Primary care clinics, legacy jewelry store and laundromat-café headline Motor City Match’s latest $370K in grants
- DEGC
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
$370,000 in grants awarded to 8 Detroit businesses through Round 31 of Motor City Match
Awardees include a third-generation jewelry store, a laundromat-café and two primary care clinics, among others
Mayor Sheffield’s approved budget includes $2.5 million to sustain Motor City Match and strengthen commercial corridors citywide
Motor City Match has supported more than 2,300 businesses across Detroit since 2015
In Round 31, 82 percent of awarded businesses are minority-owned, 80 percent are woman-owned and 70 percent are owned by Detroit residents.
May 6, 2026 (DETROIT) – Mayor Mary Sheffield and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) today awarded $370,000 in grants to eight Detroit small businesses through the 31st round of Motor City Match, with winner in each city council district.
Round 31 cash awardees will open or expand brick-and-mortar locations across Detroit neighborhoods, bringing new services, jobs and investment to commercial corridors citywide. The awardees, who represent businesses ranging from a luxury event venue and a creative arts studio to primary care clinics and a childcare center, demonstrate the program’s longstanding commitment to diverse entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization. A full list of recipients is available at the end of the release.
The round is indicative of Mayor Sheffield’s push to expand economic opportunity across all of Detroit. Her approved budget includes $2.5 million to sustain Motor City Match, a direct investment in strengthening commercial corridors and ensuring entrepreneurs in every neighborhood have access to capital and support.
“Detroit is rising higher, and it starts with people like these eight entrepreneurs,” Sheffield said. “When we invest in our residents, we give them a reason to stay, to come back and put down roots here. Motor City Match is how we make that happen, and I am proud our budget keeps it funded and moving forward.”
Motor City Match supports Detroit entrepreneurs beyond cash grants through its Plan, Develop and Design tracks, which provide business services, training and one-on-one advising to help Detroiters move from concept to launch. In total, 44 businesses across seven City Council districts received support through Round 31.
“These businesses are going to add value to their communities,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “A laundromat that’s also a café. A jewelry institution expanding downtown. Multiple primary care facilities offering essential medical services to residents. It’s this diversity of businesses that will help make our corridors stronger.”
Round 31 cash awardees at a glance
Round 31 cash awardees will bring a wide range of products and services to neighborhoods across Detroit. Chapman’s Jewelry, a third-generation, Black-owned jewelry store with roots on West 7 Mile, is expanding with a new bridal location in Downtown Detroit. The HUB Laundromat-Cafe will combine a state-of-the-art laundromat with a community café in the Denby neighborhood, creating a social and practical anchor for the area. Medicina Scarlett, a nurse practitioner-led family primary care clinic, will deliver preventive care, chronic disease management and diagnostics at 7000 Vernor Highway in Springwells, serving the Southwest Detroit community.
A decade of small business support
Since its launch in 2015, Motor City Match has supported more than 2,315 businesses, leading to more than 200 new brick-and-mortar openings throughout Detroit. The program has awarded more than $21 million in grants and helped leverage $116 million in additional investment.
Through 31 rounds of the program:
Total business open: 204
Total businesses under construction: 67
Total cash grants: $21 million
Total leveraged investment: $116 million
83.7 percent are minority-owned businesses
72 percent are women-owned businesses
70.2 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
2,315 total businesses served
Motor City Match Round 31 Cash awardees:
Chapman’s Jewelry (Chap Global LLC) – $25,000
Chapman’s Jewelry is a third-generation, family- and Black-owned jewelry store expanding with a new downtown bridal location specializing in engagement rings and custom designs.
1500 Washington Blvd.
Downtown, District 6
Childrenz R Us II LLC – $55,000
Childrenz R Us is a childcare center providing safe, high-quality care and early learning for children ages 0-12, with extended hours from 6:30 a.m. to midnight.
8251 W. 8 Mile
Garden Homes, District 2
East Detroit Primary Care, PLLC – $50,000
East Detroit Primary Care delivers personalized, evidence-based medical care in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
6455 Gratiot, Suite B
Gratiot Town/Kettering, District 3
IF Studios (Indie Fashion LLC) – $55,000
IF Studios Creative Community Center is a Detroit-based creative hub offering sewing classes, photography workshops, and fashion and arts programming for designers, artists and students.
14630 Schafer Hwy
Bethune Community, District 7
Medicina Scarlett, LLC – $50,000
Medicina Scarlett is a nurse practitioner-led family primary care clinic providing comprehensive medical services, preventive care and chronic disease management to children and adults in Southwest Detroit.
7000 Vernor Hwy.
Springwells, District 6
Tauntus Greek Store (Tauntus, Inc.) – $25,000
Tauntus is a retail store selling fraternity and sorority apparel, costume jewelry and boutique clothing.
3841 W. 8 Mile
Green Acres, District 2
The HUB Laundromat-Cafe, L3C – $55,000
The HUB will combine a state-of-the-art laundromat with a community café, creating a welcoming environment that meets both practical and social needs in the Denby neighborhood.
12400 Kelly Rd.
Denby, District 4
Three15 LUXE (Three15 LLC) – $55,000
Three15 LUXE is a luxury multi-use event and professional space offering venue services for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations, along with office suites for small business owners.
24514 W. McNichols Rd.
The Eye, District 1