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$25,000 grant to promote, improve 'Ram's Experience'
By Tom Radz/Journal Staff Writer
MACOMB - As the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams began their practice at Western Illinois University Thursday, local and state politicians gathered about 50 yards south of the field for a special announcement designed to keep the St. Louis Rams coming back to Macomb.
As part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program, a regional economic development plan for Illinois, $25,000 was granted to the Macomb Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau to improve the "Ram's Experience" portion of the St. Louis Rams Training Camp. "We know that three days of Rams/Bears scrimmage is something that a lot of people in the midwest will get excited about," said Jack Lavin, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "This helps tourism in this part of the state. We want to show them that the state of Illinois is continuing our commitment and hope that they keep coming back."
Lavin made the announcement, surrounded by several of the attractions the grant enabled the visitors bureau to purchase. Among the attractions are inflatable tackling dummies, an accuracy throwing challenge and a shaded area with refreshments to name a few.
By Tom Radz/Journal Staff Writer
MACOMB - As the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams began their practice at Western Illinois University Thursday, local and state politicians gathered about 50 yards south of the field for a special announcement designed to keep the St. Louis Rams coming back to Macomb.
As part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns program, a regional economic development plan for Illinois, $25,000 was granted to the Macomb Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau to improve the "Ram's Experience" portion of the St. Louis Rams Training Camp. "We know that three days of Rams/Bears scrimmage is something that a lot of people in the midwest will get excited about," said Jack Lavin, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. "This helps tourism in this part of the state. We want to show them that the state of Illinois is continuing our commitment and hope that they keep coming back."
Lavin made the announcement, surrounded by several of the attractions the grant enabled the visitors bureau to purchase. Among the attractions are inflatable tackling dummies, an accuracy throwing challenge and a shaded area with refreshments to name a few.
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