Senate bill aims to keep rural grocery stores afloat

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota has lost 47 rural grocery stores since 2014, according to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. A Senate bill looks to support some of the 90 stores still in business.

Senate Bill 2228 provides a million dollars in grant funding to keep rural grocery stores open. John Fielding, with the New England Community Store, says state funding is needed to prevent people from driving long distances for groceries and limit corporate takeovers of main street.

“Voting yes will not just preserve businesses, it will ensure access to nutritious food, improving economic health of small towns, and preserving social stability. This bill shows we, as a state, value our people,” said Fielding.

Nobody testified in opposition.

Fielding says some of the wording in the bill may need to be tweaked to prevent big-brand stores from applying for the funds.

The House Finance and Taxation Committee took no action.