Food desert bill passed, but without any money
Nevada lawmakers this year initially approved $10 million to fund a loan program to attract grocery stores to underserved communities.
During the last days of the legislative session and the accompanying scramble among competing interests for funding, however, the money was taken out. As passed, Assembly Bill 326 instead relies on a combination of existing state and federal tax credits to attract financing for fresh food retailers to neighborhoods without grocery stores.
“This was the best method to move ahead with the bill and serve the most communities,” said Democratic Assemblyman William McCurdy, the bill’s sponsor. “I’m pleased with what we were able to do to make sure the intent of the bill remained intact.”
But without the additional sweetener of state funding, it is unclear how much investment will be attracted to efforts to establish grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods just by giving investors credits against their tax bills.
Read more: https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/06/21/food-desert-bill-passed-but-without-any-money/