Commission accepts state tourism workshop grant to host agritourism and film conference

Kane County commissioners voted Feb. 10 to accept a state pass-through grant to host a tourism and business development workshop focused on agritourism, film heritage and related tourism strategies.

County staff said the state obtained an EDA-funded grant to support a series of workshops and invited counties to host events that showcase local tourism strengths. "In our case, we focus on film and that's a way that we're making money in tourism because of our film heritage," a county staff member said. Planned local events include a reception at Best Friends Roadhouse, a film-heritage dinner at Iron Horse, and a Native American cultural presentation.

Staff said the grant will be set up in a separate accounting line and that a budget opening will be required because the revenue was not in the original budget. The commission approved accepting the grant by voice vote. Staff estimated the county contribution (sponsorship/support) would be limited (about $12,000) and that the state grant provides the bulk of funding; the transcript recorded an acceptance of a figure given aloud by staff describing the amount as "$5,352,380 and 22 cents," which the presenters characterized as the state grant amount in the discussion.

Next steps: Staff will set up a separate accounting line, perform a budget opening to record the revenue, and continue event planning and outreach to cap registration at the stated capacity.