Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot commended the 79 organizations that were awarded a total of approximately $50 million in funding for economic development projects throughout the city.

“When our local entrepreneurs have the tools they need to grow their small businesses, they thrive!” Lightfoot wrote in a July 19 Twitter post. “Congratulations to each and every one of our 79 finalists who are making our neighborhoods that much more livable, functional, and enjoyable.”

More than 600 applicants sought community development grants. Finalists were chosen based on various factors including business readiness, community impact and location, the Chicago Crusader reported.

“This is an investment directly in Chicago’s future by creating more resilient & economically vibrant communities across our city,” Lightfoot wrote in another tweet.

The Chicago Crusader reported more than half of the awarded grants will go toward projects on the city’s South and West sides with a majority being food-related businesses. One grant recipient is Cleveland-based Yellow Banana, which has been awarded $13.5 million to reopen Save-A-Lot locations in Auburn Gresham, Morgan Park, South Chicago, South Shore, West Garfield Park, and West Lawn, Audacy reported.

“We need to be solving problems, one of which is making sure that we continue to eliminate the food deserts that plague too many of our communities,” Lightfoot said, according to Audacy.

South and West side residents have been struggling to access groceries amid closures of many Aldi and Whole Foods area locations. ABC7 reported Aldi closed its Auburn Gresham store on the South Side in June due to repeated burglaries and declining sales.