The South Side of Chicago will receive a financial boost for local tourism thanks to a $5.5 million grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events that Choose Chicago is earmarking for tourism.
Samir Mayekar, Chicago’s deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development, lauded the move in a post on social media.
“Solid work from @ChooseChocago to deploy @chicagosmauyor #ChicagoRecoveryPlan funds to support neighborhood tourism,” Mayekar said in a post on Twitter recently.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Choose Chicago’s Neighborhood Strategy Team has been lending its assistance and resources to community groups in underprivileged neighborhoods with a rich cultural heritage that make up Chicago’s diversity. The report also noted that the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events earmarked the $5.5 million grant for Choose Chicago to lend financial support to their tourism efforts.
The grant, according to the Tribune, is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and will lead to a dozen new areas to Choose Chicago’s Neighborhood Strategy Team, increasing the footprint of efforts to support tourism to 30 neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods being added to the fold include Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Lincoln Park, South Chicago and Hyde Park, which will join areas that have already reaped the benefits of the program, including Albany Park, Bronzeville, Humboldt Park, Pullman, Little Village, South Shore, Chatham and others, the Tribune reported.
“The culture and vibrancy of Chicago can be found beyond our traditional tourist locations,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement to the Tribune. “Each of our 77 unique neighborhoods is home to rich histories, world-class cuisine and entertainment that tourists should experience. I’m continually grateful for ARPA funding that allows us to continue our equitable economic recovery by supporting our neighborhoods and the local organizations who uplift them.”