According to a press release from the Amateur Trap Shooting Association, a tentative agreement has been reached with the State of Illinois that would keep The Grand American, the largest trapshooting event in the world, at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta.  This major event and others had been suspended since September 30^th, due to Illinois’ budget standoff.  The restaurant, event center, and year round vendors have remained open, but shooting was suspended.  The 2016 Grand American will be August 3^rd through the 13^th, and the suspension of all shooting events at the WSRC has put the event in jeopardy.  Local businesses would be at a financial loss due to over 10,000 people attending the event in an alternate location.  A 2013 study estimated that the annual economic impact of the Grand American alone was $10 to $12 million to the area.  Adding in other events throughout the year would likely double this impact, so in the 9 years of the WSRC’s existence, the estimated impact has totaled over $180 million.  Lynn Gipson, executive director of the ATA, said earlier last fall the ATA told the state it needed to know by December 15^th if the WSRC would be open this summer.  If that deadline wasn’t reached, the ATA would be forced to seek an alternate venue for this year’s Grand American.  Gipson said a basic framework has been agreed upon and details are expected to be released in a formal announcement at 3 PM on Friday at the WSRC Events Center in Sparta and the public invited.