EDMONTON, Ky. — Applications are now open for a grant program offering up to $1.25 million in public funding to help establish a full-service grocery store in Edmonton.
The Fresh Market/Grocery Store Grant Program will provide financial assistance to a single qualifying applicant that establishes a grocery store within Edmonton city limits.
The program is funded through a memorandum of agreement between the City of Edmonton and Metcalfe County. The city will contribute up to $750,000, while the county will provide up to $500,000.
The program comes as Edmonton continues its efforts to bring a grocery store back to the community, which has gone months without one.
Mayor Doug Smith previously said securing a grocery store is one of the city’s biggest concerns.
“One of our biggest concerns is the need for a grocery store and the city is still contacting surrounding grocers with incentive offers for them to locate here,” Smith said in June.
Edmonton has previously explored other avenues to attract a grocer.
Representatives of Houchens Food Group attended an Edmonton City Council meeting in November 2025 to hear concerns and discuss the community’s needs.
Edmonton City Clerk Dawn Devore previously told Barrenside that Houchens completed a feasibility study related to the community, although she said she had not seen the study or its findings.
Houchens did not respond to a previous request for comment about whether it remained interested in locating a store in Metcalfe County.
How the grant will work
The Barren River Area Development District will administer the program and oversee the application and selection process.
The funding will be awarded through a competitive request for proposals. BRADD will collect applications, review eligibility and financial information, coordinate an evaluation committee and send funding recommendations to the city and county.
Applicants must demonstrate experience operating a grocery or retail business, have control of a site within Edmonton and have enough financial capacity to pay project expenses before seeking reimbursement.
The selected business also must commit to operating a full-service grocery store with an emphasis on fresh foods.
Applications will be scored on five categories:
- Business and operational experience: 25 points
- Financial viability and business plan: 25 points
- Fresh food access and inventory: 25 points
- Site design and project timeline: 15 points
- Local economic impact: 10 points
The evaluation will consider the applicant's grocery experience, proposed revenue and capital structure, the amount of space dedicated to fresh food, construction and renovation plans, parking and accessibility, job creation and wages.
The guidelines also encourage the use of Kentucky agricultural products.
What the money can pay for
The grant is intended to help cover the physical infrastructure and equipment needed to establish the store.
Eligible expenses include commercial coolers and freezers, refrigerated display cases, interior renovations, electrical and plumbing work, architectural fees, point-of-sale systems, shelving, shopping carts and security equipment.
Parking accessibility improvements and grocery storefront signage also can qualify.
The grant cannot be used for regular operating expenses such as rent, utilities, maintenance or employee wages. Routine grocery inventory also is excluded.
The program will operate strictly on a reimbursement basis. The selected business must pay eligible expenses first and then submit documentation, including invoices, receipts and proof of payment, before receiving reimbursement.
Five-year commitment required
The selected grocer will be required to operate continuously at the Edmonton location for at least five years.
If the business closes without authorization during that period, it could be required to repay a portion of the grant.
The repayment amount decreases by 20% for each full year the business remains open. For example, a business that closes during its third year would be required to repay 60% of the funds it received.
The repayment would be calculated using the actual amount reimbursed to the business, rather than the full $1.25 million available through the program.
For example, a business that received $800,000 and closed during its third year would be responsible for repaying $480,000.
The city will serve as the lead fiscal administrator and handle reimbursement approvals.
For the first $1 million reimbursed, Edmonton and Metcalfe County will split the cost evenly. The remaining $250,000 available through the program would come entirely from the city.
The city also will provide quarterly reports to the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court detailing money spent, remaining funds and project progress.
The selected business must maintain records related to the grant for at least five years after the final payment.
How to apply
Applications are due by the close of business Monday, Sept. 14.
Application packets are available through the Barren River Area Development District, Edmonton City Hall and the Metcalfe County Government Center. Applications also may be requested online.
For more information, contact BRADD at 270-781-2381.
