The proposed "Supermarket Tax Incentive Expansion Approval Resolution of 2024" aims to broaden the geographic scope of the Supermarket Tax Incentive Program in Washington, D.C. This program provides tax exemptions to grocery stores that establish themselves in designated areas, thereby promoting investment and development in neighborhoods that currently lack access to fresh food options. The resolution specifically seeks to include downtown D.C. and several Northeast neighborhoods—Woodridge, North Michigan Park, Lamond Riggs, Queens Chapel, and Fort Totten—where there is a significant population but limited grocery options. The expansion is intended to support the District's goal of increasing downtown residency and improving food access in underserved areas.

The rationale behind this expansion is twofold: first, to address the anticipated increase in downtown residents by providing more grocery options, and second, to recapture grocery spending that currently occurs outside the District. The resolution highlights the need for grocery stores to keep pace with housing development, as the latter often outstrips the former, creating a food access gap. By incentivizing supermarket development in these areas, the District aims to enhance food accessibility, stimulate economic growth, and create job opportunities within the food economy, ultimately benefiting both current and future residents.