Detroit Mayor Dave Bing unveiled this morning a $1 million Green Grocer Project to help nurture the city's independent grocers and shrink the city's "food desert."
Under the project, the city would use up to $500,000 in federal block grant funds to create a revolving loan fund for financing store improvements for the city's mostly independent grocers. About five stores may receive loans with the initial money, city officials said.
The city also plans to dedicate a Detroit Economic Growth Corporation employee to help the city's 80-plus grocers deal with the city's bureaucracy as well as commercial real estate developments and community development financing agencies.
"We've got to figure out how to help you," Bing said Monday morning as he addressed Detroit grocery store owners and others who gathered in the produce section of the Family Food Center at Chene and East Lafayette streets. The grocery store, a former Farmer Jack, is the first participant in the Green Grocer Project.
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