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Urbana council pledges up to $800,000 in matching funds to support HeartStrong grocery grant application
Summary
The City of Urbana approved a resolution pledging up to $800,000 in matching funds for HeartStrong Meals LLC to support an Illinois grocery initiative grant application; the council also offered city-owned property as a potential site and authorized waiver of construction fees to be considered later.
The Urbana City Council voted Nov. 25 to approve a resolution committing up to $800,000 in matching funds to HeartStrong Meals LLC to support the company’s application to the Illinois grocery initiative. The council also authorized staff to provide a letter of commitment and to negotiate a funding agreement if the grant is awarded.
Council members discussed terms of the pledge before the vote. The resolution states the city’s match will be contingent on award of the state grant and sets a fiscal-year deadline for the city contribution (through June 30, 2025). The city offered property on North Lincoln Avenue — the existing Fire Station 3 site and an adjacent expansion parcel — as an available site for the project; the city has previously purchased the expansion parcel. The city also plans to consider waiving construction-related fees and to budget up to $100,000 for demolition or environmental testing in a future amendment if the project proceeds.
Public commenters urged the council to support the project. Annie Adams, a Ward 1 resident and vice chair of the Urbana Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, said she supported the resolution and asked the council to approve matching funds for the grocery initiative application. "I encourage the council to approve resolution number 2024Dash11O79R, approving matching funds for the Illinois grocery initiative, Heart Strong Meals LLC," Adams told the council during public input.
Councilmember Mary Alice moved approval; Chandra seconded. The roll call vote recorded affirmative votes from Councilmembers Wu, Evans, Hersey (the mayor), Bishop, Wilkin and Quisenberry; the motion passed.
Council staff said the city will prepare a formal letter of commitment once the resolution is passed and that the mayor has already sent a letter of support. The resolution requires a subsequent funding agreement to formalize any disbursement or use of city funds, and the council reserved the right to specify which city funds will be used if the grant is awarded.
No additional city funding was disbursed on Nov. 25; the vote authorized a contingent match and administrative steps to support the grant application.
