Oct. 2, 2019 9:05p
(WGTD)---Plenty of questions but no commitment—at least not yet—from a key committee of the Racine County Board to a request from a food cooperative for financial help in establishing a community-oriented grocery store in an underserved area on Racine’s north side.
Several representatives of the board of directors of Wild Root Market, including board president Gloria Randall-Hewitt-- went before the county’s Finance and Human Resources Committee Wednesday night to make their pitch. "Wild Root Market believes strongly that we can be a catalyst for all kinds of wonderful things in Racine County and in the City of Racine," she said.
Wild Root is asking the county for a $739,000 collateralized loan to complete the financing package that'll enable it to begin converting an empty office building near Racine's zoo to a modern grocery store that specializes in offering healthy, locally-grown produce--- and community service.
With the help of a $175,000 grant from the city, the building has already been purchased. The neighborhood in which it sits has been described as one of Racine's "food deserts."
At Wednesday night's meeting, several county board supervisors asked sharp questions about the co-op’s business plan—some were fielded by a familiar face. Wild Root Treasurer Doug Stansil is a former county finance director.
Stansil and the other board members said they believe Wild Root has a viable business plan in part because it’s already signed up over 1,200 members, all of whom have lent the co-op at least $200 apiece in start-up money.
The committee is expected to vote on the county loan request sometime this month.
County Executive Jonathan Delagrave was at the meeting but didn’t speak on the issue. Asked about the group's request by a reporter, Delagrave said he’ll work with the county board on whatever it decides.
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