By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-858654.mp3
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Grocers Association is encouraging its members to take advantage of a state tax credit program that offers an incentive to locate or expand their businesses in underserved communities.
Michigan's grocery tax credit program has been on the books for more than a year, but it's taken time to compile information on where the tax can be best applied.
Census data shows 54 percent of the state's population is considered underserved. That includes both urban and rural areas.
Michigan Grocers Association president Linda Gobler says low income and a lack of transportation limit people's access to healthy foods.
"If you don't have your own car and you're not on a bus route, it could be challenging for you to really get a lot of the fresh products that everybody really needs in their diet," Gobler says.
The tax credit awareness campaign comes just days after retail giants Wal-Mart and Meijer announced major store expansions in metro Detroit.