Illinois Grocery Initiative
Authorized by Public Act 103-0561, is intended to address inadequate access to fresh foods, especially in “food deserts”. Food deserts may exist in both urban and rural areas. Through the Illinois Grocery Initiative, $20 million will be invested in food deserts across the state. The Illinois Grocery Initiative is a multi-pronged policy designed to address food deserts across the state. It supports existing grocers and encourages new grocery stores to open through incentive opportunities.
The Program
The program provides wrap-around support to local governments and independent grocers opening grocery stores in food deserts, which includes providing technical assistance, feasibility studies and marketing, support with operational costs and access to capital funding for the acquisition of land, facilities, or equipment. Up to 20 percent of the program funding may be used for grants for energy-efficient equipment upgrades to existing independently owned, cooperative, and not-for-profit grocery stores.
Equipment Upgrades Grant Program
The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program will provide grants for energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.
Coming Soon!
For more information go to: https://dceo.illinois.gov/illinois-grocery-initiative.
Click here to see a list of the Equipment Grant Awardees!Food Desert Grant
Third Round Coming Soon!
For more information go here: https://dceo.illinois.gov/illinois-grocery-initiative.html
Click here to see a list of the Food Desert Grant Awardees!About Us
Our Mission
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University provides technical assistance for the Illinois Grocery Initiative. The Value-Added Sustainable Development Center is a department of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. The Value-Added Sustainable Development Center (VASDC) extends IIRA’s rural community economic development work to the sectors of agriculture, food, energy, and community sustainability. VASDC helps farmers, non-farm rural businesses, and community leaders excel by providing technical assistance and research on topics such as value-added agriculture, local food systems, rural grocery stores, small meat processing operations, and community-owned businesses.
Technical Assistance Services:
General Business Start-Up Process
Business Plan Development
Grocery Store Operation and Management
Grocery Store Cash Flow & Financial Projections
Organizational and Management Structure
Marketing and Community engagement
Provide information on IGI program eligibility
Provide review and feedback on draft proposals and budgets IGI grant
Provide assistance with grant application forms and documentation IGI grant
Contact Us
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Western Illinois University
Stipes 527
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
ms-park@wiu.edu
Phone: 309-298-1453