KANE COUNTY, Ill. — The Kane County Jobs Committee on Jan. 17 unanimously approved a one-year extension of the county’s contract with marketing firm GMCI and raised the contract cap to allow an additional $150,000 in spending to support continued promotion of the Fox National Water Trail.

The committee voted after a staff presentation that outlined prior work under a branding study, use of a $100,000 state tourism-and-travel grant, a $100,000 county match, and ongoing plans to shift some marketing emphasis to local awareness and prepare communities for five new launch sites funded with ARPA dollars. Committee co-chair Deborah Allen called for the vote; Miss Bates moved and Strathman seconded the motion, which carried on a 5-0 roll call.

The county’s presentation said GMCI was selected after an RFQ and produced a branding and marketing strategy used to secure a DCEO tourism-and-travel grant. County staff reported that the state already reimbursed the county for grant-eligible expenses and that the county matched the $100,000 state award with $100,000 from its Economic Development Fund (Fund 400). Staff recommended extending the contract to continue website, social media and targeted advertising work and to support outreach to chambers of commerce and other local partners.

Committee members asked how the previous marketing dollars were paid and whether ARPA funds remain available. Staff replied that the $200,000 campaign last year used $100,000 in state grant funds and a $100,000 county match from Fund 400; reimbursements from the state have been received. Staff said ARPA funds earmarked for infrastructure will be used for five new launch sites (board-safe products) and that additional marketing to inform local communities about those new sites is part of the rationale for continuing the GMCI contract.

Votes and formal action

• Motion: Extend GMCI contract for one year and increase the not-to-exceed amount by $150,000. Mover: Miss Bates. Second: Strathman. Roll-call result: Bates—yes; Daugherty/Doherty—yes; Hennessy—yes; Strathman—yes; Allen—aye. Outcome: approved.

Why it matters

The Fox River portion of the Fox National Water Trail sits in what county staff described as a high-potential economic area because of proximity to Chicago and existing local assets. Staff argued continued marketing will attract visitors, help local chambers capitalize on trail users, and raise awareness that the Fox River is part of the National Water Trail. The county is simultaneously investing federal ARPA dollars in physical access (five new launch sites) that staff said will increase local demand for information and amenities.

Clarifying details

• State tourism-and-travel grant: $100,000 (reimbursed to county).
• County match for that grant: $100,000 from Economic Development Fund 400.
• Prior GMCI contract cap reflected over $250,000 to cover grant spending and additional work.
• Recommended increase to contract cap: $150,000 (one-year extension).
• Planned infrastructure: five new launch sites built with ARPA funds (board-safe materials).

Speakers (selected)

• Deborah Allen — Co-chair, Kane County Jobs Committee (government)
• Mark Van Kirkhof — Director of Development and Community Services (government)
• Miss Bates — Committee member (government)
• Strathman — Committee member (government)
• Daugherty/Doherty — Committee member (attending remotely) (government)
• Hennessy — Committee member (government)

Ending

Committee members expressed support for continuing marketing work to connect local businesses and chambers with trail visitors and to prepare communities for the new launch sites. The contract extension allows staff to pursue further grant funding and implement locally focused outreach over the coming year.