$1.24 million in cash grants awarded to 23 new businesses at Round 25 Awards ceremony.
New Detroit ventures include a childcare center, multimedia production studio, mini market selling household goods and multiple cafes and restaurants specializing in different cuisines.
In Round 25, 81% are minority-owned businesses; 71% are women-owned businesses; and 68% are businesses owned by Detroit residents.
Since doubling its grant funding thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in August 2022, more than $17.1 million in grants have been awarded through the program to new and existing businesses.
JANUARY 23, 2024 (DETROIT) – Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to support 23 Detroit businesses in Round 25 of Motor City Match. The grants will support the opening of nearly two dozen new storefronts in the city of Detroit.
The twenty-three new businesses will be located across 19 Detroit neighborhoods, including Cadillac Heights, Sherwood Forest, Eastern Market, Bagley and New Center (full list below). The latest group of Motor City Match recipients include an assortment of businesses and services, including a childcare center, multimedia production studio, a mini market selling household essentials and several restaurants showcasing diverse cuisines like Filipino food.
“Motor City Match continues to help new entrepreneurs transform neighborhood commercial districts throughout our city,” said Mayor Duggan. “In this round alone, residents in nearly 20 individual neighborhoods will have new goods and services accessible near their homes.”
Program granted new life through federal dollars
In addition to the $1.2 million in grants to help the 23 new brick-and-mortar businesses open, eight existing small businesses were awarded a total of $171,800 to make physical improvements to their existing space, bringing the total investment into small businesses in this round to $1.4 million.
“This funding is helping propel 23 Detroit businesses forward as they grow their companies and make their entrepreneurial dreams happen. But even more, this investment supports the bigger picture – it contributes to making Detroit a vibrant, economically strong city that we all care deeply about,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “The DEGC remains dedicated to nurturing a thriving business community here in Detroit, and we can't wait to see the positive changes these grants will spark in our neighborhoods.”
A major source of funding for Motor City Match grants is President Biden's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The injection of ARPA dollars has enabled the program to double its quarterly grant awards to $1 million per round, assisting even more entrepreneurs in renovating and revitalizing their spaces. Since Round 20, this influx of $8 million has empowered local business owners to pursue their aspirations while uplifting the wider Detroit community. By leveraging the federal funding, Motor City Match continues opening doors for small businesses across the city.
The program also offered awards to 52 more entrepreneurs in its Business Plan, Develop and Design tracks in addition to the grants. These awards offer essential support for Detroit businesses still working on their projects, including business services, training and one-on-one advising.
In total, 83 Detroit businesses representing five council districts received support from Motor City Match’s 25th round.
“Each year the DEGC through Motor City Match continues to expand its reach by tapping new businesses and entrepreneurs within various markets and industries to grow and support our small business community,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “This program continues to assist the creative and innovative business owners in Detroit who have a vision for their communities and understand the important role small businesses play in creating and developing strong ties to our residents and neighborhoods.”
Since 2015, Motor City Match has awarded more than 2,000 businesses, resulting in 165 new brick-and-mortar businesses currently operating throughout the city. Motor City Match continues to grow Detroit’s small-business landscape Combined with its other small business programming, DEGC is creating a sustainable small business environment that nurtures new concepts and ideas. Motor City Match offers business owners a wide range of assistance in five tracks Plan, Develop, Design, Cash and Restore. The program helps Detroit entrepreneurs plan, formalize, and launch their business by providing business planning classes, site-selection assistance, financial planning, legal aid, design services and gap funding. Through 25 rounds of the program:
Total business open: 165
Total businesses under construction: 93
Total cash grants: $17.1 million
Total leveraged investment: $98 million
81 percent are minority-owned businesses
71 percent are women-owned businesses
68 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
2,019 total business served
About Motor City Match Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. More information is available at www.MotorCityMatch.com
Motor City Match Round 25 Cash awardees:
Good Vibes Lounge Express – $75,000
Full-service contemporary social lounge offering food and beverage
18597 Livernois
Bagley, District 2
1st Step Healthcare Training LLC – $20,000
A certified nursing assistant training school offering classroom instruction and practical experience to prepare students to pass their CNA certification exam
7800 W Outer Drive
Greenwich, District 2
Anna’s Café – $50,000
Petite mobile espresso cart
81 Erskine
Brush Park, District 6
CircleTime with Friends Learning Center Too – $85,000
Provides affordable and high-quality childcare services to local families
5400 E Seven Mile
Krainz Woods, District 3
Cook Like a Boss Detroit– $30,000
A hospitality and entertainment venue offering instructional cooking classes using the COOK LIKE A BOSS® approach to teach home culinary skills
1312 Mt. Elliot
Eastern Market, District 5
Savoy Restaurant – $75,000
An East Warren corridor establishment providing exceptional food, service, and entertainment to customers
17131 E Warren
Cornerstone Village, District 4
Whittier Bodega – $50,000
An inner-city neighborhood grocery/convenience store for all household and cosmetic items
11001 Whittier
Outer Drive-Hayes, District 4
ENOMAH 1895 LLC – $65,000
An elevated Asian American dining experience located in the heart of downtown Detroit in Paradise Valley where guests will experience a culinary journey for dinner, nightlife and entertainment
311 E Grand River
Downtown, District 6
Goodboy Multimedia – $30,000
Goodboy Multimedia operates as a dynamic multimedia company specializing in photography, videography, graphic design, live stream, and more
3939 Woodward, Ste 40
Midtown, District 6
Jess Love Boutique, LLC – $25,000
Jess Love Boutique specializes in catering to plus-size women, presenting a thoughtfully curated array of fashionable, high-quality clothing that includes collaborations with local designers
19194 Livernois
Sherwood Forest, District 2
JIMA Studio – $30,000
A landscape architectural design and urban planning studio that collaborates with community groups, organizations and builders committed to culturally relevant placemaking and strategic implementation
8045 Linwood
Wildemere Park, District 5
Josephine’s Learning Center – $45,000
A developmental program, fostering children's learning through play with a primary focus on promoting positive self-esteem
17481 Joseph Campau
Cadillac Heights, District 3
JP Makes & Bakes – $60,000
JP Makes & Bakes is a bakery serving high-quality Asian and Filipino food
6529 Woodward
New Center, District 5
Louisiana Creole Gumbo Restaurants – $75,000
Louisiana Creole Gumbo comprises a collection of quick-service restaurants specializing in authentic Creole, Cajun and southern dishes.
2830 Gratiot
McDougall-Hunt, District 5
Little Liberia, LLC – $80,000
Afrofusion pop-up restaurant introducing Liberia's rich multicultural cuisines to the people of metro Detroit
6513 Woodward
New Center, District 5
Little Minds Enrichment Center LLC – $50,000
A full-service juice bar, community hub and event center
12518 Hayes
Mapleridge, District 4
Little Stinkers: Kiddie Kaboodles Learning Village – $60,000
Offers a comprehensive enrichment program catering to children age 4 through 14 for before and after school activities A comprehensive before and after school enrichment program for children ages 4-14
15600 W Seven Mile
Greenfield, District 2
Modish Creative Co – $30,000
Specializes in delivering dynamic brand strategies tailored to the specific needs of each client
7450 Woodward
North End, District 5
One Seven Spaces – $60,000
An hourly short-term commercial rental company for intimate gatherings, social immersion experiences, podcasts, talkbacks, filming and other media events
1314 Holden St Unit D
Elijah McCoy, District 5
Pink Poodle Dress Lounge – $50,000
A dress shop that offers wedding, prom, and formal dresses to its valued customers
19147 Livernois
Bagley, District 2
Rent Free Coffee Co. – $50,000
Specialty coffee shop and social club
10103 Kercheval
East Village, District 5
Stafford House – $75,000
Provides engineering consulting to automotive suppliers
9301 Oakland
North End, District 5
Warda Patisserie – $75,000
Warda Patisserie is an award-winning patisserie drawing inspiration from the seasons in Southeast Michigan and the culinary influences of Algeria, France, and Asia
1280 McClellan
East Village, District 5
Motor City Match Round 25 Restore awardees:
Andrews and Hardy Funeral Home – $25,000
13841 Gratiot Ave
Franklin, District 3
Dollar Daze Plus Two Inc. – $25,000
13881 Gratiot Ave
Franklin, District 3
DSDT– $25,000
1759 21st St
Central Southwest, District 6
Kiddos Village Academy, Inc. – $3,500
16950 East Warren Ave
East English Village, District 4
Hygrade Deli – $25,000
3640 Michigan Ave
Chadsey Condo, District 6
Yum Village LLC (New Center) – $25,000
6500 Woodward Ave
Milwaukee Junction, District 5
Yum Village LLC (West Village) – $25,000
8029 Agnes St
West Village, District 5
MMB Enterprises, Inc. – $18,300
19721 W. 7 Mile Rd
Evergreen-Outer Drive, District 1
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