Rockford looks for applicants for new round of cannabis tax funding. Here’s how it was last spent
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Three years ago, the city put revenue from taxes on recreational cannabis to use with a new grant program that funded programs ranging from job training to youth arts programs and other activities.
The Regrow grant program, which is funded by the city’s 3% tax on cannabis sales, provided $360,000 to 10 organizations in 2021. Some were short-term programs, such as a Discovery Center effort to foster more interest in STEM careers, and others lasted one or two years, including an after school program at Fairgrounds Valley apartments to foster digital art skills that can lead to future careers.
This week, the city opened up the opportunity to apply for that funding for the first time since the initial round.
City officials said they wanted to take time to evaluate the initial pilot grant program before committing to a new round of funding. This year, the city is making $500,000 available for up to 16 projects or organizations.
The program is intended to help rectify the negative consequences of cannabis-related arrests and long sentences, especially among Black and Latino communities, that were handed down during previous drug policies.
The money can be used to fund programs for economic and business development, education, job training, housing, programs to reduce gun violence and poverty, prisoner re-entry and a variety of other services.
“We really created this program to be flexible so they could advance opportunity to the betterment of the community as a whole as well as the original intent of the 3% tax on recreational cannabis to lift up individuals and geographical areas that were negatively impacted by previous cannabis enforcement,” said Todd Cagnoni, city administrator.
The largest grant recipient in 2021 was $150,000 for multi-year funding for the YMCA of Rock River Valley, which used to support after school programs in the northwest side of the city and rebuild of Good Shepherd Church into the new Good Shepherd YMCA branch, which is expected to open later this year.
The Y used $50,000 to purchase a van to transports kids to the after school program, $50,000 for recreational equipment and $50,000 toward the buildout of the future kitchen at the Good Shepherd Y.
This year, there will be 10 $10,000 short-term grants awarded, four $50,000 one-year grants awarded and two two-year $100,000 grants awarded.
The applications will be reviewed by the city’s Community Resource Commission, which provides recommendations on use to City Council.
Those recommendations are expected to go to the city’s Planning & Development Committee on Nov. 25 and a full City Council vote on Dec. 2.
How much the city reaps in cannabis revenue each year isn’t entirely clear. That’s because of a state Department of Revenue confidentiality rule intended to protect businesses from revealing privileged information on their sales volume and revenue. There are three dispensaries in the city — Mapleglen Care Center, Sunnyside and Lyfe Dispensary — and the state doesn’t disclose tax receipts when there are so few businesses involved.
The city budgeted for $620,000 in cannabis revenue in 2023 and 2024. Aside from the Regrow grants, the money also supports a partnership with Winnebago County for inmate re-entry programs.
Past Regrow grant recipients
Tier 1: $10,000
- African-American Resource Center: ‘Flourish: Start Strong Finish Strong’ | A program to support individuals, many of whom were previously charged with cannabis-related crimes, with education, job-training and economic and business development.
- Awaken Foundation: ‘Facts to Hard Hats’ | Program helped eight participants explore pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the industries of construction, culinary arts and hospitality.
- Community Kitchen: Concerned Citizens United for Self-Improvement | Helped provide funds for remodeling the community kitchen, which led to service of meals to roughly 900 people.
- Conscious Coaching: ‘Acclimated’ | A program to support residents returning from incarceration as they reintegrate into society.
- Discovery Center: ‘STEM of the Rock’ | Served roughly 550 students with activities designed to encourage careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There were more than 30 such sessions.
- Rockford Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: ‘Seeds of Change’ | Helped the chamber restructure so it could be compliant with grant opportunities that led to funding from youth programming, financial literacy, and 3D printing classes.
Tier 2: $50,000
- 815 Alive Chargers Football | The youth football program served 75 players and assisted with new uniforms, athletic gear, storage fees, and coach salaries.
- Comprehensive Community Solutions: ‘ALPHA’ | The program provided mentoring, educational support, fitness, life skills and community engagement efforts.
- New Genres Art Space | This after school program builds off traditional art classes to help bolster digital art competencies that translate to future careers. Students living at Fairgrounds housing complex were taught skills such as digital drawing, augmented reality, 3D modeling, and animation. The program had more than two dozen returning students each week.
Tier 2: $150,000
- YMCA: Good Shepherd YMCA | Helped provide safe exercise opportunities to dozens of youth, primarily in the northwest quadrant of the city. The grant also funded equipment for the future Good Shepherd YMCA, 1829 N. Rockton Ave., which is expected to open later this year.
How to apply
Organizations and individuals can apply for the 2024 Regrow grant cycle by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Visit the 2024 Regrow grant page HERE to learn more about how to apply.
For more information about the program and requirements, you can call 779-348-7418 or email REGROW@rockfordil.gov.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
