State of Illinois and City of Arcola Partner to Keep Popular Rockome Gardens a
Vibrant Tourist Destination

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that the City of Arcola will receive a $385,000 Opportunity Returns grant to keep Rockome Gardens vibrant and to ensure this important tourist destination remains open for years to come.  As a result of Gov. Blagojevich’s support, the city will extend a loan to Rockome Group, LLC, who will acquire the 29-acre tract and existing buildings of the former Rockome Gardens and hire 29 employees.

“People have come from far and wide to visit Rockome Gardens, and it is important to keep this tourist destination strong.  Visitors can continue to step back in time and experience the rich culture that our state and nation was founded upon,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

Rockome Gardens has a 58-year history in East Central Illinois, bringing between 50,000 and 60,000 guests to the region each year.  Located in the heart of the state’s Amish Country, the rock and floral garden attraction features buggy rides, train rides, a haunted cave, petting zoo, horse and carriage rides, and several arts and craft shows each year.

This Opportunity Returns grant is being administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP).  As the Rockome Group makes payments on the loan back to the City of Arcola, the city will be able to make additional investments in local economic development initiatives.

“By partnering with Gov. Blagojevich through his Opportunity Returns initiative, the City of Arcola will retain Rockome Gardens as an important part of our community.  By keeping this destination strong, we are able to bring tourists to our region that support jobs that fuel our local economy,” said Arcola Mayor Larry Ferguson.

The Rockome Group, LLC is comprised of local investors who will be the new owners of the attraction and have significant plans for reinventing the well-known destination.  More information is available by calling 217/268.4106 or by visiting www.hauntedrockome.com.    

“Rockome Gardens is a destination with huge potential, and Gov. Blagojevich has provided important support to keep this attraction alive.  Thousands of guests will continue to visit this region and experience our unique local culture, along with many new events, shopping, dining and features at Rockome that will also include lodging in many forms,” said Bob McElwee, owner and managing partner of Rockome Group, LLC.

“Tourism continues to grow across Illinois, and it is important to not only create new destinations, but to keep existing destinations strong.  Rockome Gardens is such a unique location that offers guests a flashback in time, and Gov. Blagojevich is providing an important investment to keep this destination and the regional economy strong,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.