Local nonprofit pitches grocery store for Ward 3, seeks city support for state grant match

Angela Bradley, chief executive of HeartStrong Meals, told Urbana council members Wednesday she wants to open a grocery store in Ward 3 to address what she called “a food desert in our own community.” Bradley described nearly two decades of food‑pantry and culturally relevant distributions and said residents have requested closer access to fresh food for at least seven years.

Bradley outlined a concept that would be WIC and SNAP friendly, emphasize local and seasonal produce, use meal kits and chef demonstrations to encourage healthy choices, and partner with campus design resources to rethink grocery layout. “I discovered that we have a food desert in our own community,” Bradley said, describing the area’s limited access to fresh groceries apart from a once‑weekly pantry distribution.

Bradley said the state’s grocery program is actively funding stores: “What's available is $11,000,000. Awards can range from 160,000 to $2,400,000. And there is a match requirement. So, the state would pay 75% and the applicant would pay 25% of the projected cost.” She said consultants commissioned a feasibility study for a location near Bradley and Lincoln and that the preliminary capital need to open could be on the order of $4 million, though the number is not final.

Bradley asked the council for community support points and for a letter indicating the city could provide the required match if the project wins the full $2.4 million award; that match would be roughly $800,000. Council members queried operational details, ownership structure and timeline. Grace asked whether Bradley would operate the store herself; Bradley said she is not partnering with a large chain and is pursuing the project with consultants and technical assistance offered by the state program.

Councilor James asked what the city would need to provide to support an application; Bradley said only a letter committing to the match if the grant is awarded. Jia asked about timing; Bradley said the earlier statewide round’s awards were announced recently and that round two’s awards are projected in early spring, but the application deadline for the current round is Dec. 2.

No formal commitment or vote occurred at the meeting. Council members encouraged Bradley to continue discussions with city staff and to provide documentation the city would need to consider before issuing any letter of commitment. Bradley said the state program also provides post‑award technical assistance and ongoing consulting support if an applicant is selected.

Staff and councilors noted additional financial questions that would need resolution if the city were to endorse any match, including whether ARPA or other funds could be used, and requested follow‑up on funding sources and the feasibility study’s more detailed numbers.

The council did not take action on Bradley’s request at the meeting; she said she planned to apply by the Dec. 2 deadline and return with more details if staff or the council signaled support.