Edmonton Offers $1.25 Million Grant to Attract Grocery Store

Staff Report

Edmonton and Metcalfe County are offering up to $1.25 million in public funding to help establish a full-service grocery store within the city.

Applications are now being accepted for the Fresh Market/Grocery Store Grant Program, which will provide financial assistance to one qualifying applicant. The City of Edmonton has committed up to $750,000, while Metcalfe County will provide up to $500,000.

The initiative follows months of efforts to restore local access to groceries after Edmonton was left without a full-service store.

Mayor Doug Smith identified recruiting a grocer as one of the city’s top priorities in June, saying officials were contacting grocery companies and offering incentives to locate in Edmonton.

The city previously explored opportunities with Houchens Food Group. Company representatives attended an Edmonton City Council meeting in November 2025 to hear residents’ concerns and discuss the community’s needs.

City Clerk Dawn Devore later said Houchens had conducted a feasibility study, although she had not reviewed its findings. The company did not respond to an earlier request for comment about whether it remained interested in opening a Metcalfe County location.

The Barren River Area Development District will administer the new grant program through a competitive request-for-proposals process. BRADD will receive applications, review applicants’ eligibility and financial information, coordinate an evaluation committee and submit funding recommendations to the city and county.

Applicants must have experience operating a grocery or retail business, control an eligible site within Edmonton and demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover project expenses before requesting reimbursement.

The successful applicant must commit to operating a full-service grocery store with an emphasis on fresh food, providing Edmonton and surrounding Metcalfe County residents with dependable access to essential groceries.