As part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, eligible local grocers can now apply for funding for energy-efficient equipment upgrades.
State Senator Dale Fowler said rural grocery stores in his district have a hard time competing with the big box stores like Walmart.
Fowler said things like taxation and high energy costs are making it more difficult for rural grocers to buy the equipment on their own.
Fowler said the University of Illinois Extension played an integral part in seeing the Equipment Upgrades Program through. Extension did studies and surveys to compile data on the struggles the rural grocery stores are facing.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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