Three small business programs are actively connecting Detroiters with opportunities to renew and expand their businesses.
D2D
The D2D program is an ongoing pipeline to match developers with local contractors specializing in renovation, rehabilitation and redevelopment projects.
Recently, Joe Tate and Keyra Cokley hosted a D2D PRO Session for Detroit contractors to showcase opportunities with the new Pistons Performance Center and Henry Ford Health System Center for Athletic Medicine. The $70 million construction project will kick off this fall for an anticipated opening in mid-2019. The 167,000-sq. ft. facility will house the headquarters for Palace Sports & Entertainment as well as basketball courts, advanced training rooms and a parking structure.
More than 60 representatives of Detroit’s business community came to learn more about the project and the opportunities available.
“The D2D PRO Session on the Detroit Pistons Performance Center and Henry Ford Health System Center for Athletic Medicine provided not only several bidding opportunities within the city of Detroit, but created an environment that fosters other collaborative project opportunities with my peers in the construction industry,” said Kimle Nailer, president, Nail-Rite Construction Company, Inc.
The next PRO Session is September 8, 2017, and will focus on 7 LIV, a mixed-use development of retail, residential and parking on the corner of 7 Mile Rd. and Livernois. The estimated investment is $8 million.
Motor City Match
Motor City Match (MCM) connects entrepreneurs who operate new or expanding businesses in Detroit with real estate opportunities and a variety of other resources. Since launched by the Mayor in early 2015, more than $3.9 million in grants have been awarded to 87 winners, and infused a total of $24 million in Detroit’s neighborhood commercial corridors. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
On August 14, Motor City Match announced 13 matching grant awards totaling $500,000 to a variety of businesses in neighborhoods across the city of Detroit, including Rosedale Park, Islandview, Bagley, Southwest, We Care Community, Boston Edison and Jefferson. MCM will provide additionally selected entrepreneurs assistance with business plan writing, space locating and renovation planning.
The next application window for building and business owners to apply for grants and other assistance opens Friday, September 1, 2017, and closes October 2, 2017.
Motor City Re-Store
The newest program, Motor City Re-Store, helps established neighborhood businesses boost their curb appeal. Every three months, selected businesses will receive matching grants to improve the exterior of their business and enhance Detroit’s walkability and attractiveness.
Its next application window also opens September 1 and closes October 1.
DEGC is proud to offer a network of support for every kind of small business in every phase of growth. Working in partnership with Mayor Duggan’s office and private, philanthropic, and non-profit organizations, our goal is to help businesses locate and thrive in Detroit.