PEORIA – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and local leaders Thursday to announce 11 awards totaling $7.9 million through the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores ($6.9 million) and Equipment Upgrades Grant Programs ($1 million) to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in Illinois.

Additionally, the governor announced $11 million available in grant funding for the second round of the New Stores in Food Deserts Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process.

No one in our area received a grant from the New Stores in Food Deserts Program, but one did from the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program.

Smalls Meat Market in Marion will receive $194,445 to purchase an upgraded meat case.

Click here to find out more about each program and a complete list of recipients.