Rockford Launches 2024 REGROW Cannabis Grant Program

The City of Rockford is taking a significant step towards equity and community reinvestment with the launch of the 2024 Rockford REGROW Grant Program.

$500,000 Boost for Equity and Community Reinvestment

According to a press release from The City of Rockford, the local 3% tax on adult-use cannabis retail sales funded this $500,000 initiative that addresses the long-standing impacts of the "war on drugs" and its disproportionate effects on communities of color.

The REGROW Program is designed to mitigate past harms and provide real support to those most affected by cannabis-related legal issues.

Funding Opportunities for Local Projects

The REGROW Grant Program offers two tiers of funding for 2024. Tier I includes ten grants of $10,000 each for smaller, short-term projects, while Tier II provides larger grants of $50,000 for one year and $100,000 for two years.

Get our free mobile app

These grants are intended to support a variety of initiatives, including economic development, education, job training, and violence prevention programs. The goal is to enhance community infrastructure and reduce gun violence and concentrated poverty within Rockford.

Application and Workshop Details

Applications for Tier I grants open on October 1, 2024, and close on October 22, 2024, while the Tier II application dates will be announced at a later date.

To assist potential applicants, a virtual workshop is planned for October 8, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interested individuals can join the workshop by emailing REGROW@rockfordil.gov.

Grant awards for Tier I will be announced on December 2, 2024, following the City Council vote.

For more information and application details, visit the City of Rockford’s website or contact REGROW at 779-348-7418 or REGROW@rockfordil.gov.