From Mariangela Pledl, Director of Small Business Programs
Today, the DEGC Small Business Team proudly announced its latest round of Motor City Re-Store award winners. In our third round, we awarded 42 local Detroit businesses grants totaling nearly half a million dollars. This money can be used towards construction and design exterior improvements to help long-time Detroit businesses elevate their curb appeal, and in turn enhance the look and feel of their neighborhoods.
Motor City Re-Store was created by the DEGC to help the small businesses that have been committed to staying in Detroit. We’re proud that the DEGC has helped to shape a thriving business community, but with the influx of new businesses, we have to remain committed to our long-time community anchors. Through Motor City Re-Store, those businesses can receive a matching grant for façade improvements, signage, and more to help keep their operations competitive and welcoming.
Of this latest round of Motor City Re-Store winners, 59 percent of the businesses are minority-owned. The winners include a wide range of businesses providing goods and services to meet residents’ needs including, hair salons, a pharmacy, restaurants and markets, and a pet hospital. Award recipients’ businesses are located across 29 of Detroit’s neighborhoods.
Motor City Re-Store and its sister program Motor City Match, are rebuilding neighborhood commerce and providing residents with the goods and services they need and want. When we support our fellow Detroiters, and invest in our existing small businesses, we help create density and beautify our neighborhoods. This is all a part of a greater vision to ensure that Detroit remains a great place to work and live.
How Motor City Re-Store Works
Motor City Re-Store will provide approximately $2 million annually in matching grants to existing business owners and their landlords for façade and other exterior improvements.
Winners are named in two tracks:
• Construction Track: Businesses that have shovel-ready projects can receive grants for construction for façade, landscaping and other exterior improvements;
• Design Track: These businesses will receive financial and technical assistance in getting a design for the exterior improvements. Once they complete their designs, the businesses are eligible to apply for construction awards.
Grant winners in the Construction Track are awarded matching funds of up to $25,000. The six construction grants awarded in Round Three total nearly $115,000. Design Track winners are eligible for grants of up to $10,000. Those 36 design grants awarded totaled $360,000. Grant amounts are estimates and may vary as each project proceeds.
Motor City Re-Store is accepting applications for Round 5 starting on June 1 through July 2, 2018. Business owners and landlords must apply jointly for 50 percent matching grants up to $25,000. Multiple businesses applying as a group are eligible for 75 percent matching grants. Applications can be submitted at www.motorcityre-store.com and paper applications are available upon request.
Congratulations to our awardees and welcome to the Motor City Re-Store family!
Six companies have been awarded a total of $114,080 in construction grants:
• Beautiful Bridal, owners Vallery Hyduk & Keasha Rigsby, $21,600
o 2921 E. Jefferson Ave., Elmwood Park
• Jefferson Chevrolet DBA Trader Ray Tire Center, owner Brian Tellier, $25,000
o 2130 E. Jefferson Ave., Elmwood Park
• Kan Bookstore, owner Jamii Tata, $25,000
o 9405 John R St., North End
• R66 Consulting & Publishing, owner Kai Cassells, $25,000
o 9417 John R St., North End
• Rite On, owner Saied A. Salem, $15,380
o 6935 Michigan Ave., Claytown
• Third Wave Music, owner Jen David, $2,100
o 3180 E. Jefferson Ave., Midtown
36 business have been awarded a total of $360,000 in design grants:
• 7 Mile Community Outreach, owner Rozlynne M. Reynolds, $10,000
o 13000 W. 7 Mile Rd., Greenwich
• 21st Century Salon, owner La Keisha Williams, $10,000
o 19353 Livernois Ave., Bagley
• 2930 E. Jefferson, owner Matthew R. Abel, $10,000
o 2930 E. Jefferson Ave., Rivertown
• Always Brewing Detroit, owner Cody Williams, $10,000
o 19180 Grand River Ave., North Rosedale Park
• Amore da Roma, owner Guy Pelino, $10,000
o 3401 Riopelle St., Eastern Market
• Andrews & Hardy Funeral Home, owner Karen Hardy, $10,000
o 13841 Gratiot Ave., Franklin