Applicants to build Metcalfe County’s only grocery store to open, 10,500 residents currently reside in food desert

EDMONTON, Ky. – Applications to build Metcalfe County’s only grocery store will open this month.

According to a release, the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) is seeking qualified applicants for the only full-service grocery in Metcalfe County.

The City of Edmonton contributed $750,000, with an additional $500,000 from the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court. BRADD will oversee the grant application process.

The awarded grocer will receive a $1.25 million reimbursement within the first five years after the grocery store’s opening, according to the release.

BRADD estimates that approximately 10,500 residents of Metcalfe County live in a food desert. Residents travel more than 20 miles to Glasgow or Columbia for groceries.

According to the release, BRADD will evaluate applicants based on metrics of business and operational experience, financial viability, proven inventory and fresh food access, site design and timeline, and a local economic impact report.

BRADD says the application will be open from Wednesday, August 12 until 4:30 pm through September 14.

What They’re Saying

“A grocery is so essential, especially to the senior citizens of Metcalfe county so they have access to the foods they need. I have met with several of them and they have agreed that getting food was a serious problem for them. Also, not having a grocery creates a negative impact for economic development,” said County Judge Executive Larry Wilson.

“The City of Edmonton is pleased to be able to offer this grant to attract a fresh market grocery to our community. We understand that not everyone has the resources to travel outside our area for basic needs and our residents deserve to be able to shop locally. We have been working diligently on this project and encourage everyone to support the successful applicant once the store is open,” said Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith.