Rockford Sun

The City of Rockford invites applications for the 2024 Rockford REGROW Grant Program, funded by the Cannabis Fund. This initiative is part of an equity-driven, restorative justice and community reinvestment effort, financed by a 3% local tax on adult-use cannabis retail sales.

"The decades-long 'war on drugs' and related policies led to disparate cannabis-related arrests, convictions, and sentencing which have had long-lasting legal, social, economic, and inter-generational consequences on certain disproportionately impacted communities," a city representative stated. The program aims to address these past harms and reinvest in affected communities.

For the 2024 funding cycle, $500,000 is available through various grants:

- **Tier I:** Ten quick deployment grants at $10,000 each for smaller projects.

- **Tier II:** Four one-year grants at $50,000 each and two two-year grants at $100,000 each.

The grants may fund programs focused on economic development; education; youth programming; job training; housing; health; financial assistance to impacted individuals and businesses; reducing gun violence and poverty; community protection from gun violence through targeted investments; promoting employment infrastructure related to social determinants of health; violence prevention services; zero entry and re-entry services; and youth development.

Key dates include:

- Tier I applications open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, closing at 5 p.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

- Tier II application dates will be announced later.

- A virtual workshop for applicants will be held on Tuesday, October 8 at 11 a.m. Interested parties can email REGROW@rockfordil.gov for the link.

Applications will be reviewed by the Community Resource Commission with recommendations provided to the Planning & Development Committee on November 25, 2024. Final grant awards for Tier I recipients will be announced after a City Council vote on December 2, 2024.

For more information about the program and requirements, visit the REGROW Grant Program page or contact via email at REGROW@rockfordil.gov or phone at 779-348-7418.