Students in Rockford, Illinois will benefit from college tuition assistance and scholarships due to the funding Rockford Casino has provided to the local non-profit, Rockford Promise.
The casino has joined the organization’s list of partners that includes Rockford University, Rock Valley and Northern Illinois University.
Hard Rock recently broke ground on its Rockford location. The company anticipates the 65,000-square-foot casino will be completed by the winter of 2023. The venue will offer its guests a sportsbook, 1,500 slot machines and close to 60 table games featuring blackjack, roulette and craps.
Casino Rockford will also feature a Hard Rock Live event center that seats 1,600. The facility can serve as a concert hall or as a conference center within its 23,500-square-foot space.
A 250-room hotel will be added during the second phase of construction.
High school seniors in Rockford who attended Rockford Public Schools (RPS) for all four years of high school will have access to scholarships through Rockford Promise upon graduation. Rockford Promise Executive Director Kaylene Groh said that funding from Hard Rock has paved the way for the organization to reach its goals.
Groh commented: "Our whole goal and mission are educational attainment for local RPS 205 students. The funding from Hard Rock Casino through the city of Rockford has made it possible for us to fully fund our NIU option. We have three total options and now our NIU option is fully funded.”
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara noted that the casino’s presence in the city can offer more than entertainment to its residents. McNamara said: "We want this to be something that has far-reaching economic impact and hope and opportunity for all of Rockford.”
