Good Food Retailer Certification Program (1230-2026)

At a glance

Based on a speech-to-text transcript; names and numbers may be misheard.

What: Ordinance 1230-2026 (Councilmembers Conwell, Santana and Griffin, by departmental request) creates a Good Food Retailer Certification Program and authorizes a job retention income tax credit for certified grocers, each credit subject to separate Council legislation.
Where it stands: heard in the Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee on 2026-10-19; a roll call was taken but the tally is unclear in the transcript. It still goes to the Development, Planning and Sustainability and Finance committees.

Grocers must show financial need (typically two to three years of financial statements) and are scored on at least 40% fresh nutritious food, accepting SNAP and WIC, Cleveland hires and wages, sustainable practices, donating surplus food and buying from Ohio producers.
The credit is up to 100% of the city income tax the grocer pays, for two years; certification also lasts two years with reporting. Ohio law allows retention credits up to 15 years. Example given: a $250,000 payroll owes $6,250 a year.
Finance's rough cost estimate is $500,000 to $1 million. A Good Food Retail Fund would be built from grants and philanthropy; no funding source is identified and no general fund money is requested.
Concerns: Tanmay Shah urged holding it for data on grocery income tax revenue (staff said at least $2 million) and objected that it has no incentive for new grocers in food deserts, no affordability criteria, and could open the door to credits for other industries. Joseph Jones supported it but cautioned about general fund spending. Stephanie Howse-Jones asked what other tax credits the city offers.
Staff said affordability would be factored into later recommendations and that Council must approve every certification and credit.

2026-10-19 - Health, Human Services and the Arts Committee - Presented and debated; roll call taken; continues to other committees.