$300K also distributed to help 14 existing small businesses make building improvements
Motor City Match fuels small biz growth, from a performing arts center and luxury wardrobe rental service to the country’s first hybrid infrared movement studio and bone broth bar
In Round 24, 81% are minority-owned businesses; 71% are women-owned businesses; and 68% are businesses owned by Detroit residents
Since receiving additional ARPA funding, more than $6.5 million in grants have been awarded through the program to new and existing businesses
OCTOBER 30, 2023 (DETROIT) – Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) awarded $1.1 million in grants to 19 new small businesses that will soon open in Detroit, thanks to the Motor City Match program.
The 19 new businesses will be located across 18 Detroit neighborhoods, including Mexicantown, University District, Milwaukee-Junction, Bagley and Central Southwest. Among the new ventures receiving grants through Round 24 of Motor City Match are a performing arts center, the country’s very first hybrid infrared movement studio and bone broth bar, a medical office and a wide range of cafes and restaurants.
In addition to the $1.1 million in grants to help the 19 new brick-and-mortar businesses open, 14 existing small businesses were awarded a total of $303,000 to make physical improvements to their existing space, bringing the total investment into small businesses in this round to $1.4 million.
“When we started Motor City Match in 2015, people told me we wouldn’t get enough people interested in opening new businesses in Detroit to justify even one round of the program,” said Mayor Duggan. “Today, demand is only growing and 24 rounds later, more than 160 new small businesses have opened and nearly 20 more will open soon in 18 different neighborhoods through this round alone.”
Small business growth fueled by influx of ARPA funds
A significant portion of the funding for the grants is coming from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA funding has helped Motor City Match to double the number of grants it awards each quarter to $1 million per round, helping the program to help more entrepreneurs renovate and revitalize their spaces. Since Round 20, over $6.5 million has gone towards helping local business owners pursue their dreams and uplift the community.
“This influx of support demonstrates the transformative impact strategic investments can have in energizing a city's entrepreneurial spirit,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “With the continuity of programs like Motor City Match, Detroit's resilient business community has a bright future ahead." The program also offered awards to 53 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, design and architectural support, training and one-on-one advising.
In total, 86 Detroit businesses representing all seven council districts received support from Motor City Match’s 24th round. Since 2015, Motor City Match has awarded more than 1,936 businesses, resulting in 162 new brick & mortar businesses 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 24 rounds of the program:
Total business open: 162
Total businesses under construction: 106
Total cash grants: $15.7 million
Total leveraged investment: $87.4 million
81 percent are minority-owned businesses
71 percent are women-owned businesses
68 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
1,936 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 24 Cash awardees:
Abode – $70,000
A casual neighborhood café serving espresso and thoughtful, nourishing, fare including bakes and crispy chicken bowls
3620 Porter
Mexicantown, District 6
Agape Love Child Care Center, LLC – $80,000
A home-based childcare center transitioning into its first brick-and-mortar operation
16225 E Warren
Morningside, District 4
AJOM L.L.C. (McCloud's Performing Arts Center) – $65,000
McCloud’s Performing Arts Center provides space of the highest quality to its community for music, theater, dance, comedy and experimental performing arts
6702 W. Warren Ave
Midwest, District 6 Avenue Arts Building LLC – $45,000
Avenue Arts Building is a multipurpose building with services that include an art gallery, small event space, coworking spaces and suite/office rentals for professionals in Detroit
17320 Livernois
University District, District 2 Creative Outlook, LLC – $100,000
Creative Outlook will be operating the historic Lithuanian Hall that offers rental packages for weddings, quinceañeras, graduations and other private events
3564 W. Vernor Hwy
Central Southwest, District 6 Cutz C.A.F.E LLC – $60,000
Cutz Cafe is a new café in the Grandmont Rosedale area serving breakfast and lunch, and operating as a pop-up restaurant for local food vendors
19655 Grandriver Ave Suite 2
Minock Park, District 1 Dusk 'Til Daun LLC – $30,000
Dusk 'Til Daun is a wardrobe leasing company that focuses on showcasing couture designers from Detroit
7430 2nd Ave
New Center Commons, District 5 Eastside Roasterz LLC – $30,000
A coffee roaster and coffee shop offering freshly roasted specialty coffees and Detroit-inspired clothing
5001 Kensington Ave
East English Village, District 4 Encarnacion Inc – $65,000
Encarnacion's vision is to spread their Latin American culture to Detroit through coffee and food
8016 Kercheval Ave
West Village, District 5 Hot Bones Detroit LLC – $30,000
An infrared movement studio and a bone broth bar — a hybrid concept that does not yet exist in the country
2895 E Grand Blvd
Milwaukee Junction, District 5 Jamaican Mi Hungry LLC – $75,000
Jamaican Mi Hungry has operated as food truck providing authentic Jamaican cuisine for several years
8910 Wyoming Ave
Barton McFarland, District 7 Jill's Creative Learning, LLC – $80,000
Jill's Creative Learning Center is a childcare service for children age 6 weeks to 12 years of age
24270 West 7 Mile Road
Five Points, District 1 Medicina Scarlett, LLC – $50,000
A full-service primary care medical office
8631 W Vernor Highway
Springwells, District 6 MIXD Rolled Ice Cream – $65,000
MIXD is a small business in Detroit that will serve the community with handcrafted rolled ice cream
7446 Woodward Ave. Ste E-112
North End, District 5 Moondog Café – $25,000
Moondog Café aims to foster community and creative exchange, offering a space where music, art and culture converge alongside a specialty bar serving coffee, tea, beer and wine
8045 Linwood Street
Wildemere Park, District 5 RUNdetroit LLC – $65,000
RUNdetroit is the first and only running and walking specialty store in Detroit
3573 2nd Ave
Midtown, District 6 Shell Shock’d Tacos LLC – $45,000
Shell Shock'd Tacos combines the unique flavors of Detroit-style Latin-inspired street food to create an extraordinary dining experience
418 W Willis
Midtown, District 6 The Glass Factory LLC – $65,000
The Glass Factory is dedicated to providing exceptional service and reliable solutions for all auto glass needs
19224 W Warren Ave
The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology – $55,000
The Salon Professional School of Cosmetology is a cosmetology school for Detroiters that offers cosmetology training with tuition that will not exceed $6,000.
11019 Whittier
Outer-Hayes, District 4
Motor City Match Round 24 Restore awardees:
All About Technology Sales, Inc – $18,000
6450 Michigan Ave
Claytown, District 6 Basil Party Store, Inc. – $25,000
4515 Grand River
Woodbridge, District 6 Beautiful Bridal Properties, LLC – $17,000
2921 E Jefferson Ave
Elmwood Park, District 5 Crummy’s Cake Supply & Studio – $2,000
7114 W Seven Mile Rd
Bagley, District 2 Dexter Pediatrics, PLLC – $25,000
12632 Dexter Avenue
Dexter-Linwood, District 5 Happy to Be Nappy LLC – $25,000
18945 Livernois Avenue
Bagley, District 2 Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails – $25,000
9215 E. Jefferson Ave
East Village, District 5 Krush Event, LLC – $25,000
4535 Seven Mile E
Farwell, District 3 Milk & Froth – $20,000
1520 Adelaide St. Suite D
Eastern Market, District 5 Nemo’s Bar & Grille – $21,000
1436 Michigan Avenue
Corktown, District 6 Professionals Buildings LLC – $25,000
6845 Greenfield Rd
Warren Ave Community, District 7 Ree Land LLC – $25,000
3260 Junction Ave
Central Southwest, District 6 Soul 2 Go – $25,000
9900 Whittier St
Yorkshire Woods, District 4 Detroit Pizza Bar – $25,000
7316 West McNichols
Bagley, District 2
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