Tourism Grants to the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association

In recent years, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association has received funding from three tourism grants totaling nearly $200,000.

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in fiscal year 2009, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) disbursed a $45,500 grant to the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association (IGGVA). The grant (grant #09-338000) was a tourism grant “to cover costs associated with hosting an educational conference for grape growers and vintners; and for promotional materials including but not limited to displays, promotional materials and printing.”

According to the DCEO’s Grant Tracker website, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association has received two other tourism grants in recent years. The DCEO disbursed $64,500 to the association for grant #08-333020, which was a “special tourism grant.” The IGGVA has most recently received $83,255.76 of a $145,500 grant. That grant (grant #10-338001) will allow the association to “maintain the illinoiswine.com website; continue social networking; reprint the IL Wine Guide; design and produce IL Wine pull up displays; implement statewide advertising in major media markets for festivals and events; and host an annual educational conference for the industry.” The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association received a total of $193,255.76 in recent years from these three grants. In addition to these grants, the IGGVA also mentions on their website that they were “granted $550,000 in 2005 by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich to continue its effort to expand development and awareness of the state’s wine industry.”

To find the fiscal year 2009 grant on the Illinois OpenGov site, go to “Checks to Businesses & People” and search for “Illinois Grape Growers” in the “Vendor” field.