Mabus.....very well said. My ole hometown has so much to offer, and better offer, as GM prepares to pull-up roots by the next contract there.
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Look at how Appleton, a dying paper town, reinvented itself as a insurance industry town. People relocated there for their jobs from Delaware and other points east.
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Appleton does not have anything on Janesville as far as heritage, potential, green space, quality workforce, etc, etc.
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Oh yea, they do have a baseball team in a new stadium.

If Janesville developed its historical, cultural, and recreational facilities better (ie, that potential gem, Riverside Park, many of the fine, little, unknown parks in the county, the beautiful river, an upgraded Lion's Beach, rediscovery of historical downtown Janesville, respectable historical, art, etc museums/centers), just imagine! - both the number and level of spenders would rise, as would residential attraction to high level professionals. How many know the startling number of historical bldgs in Janesville? the historical fact that in the mid 1800s it was second in size to only Milwaukee in the state? the potential in its centralization between Milwaukee and Mississippi country, and Chicago/Rockford and Madison?

Beloit too has much history, and the efforts of the late Ken Hendrickson were really starting to pay off for it. Look at their riverfront compared to our marvelous concrete parking slab, the ugliest planning realization I have seen - anywhere in the world. We have noble beginnings with the Arts Center at Marshall, the wonderful Armory, the Rotary gardens, the always fine golf courses, the well-liked bike trail, Peace Park, etc. And, on the other hand that river-hiding parking blight, the disgrace at the historical Lion's Beach beachhouse, and the shameful, destructive stand-off over the Monterey Hotel. What could be marvelous tourist and local citizen attractions are, instead, horrid visible embarrassments for the community.

Sorry - just got to throw in LAKE KOSHKONONG, since the other threads have been so active on this topic.

Tourist are spending their money on many things like gasoline, gifts, food, etc. Not all the spending is on events or activities or big attractions. Hotels would also be included in these totals. Rock county does host a few attractions throughout the year including the Airfest, Tallman activities, Grand Prix in Beloit, etc, etc. Not all is spent in Janesville. I am amazed more is not spent considering the network of major highways going through Beloit, Clinton, Janesville, Newville, and Edgerton. It would be interesting to get official areas of spending even though I am listing my thoughts.

Where in Rock County are these tourists spending their money? Not being sarcastic, just curious what Rock County has to offer.