The Venice Food Market Groundbreaking Ceremony
VENICE — Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and regional leaders Thursday to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice, part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative aimed at expanding access to fresh and affordable food in underserved communities. The project, supported by a $2.4 million state grant and private funding, marks a significant step toward revitalizing Venice, a city currently classified as a food desert.
“Every single Illinoisan—regardless of their zip code—deserves access to fresh, reliable, and affordable grocery options,” Pritzker said. He emphasized that the initiative supports small, independent grocers and combats food insecurity across the state, including central and southern Illinois communities like Venice.
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton highlighted the broader impact of local grocery stores, stating, “Local stores like this don’t just put food on the table—they create good jobs, support local farmers and producers, and strengthen the community.” She added that the state’s commitment is to ensure every community has opportunity.
The Illinois Grocery Initiative, established in 2023, includes two main grant programs: the New Stores in Food Deserts Program and the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program. To date, DCEO has awarded $18.1 million statewide, with $16.5 million allocated for new grocery stores and $1.6 million for equipment upgrades.
In Venice, the new grocery store also benefited from a $3.5 million investment by Dr. Ed Hightower, a retired Edwardsville public school superintendent and former NCAA basketball referee. Hightower described the store as “more than just a grocery store—it’s a symbol of renewal and a promise to the people who have called this community home for generations.”
Venice Mayor Phil White called the project “a new beginning” for the community, which has lacked a grocery store for years. “This project is about restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and showing what’s possible when we work together for the people of Venice,” White said, thanking state and local officials for their support.
Madison County Board Chair Chris Slusser noted that the grocery store, along with other developments like new housing and businesses, signals a turnaround for Venice. “We’re seeing the first signs of renewal that will bring opportunity back to this city,” Slusser said.
Venice’s status as a food desert means residents currently must travel miles to access fresh, nutrient-dense food or rely on less nutritious options. The issue is compounded by cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have made grocery affordability more difficult for many Illinoisans.
DCEO Director Kristin Richards said the initiative “is helping make that a reality across our state” by funding grocery stores, supporting local jobs, and fostering small business growth.
State Senator Christopher Belt, representing the area, reflected on the community’s progress: “Venice has been through a lot—at one point, this town didn’t have a single school or grocery store. Now, through a partnership with community leaders, they will have both.”
The Illinois Grocery Initiative, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, offers comprehensive support including grants for new stores and equipment upgrades, technical assistance, expanded tax incentives, and a commissioned study on food insecurity factors in Illinois. DCEO opened Round II of the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program in January 2025, with applications accepted until Dec. 15, 2025, or until funds are depleted. Eligible applicants include independent grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. Additional information is available on the DCEO website.
