 Detroit
Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) today announced the formal launch of
its neighborhood retail development program -- Detroit REVOLVE. REVOLVE
is a collaboration in which DEGC will partner with community leaders,
building owners, entrepreneurs, and artists to activate vacant
storefronts with transformational businesses and art installations. The
goal of the program is to foster the evolution and vibrancy of
Detroit?s neighborhood business districts. Pop-up retail stores that
open this weekend in West Village at Agnes and Parker Sts. are a pilot
project for REVOLVE.
"We have seen the successes of Downtown
pop-ups and artists turning vacant storefronts into outdoor galleries;
we know we have a rich supply of walkable retail districts with a
distinct character and history; and we know we have a deep pool of
entrepreneurial talent and untapped demand," said Michael Forsyth, DEGC
manager of retail development. "REVOLVE simply stirs all that together
to create a retail evolution for Detroiters and city visitors."
REVOLVE aims to benefit neighborhoods, building owners, artists and entrepreneurs by:
- Matching entrepreneurs and artists with opportunities to transform vacant spaces into active places
- Connecting property owners to a suite of resources to create retail ready space
- Recruiting and supporting both temporary and high-quality, long-term
retail businesses for neighborhoods that have a strong sense of
community identity and distinctive, walkable retail districts
- Creating ?buzz? by changing the conversation, image and customer experience on the street and online
- Showcasing Detroit?s world-class art scene to new audiences in person and online
All these tasks will help transform the image and potential of Detroit's historic neighborhoods.
REVOLVE would like to thank many organizations and individuals that contributed to the development of this program. REVOLVE and the West Village pilot program was funded in part through a grant award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Detroit, the Hudson Webber Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Find REVOLVE at Twitter: @RevolveDetroit. Search Facebook for Revolve Detroit. For more information about the REVOLVE program contact:
Michael Forsyth
mforsyth@degc.org
313.237.4629
Background: Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
is a non-profit organization that serves as the lead implementing
agency for business retention, attraction and economic development
initiatives in the city of Detroit. DEGC is led by a 60-member board
comprised of business, civic, labor and community leaders. Its 40
professionals provide staff services for key public authorities that
offer tax credits and other forms of financing for projects that bring
new jobs or economic activity to the city. Among them: the Downtown
Development Authority (DDA), Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
(DBRA), Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Neighborhood
Development Corporation (NDC), Local Development Finance Authority
(LDFA), and Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). DEGC also provides
planning, project management and other services under contract to the
City of Detroit.
Media contact
Bob Rossbach
313-402-9831
bob@rossbach.tv |