Illinois program targets food deserts

The state of Illinois is hoping to take a major step towards wiping out food deserts behind a $20 million grant program called New Stores in Food Deserts Program.

The program encourages developers to insert new grocery stores to areas that have been labeled food deserts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Grants range between $160,000 to $2.4 million, and businesses are required to provide a 1:3 match. The grant money will assist with construction costs, renovation costs, and first-year operating costs.

The requirements for grants are:

Local government and independent grocers with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations are eligible to apply for grant money.