EDMONTON, Ky. — A new grant could help pave the way for a grocery store in Edmonton, where residents have gone several months without one.

City leaders recently set aside up to $750,000 in the city’s budget for a Fresh Market/Grocery Development Grant, an incentive program designed to attract a grocery retailer to locate within the city limits.

Mayor Doug Smith said city officials have been working with the Kentucky League of Cities, the city’s attorney, auditor and the Barren River Area Development District to develop the program.

“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.

According to Smith, the grant would be available to a prospective grocery store that agrees to open in Edmonton. The city plans to work with the Barren River Area Development District to establish guidelines for the program before applications are released.

“I continue working hard to ensure a grocery store can and will locate here and feel these funds could assist with such a great project,” Smith said.

The grant application has not yet been finalized, though city officials said they hope it will be available soon.

The city has previously explored other avenues to bring a grocery store to the community. Representatives of Houchens Food Group attended a Nov. 3, 2025, Edmonton City Council meeting to hear concerns and discuss the community’s needs.

Houchens did not respond to a request for comment seeking information about whether the company remains interested in locating a store in Metcalfe County.

Reached by phone, Edmonton City Clerk Dawn Devore said Houchens completed a feasibility study related to the community, though she said she has never seen a copy of the report and was unaware of its findings.

Whether the study supported development of a grocery store in Edmonton remains unclear. Barrenside asked Houchens for a copy of the study.