PEORIA, Ill. – Pastor Chuck Brown has been working to open a grocery store in Peoria’s South Side for the past few years.
After the closures of Aldi’s and Krogers in the area in recent years, he says the current options that are left are not enough.
“When you have a community such as that, you’ll find a place where you’ll have different Dollar Trees and convenience stores that proliferate these communities, and it doesn’t provide the type of nutrition and healthy and affordable food we want to give to the community,” Brown said.
Brown will be receiving some help in getting his wish. On Thursday, Governor J.B. Pritzker visited Peoria to announce nearly $1.7 million in grant funding from the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores for a new store on the South Side in the former Aldi’s location.
The funding will be used to fully renovate the store, as well as install energy-efficient equipment.
Pritzker says the funding works towards a goal of reducing food deserts in communities of all sizes.
“Whether you live in a small town or a dense urban neighborhood, everyone needs local access to quality, healthy food options,” Pritzker said.
In total, Pritzker announced nearly $8 million in funding for new stores across the state. Other stores are planned in Chicago, Rockford, and Carlinville.
In Peoria, Mayor Rita Ali believes the store will become more than just a place to pick up groceries in the south part of the city.
“It’s a commitment to the health and well-being of the community. This will not only be a place where people have options for their groceries, but it will provide job opportunities, and a place where neighbors can meet and visit in the aisles,” Ali said.
The new store is expected to open sometime next year.
Comments