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Motor City Match helps century-old family business rebuild Detroit

Oct 3, 2018

From Kevin Johnson, President and CEO

Not many companies have remained in the city for nearly a century. Advance Plumbing is one of those rare businesses. For four generations, the Moss family continues to serve Detroit’s construction needs. Recently, it received a Motor City Match award, allowing the Moss’ to open the city’s first-ever decorative plumbing showroom. The 20,000 sq./ft. showroom rivals anything you’d see in New York or Chicago for grandeur and opulence. Contractors, designers and plumbers are purchasing everything from sinks to claw-foot tubs to outfit buildings throughout Detroit.

The family-owned plumbing supply company was founded in 1920 and has supplied plumbing equipment to historic landmarks such as the J.L. Hudson’s Building and Little Caesars Arena. The company has endured a storied history, from World War II to the construction of the lodge and the ’67 riots and now, the city’s resurgence and development boom. As the Moss’ like to say, “Advance Plumbing has gone from repairing Detroit to rebuilding it.”

“Advance Plumbing stuck with Detroit when a lot of others didn’t and it’s wonderful to see it flourishing and participating in our city’s comeback, thanks to the Motor City Match program,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “The dedication of business owners like Jeff and his family are a big part of the reason we are seeing so many positive changes happening in the city.”

Advance Plumbing is the latest MCM supported business to open or expand in the city. To date, the program has helped to open 43 businesses across Detroit, providing $6 million in grants and catalyzing $39.6 million in investment. Of the 1,150 MCM businesses, 61 percent are Detroiters and 80 percent represent minorities. Advance Plumbing’s accomplishment speaks to what MCM was designed to do – support Detroiters and create opportunity. In a city where new businesses are opening daily, it’s important to recognize those that have supported Detroit before most of us were here.

Located at 150 Parsons Street in Midtown, Advance Plumbing provides plumbing and lighting supplies to local plumbers, designers and contractors to support the city’s burgeoning construction community. The company is a Motor City Match Round 3 awardee and received a $100,000 cash grant award to assist with opening its Midtown showroom. The business has created jobs for 10 new employees, five of which are local Detroit residents.

Five things you should know about the DEGC:

  1. MCM awardee, Urbanum recently celebrated their grand opening at 6545 Woodward Ave. They are a home décor store.
  2. President & CEO Kevin Johnson gave keynote address at Downtown Detroit Partnership Fall Stakeholder Meeting on Sept. 27.
  3. Kevin Johnson will also be participating in the New York Times TechTalkOct. 2 at the Gem Theatre. Panelists will discuss Detroit’s mobility leadership.
  4. MCM awardee, Rebel Cycle Studio is set to celebrate their grand opening on Oct. 22 with fellow MCM awardee Detroit City Fieldhouse.
  5. Mayor Mike Duggan and leaders from around the globe will join former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for the CityLab Detroit conference, Oct. 28-30.

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