SB3972

Illinois SB3972 establishes a grant program to fund hydroponic agriculture in food deserts and vacant commercial spaces.

Illinois SB3972 creates the Hydroponic Initiative Grant Program, administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program aims to increase access to healthy food in areas designated as food deserts and to utilize vacant commercial spaces. Grants can be used for market studies, purchasing vacant commercial space, capital improvements, and equipment. The Department can prioritize grants based on factors like poverty rates and geographic diversity. The program defines a food desert as a census tract meeting certain poverty and population density criteria.