Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes a $125,000 grant from the Economic Development Division’s Healthy Retail Access capital program and authorizes the award to exceed the $100,000 limit originally established by adopted RES-15-00521 (File 38465) in 2015. The proposed grant will be funded by the $150,000 currently available in the Healthy Retail Access capital program. No additional City appropriation is required.
Title
A resolution to update File No. 38465 regarding the Healthy Retail Access Program to authorize a one-time increase in the maximum award amount for the Gooh Groceries (Midwest Gooh Group, LLC) project in the amount of $125,000. (15th A.D.)
Body
WHEREAS, On June 19, 2015 Common Council adopted RES-15-00521 to create the Healthy Retail Access Program and authorized the Madison Food Policy Council to make awards through this program of up to $100,000; and
WHEREAS, Since that resolution was adopted, the Healthy Retail Access Program Fund has grown to $150,000 in annual appropriations within the Capital Budget; and
WHEREAS, The Madison Food Policy Council has accepted an application from the Midwest Gooh Group LLC to start a small grocery store, which will provide affordable, healthy, and culturally relevant food products to residents of the East Side of Madison, specifically residents living in the Truax and Hawthorne Neighborhoods in the amount of $125,000; and
WHEREAS, On February 23, 2021 the Healthy Retail Access Work Group of the Madison Food Policy Council met and recommended that the Madison Food Policy Council approve the application and tentatively award full funding at their upcoming March 9, 2021 meeting; and
WHEREAS, >70% of the total cost of launching this business -- building acquisition, building renovations, equipment purchases, inventory procurement, and other costs associated with a start-up business -- is being financed by the owners,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Common Council authorizes the Madison Food Policy Council to make a Healthy Retail Access Program grant agreement awarding $125,000 to the Midwest Gooh Group, LLC as described above; and the Mayor and Clerk are authorized to sign the contract(s) needed in a format approved by the City Attorney, as set forth in the original resolution.