Illinois (statewide)
Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3)
From Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Verified on the funder's official page
- Amount
- Up to $5,200,000$500,000 to $5,200,000
- Deadline
- Dec 9, 202645 days left
- Matching funds
- You pay 25% of total project costs (1:3), from non-state sources
- Payment
- Paid after you spend
- Effort
- Big job A full proposal and several steps.
- Who
- Any owner
The link goes to dceo.illinois.gov.
Who can apply
- Independent grocers or cooperatives (for-profit or nonprofit) with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four locations, opening a new grocery store in an eligible food-desert census tract
- Prior recipients are ineligible
Retail and food
Can you apply?
A quick check. It does not block the apply link.
Can a small business win this?
About 8 awards from $20.8M. Complex state application with GATA pre-qualification.
Before you apply
Get GATA pre-qualified now. Proof of the match must be in the application or it will not be reviewed.
Heads up
The page says 5 p.m. but names no time zone.
Checked on dceo.illinois.gov, Oct 21 (opens in a new tab)
This is a summary. The official page has the final word.
Similar grants
- Illinois Tourism Private Sector Grant Program: Up to $50,000
- Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP): Up to $10,000
- Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF): Up to $150,000
Questions about Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3)
How much is Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3)?
Up to $5,200,000. The full line is: $500,000 to $5,200,000, paid back after you spend. Highest figure stored: $5,200,000.
When can I apply for Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3)?
The deadline is in the key facts at the top of this page. Check the official page before you apply. Dates move.
Who can apply for Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3)?
Independent grocers or cooperatives (for-profit or nonprofit) with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four locations, opening a new grocery store in an eligible food-desert census tract. Prior recipients are ineligible.
Does Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3) require matching funds?
Yes. You need to put in some of your own money or another match. You pay 25% of total project costs (1:3), from non-state sources. The money is paid after you spend.
Where was Illinois Grocery Initiative: New Stores in Food Deserts (Round 3) checked?
Checked on 2026-10-21 at https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3295-4240.html. The official page wins if we disagree.