The Food Desert Incentive, Ordinance 22-5345, an initiative of County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th District) which was supported by SSMMA and the Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA), passed unanimously just yesterday creating a new property tax incentive class to encourage the location of new grocery stores, and assist in retaining existing grocery stores, in an identified food desert to expand healthy food access and improve economic opportunities for underserved communities.

“I am thrilled that the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to approve my ordinance today, paving the way for more grocery stores in the neighborhoods that need them the most. Not only will this help create greater access in food deserts to healthy foods, it will also serve as an economic development catalyst,” said Commissioner Donna Miller.

Ordinance 22-5345 creates a new property tax incentive class, Class 7d, which reduces the property tax assessment for grocery stores located in a food desert if: (a) the store currently located in a food desert either expands or renovates; or

(b) is a new store that chooses to open in a food desert. Class 7d provides for a reduced assessment rate of 10% for a period of ten years (which can be renewed, and the incentive

must receive approval from the local municipality via a resolution.

The Midwest Independent Retailers Association is recognized as a leader in government and industry relations and closely monitors proposed state and federal legislation and how it will affect their member retail businesses. Speaking for MIRA, Government Relations Director, Juan Escareno stated, "MIRA strongly believes that local grocery stores are the backbone of a community and losing a neighborhood grocery store can be devastating on many levels. MIRA has been working for years to help be that bridge to strengthen the ties between communities and grocery stores, and that has led us to finding partners and joining such efforts to eliminate food deserts so all communities can have access to high-quality foods, fruits, and vegetables, and provide better stability for residents in their communities.”

On October 19, SSMMA Executive Director, Kristi DeLaurentiis, provided testimony to the Cook County Business and Economic Development Committee as an expression of the Association's support of the tax incentive ordinance.

"The Southland region’s high Social Vulnerability scores reflect how we’ve been disproportionately affected by disinvestment, redlining, and lack of access to affordable and reliable transportation options and full service grocers. The County’s proposed Food Desert Property Tax Incentive will not only help create greater access to healthy foods and put full service grocery stores within reach of more families, but it will serve as an economic development catalyst that creates and retains good jobs", stated DeLaurentiis. Read the full testimony here.

SSMMA and MIRA worked over the past several months with Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and we want to thank Commissioner Miller for her strong leadership and recognition on the importance of this new incentive.

Find additional information on the incentive below.

• Fact Sheet: Cook County Food Desert Incentive

• Food Access Map: Southern Cook County

• Food Desert Incentive Amendment

On October 11, SSMMA served as panelist for the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce monthly legislative series which focused on economic development in the south suburban region. During the discussion, SSMMA highlighted its redesigned website which focuses on its most important programs and tools.

Specifically, the Southland Reactivation Act incentive calculator was highlighted by SSMMA's Planning and Technical Assistance Director, Sarah Kobetis. "When municipalities are ready to get started on the process of designating a site as a Southland Reactivation property, they can just click the toolkit link to access template documents for everything they are required by law to complete and submit, and a step-by-step submission roadmap", said Kobetis. "Since the Southland Reactivation designation process is municipally-led, most of the tools we have online are geared towards our members. However, the first two steps on this roadmap—finding a site and calculating the tax bill—are definitely useful for developers as well who are looking to locate in the South Suburbs".

The Southland Reactivation Act will provide investors and business owners with significant property tax relief, bring jobs to the South Suburbs, and revitalize neighborhoods where abandoned properties are not being utilized. To learn more about the Southland Reactivation Act and how to get started check out SSMMA's website.

In case you missed it, watch the full video of the panel discussion here.

SSMMA'S Annual Jingle and Mingle will be on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 6:00pm. This year's event is hosted by the Village of Alsip and will be held at the Alsip Double Tree Hotel.