Mayor and council reported on a new grant proposal intended to address food insecurity and health disparities in Chester by developing a greenhouse hub.

According to the mayor's remarks during the Oct. 22 meeting, city staff worked with Sandra Terrell and Tish Jackson from Moravia Health to complete a grant application titled "Reversing Food Insecurity and Health Disparity through Development of a Greenhouse Hub in the city of Chester." The proposal seeks $1,000,000 from a foundation as part of a broader $1.5 million project. The initiative is described in the meeting as intended to increase access to fresh food, create jobs and provide sustainable opportunities for residents. The mayor said the city expected a response from the foundation within about a month and remains optimistic about the partnership.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting:
- Grant request amount: $1,000,000 toward a total project budget of $1.5 million. (Proposal completed; funder response expected within a month.)
- Partners named in the announcement: Sandra Terrell and Tish Jackson from Moravia Health; the mayor said staff had collaborated with these partners on the application.
- No formal council vote recorded that night on the greenhouse hub; the mayor announced the completed grant application during new business and asked the community to remain optimistic.

Next steps: foundation response and, if funded, subsequent project planning and reporting back to council.