When steel and manufacturing jobs dried up over the last several decades in Venice, Illinois, the town lost two-thirds of the population, followed by its only grocery store and only school. But now, Venice hopes to make a comeback.

Venice

Venice, Illinois, a small town that has experienced significant population decline and the loss of its only grocery store and school, is seeing signs of renewal with the construction of a new grocery store, medical clinic, and affordable housing. The initiative is being led by Ed Hightower, a retired school superintendent and Venice native, who is personally investing in the project and will manage the store.

The development is supported by both state funding and local investment, with community leaders viewing Venice as a potential model for other small towns facing similar challenges. Residents express hope that these changes will help restore a sense of community and provide better opportunities for future generations.

Why a small Illinois town is finding hope in a new grocery store

That is this area right here. It may be hard to see what Ed Hightower sees in this empty lot in Venice, IL. This will be the front parking lot right here. Progress who would have dreamt that four years ago we would be where we are today. Take this new school. It's exactly what the retired school superintendent envisioned for this small town 20 miles from where he was born. I don't care what color you are, what belief you have. You want to reside in a safe. Area where you can go to school. You go get your groceries with the steel and manufacturing jobs dried up over the last several decades. Venice lost 2 thirds of its population, then it's only grocery store and finally it's only school. But this former college basketball referee knew the rules of the game. In this case, how to get state money flowing Venice is way. There are no handouts here. That's not happening. This is the starts at the root of people who want to change their community when you have that level of investment that we see here in Venice, that's the bedrock for success. Deputy Governor Andy Menard sees Venice as a tryout for other small towns. There's no political label you put on a community. Label you put on a community that has lost a grocery store. That grocery store is set to begin construction next month, along with a medical clinic and affordable housing. I will have skin in the game to make sure that it's successful, and it's not just state money funding the store. Hightower is personally investing and he'll manage it while leasing the building from the town. Growing up in Venice, it was very family oriented. Everybody knows everybody here. After a lifetime of watching things close, Venice native Alexis Williams saw hope when she dropped her five year old daughter Navy off at that new school. She was excited and I was excited to see that we have a new building in our in our city is great. What are you hoping for Navy? I'm hoping that Venice grows and that she doesn't ever have to feel like she has to move away from home to have a better opportunity in life. So what motivates you now? Given something back this country kid who never thought first of all, I'd get an education to go as high as a doctorate in education. But my mom always taught us you don't get there by yourself. It Hightower's golden rule. Life is a team sport. For Ion America, I'm James Brown in Venice, IL.

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