question: does this development fit Henry County? “It’s about balance,” Kelly explains. “We have to consider infrastructure, workforce, environmental impact, and long-term value.These projects can take seven to ten years from the first conversation to completion, and they have to be right.” TOURISM AS AN ECONOMIC CATALYST One of Henry County’s most notable successes has been the rebirth of its Tourism Bureau. Just a few years ago, the organization had dissolved, leaving the county without a coordinated tourism strategy. Through a grassroots effort led by Kelly and Knackstedt, the county reclaimed the bureau, resolved regulatory and tax issues, and secured planning grants to chart a new course. Today, the Henry County Tourism Bureau operates as a true public-private partnership, with a full-time director employed by the county and funded jointly by participating municipalities. The results have been dramatic. Visitor spending now approaches $55 million annually, generating significant nonresident revenue that supports local businesses without increasing the tax burden on residents. Tourism in Henry County is multifaceted. Outdoor recreation thrives along the Hennepin Canal, which winds through multiple communities and hosts events, festivals, and trail-based tourism. Youth sports play an equally important role, with baseball, softball, soccer, and disc golf tournaments drawing families from a 50- to 100-mile radius.These visitors fill hotels, dine locally, and support small businesses across the county. Among Henry County’s most treasured destinations is Bishop Hill, a historic Swedish settlement and the county’s largest tourist attraction. With a population of just 112 residents, Bishop Hill carries outsized cultural significance. Recent concerns over deteriorating state-owned buildings prompted a coordinated advocacy effort involving county officials, legislators, and community leaders. That effort has resulted in a commitment of up to $10 million— potentially more—from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to preserve and restore the site. 243 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 HENRY COUNTY, IL
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