McHenry County tourism brings record 2022 funds… and other McHenry County news

McH THRIVE Update!

Resume McHenry County becomes McH THRIVE!

With the end of the state and federal COVID-19 states of emergency, it’s time to stop talking about resuming life as normal and dedicate it to moving ahead, together, better than before.

We deserve the opportunity that lies before us… our manufacturers and small businesses, our workforce, our tourism industry, our agriculture and agritourism sectors and our economic development agencies and chambers of commerce… all of us deserve the opportunity to THRIVE!

Thank you for reading and subscribing to the new McH THRIVE! You can help us continue to grow by forwarding this email to people who you think would enjoy it. They can subscribe by visiting McHenryCountyIL.gov/social.com or on social media.

Tourism makes big bucks in McHenry County in 2022

Visitors to McHenry County last year spent a whopping $336.1 million locally, generating millions in tax revenue and supporting thousands of jobs.

The $336.1 million spent in McHenry County in 2022 was an increase of 26% from the previous year, and created $15 million in local tax receipts (likewise a 26% gain over 2021), according to data from global tourism research firm Tourism Economics. Tourism revenue last year directly supported 2,192 jobs (up from 1,914 in 2021, as employers continued to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic).

The surge in tourism revenue is proof that our slogan of “Wonderful Places, Wide-Open Spaces” isn’t just clever marketing – it describes McHenry County perfectly, and visitors to our county proved it with their wallets.

Click here to read more about the great year McHenry County and Illinois tourism had in 2022.

Information meeting scheduled for Chicago to Rockford passenger rail

IDOT is inviting McHenry County to learn more about the project to bring back passenger rail service between Chicago and Rockford – which includes a stop in Huntley.

An open house will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, September 21, at the Huntley Park District Office, 12015 Mill St.

The event will include a repeated presentation, exhibit boards for people to view, and opportunities to ask questions of the project team.

Plans call for using the existing Milwaukee West Line to Elgin and Union Pacific tracks between Elgin and Rockford to provide two round trips a day by late 2027. $275 million in Rebuild Illinois capital funding will be spent to build a connection between the Metra and Union Pacific tracks at Big Timber, improve track conditions to allow for train speeds up to 79 mph, improve crossings and structures such as bridges as well as build stations in Huntley, Belvidere, Elgin and Rockford.

You can learn more about the project by visiting www.chicagotorockfordrail.org.

County teaming up with R1 Council for planning open house

McHenry County is working together with the Region 1 Planning Council to host an open house to gather input on how we can make McHenry County the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.

The open house will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, at the McHenry County Mental Health Board, 620 Dakota St., Crystal Lake.

Topics to be discussed are neighborhoods, transportation and infrastructure, economic development, energy, natural resources, and health and equity.

The feedback gathered will be used to help shape various planning documents, including the R1’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Green infrastructure can mitigate the worst of flooding

Local governments and businesses can mitigate the worst of urban flooding with the clever use of green infrastructure and native vegetation.

Employing nature to lessen flood damage was the subject of the August Talk and Tour series, which is put on by the McHenry County Planning and Development Department and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. The series showcases best management practices and makes them easy for governments, businesses and residents to understand.

The August 4 presentation by the Crystal Lake Public Works Department included a tour that showcased a naturalized regional detention system in a neighborhood that had experienced frequent flooding, a bioswale that provides erosion control and filters runoff before it flows into Crystal Lake, and a network of constructed wetlands that provide flood relief in an older, flood-prone residential community.

You can watch it by clicking on the video above.

McHenry County Vendor Workshop takes place Friday

If you’re a vendor who wants to do business with McHenry County Government, be sure to attend this Friday’s informational workshop.

McHenry County’s Procurement and Special Services Department is holding a Vendor Workshop from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday to explain the procurement process and to sign up businesses for its mailing list so they can be informed when opportunities arise.

You can attend in person at the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, or virtually – the graphic above contains the instructions for attending remotely.

To learn more about the Procurement Department and doing business with McHenry County, click here.

MCC to host Green Living Expo in November

One of northern Illinois’ largest sustainable living events is returning to McHenry County College this fall!

The college is hosting its Green Living Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 4. Attendees can visit and meet with green vendors from all over to learn how they can find environmentally sustainable products, and save money with renewable energy programs and discounts.

Even the food trucks that will be providing food and drink for the event are going to get in on the spirit by using only compostable items to highlight how a large event can end up producing only a little waste.

Attendance is free but registration is encouraged, and you can register by clicking here. If you would like to be an exhibitor or sponsor, click here to register, but act fast – spaces tend to sell out!

What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, MCEDC, in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.