illinois through marketing efforts directed to identified target markets including Mexico, Canada, UK/Ireland, Germany, German-speaking regions in Austria and Switzerland, India, and Japan. 

Eligible entities can apply for International Tourism grants between $10,000 to $200,000 with a 1:1 match requirement. Applications will be accepted through June 15 at 5 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, visit the DCEO website. 

Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, DCEO will provide matching grants to help in the promotion of tourism attractions. Eligible entities can apply for Tourism Marketing Partnership grants between $10,000 to $100,000 with a 1:1 match requirement. Applications will be accepted until June 17 at 5 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply, visit the DCEO website for the Cook County application and the Balance of State application. DCEO will be holding a webinar focused on the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program at 2 p.m. on May 26. 

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