As Detroit continues to experience billions of dollars in development and revitalization, the persistent challenge of ensuring that Detroit-based contractors are positioned to fully participate in that growth is always present.
With a January 30 application deadline approaching, the Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF), along with its partners the Gilbert Family Foundation, Invest Detroit, and Barton Malow, is urging local contractors to apply for a program designed to help close long-standing gaps in access, capacity, and opportunity.
The Motor City Contractor Fund was created to address the barriers that often prevent small and mid-sized contractors from competing for large-scale development projects, even as those projects reshape the city’s neighborhoods.
Since its launch, MCCF has delivered more than $2 million in capital support, facilitated nearly $2.5 million in lending, and distributed approximately $365,000 in grants. Beyond the dollars, the program focuses on strengthening business operations and increasing readiness across Detroit’s contractor ecosystem so participants can compete for larger and more complex development opportunities tied to the city’s estimated $5 billion in revitalization investments.
As the program prepares to launch its fourth cohort, MCCF is using the holiday season to highlight the structural hurdles contractors face when trying to formalize financial systems, build sustainable capacity, and gain access to capital on reasonable terms. The organization describes this as an often-overlooked economic story in Detroit, and says these challenges can determine whether a contractor is able to grow, hire additional workers, purchase equipment, or bid on transformative projects happening in their own neighborhoods.
“This story matters because the success of Detroit contractors directly contributes to the strength and growth of Detroit’s neighborhoods. Capacity building and access to capital aren’t abstract ideas — they directly determine whether a small contractor can hire, acquire equipment, or take on their biggest project yet”, said Shenai Jackson, Program Manager, MCCF.
For many contractors, especially those who are Detroit-based and rooted in the city’s communities, the barriers are not a lack of skill or experience, but rather limited access to capital, bonding, and technical assistance that larger firms often take for granted.
MCCF aims to change that equation by combining financial resources with hands-on support and a powerful network of partners committed to inclusive economic growth.
Contractors accepted into the upcoming cohort will have the opportunity to access the same game-changing resources made available to previous participants, and more. The program is designed for Detroit contractors who are ready to strengthen compliance, financial systems, operational structure, and competitive positioning. Through tailored technical assistance, peer learning, and connections to lenders and developers, MCCF participants are better equipped to pursue and win contracts tied to Detroit’s ongoing development boom.
The fund’s partners bring complementary strengths to the effort. The Gilbert Family Foundation and Invest Detroit have long focused on equitable development and neighborhood stabilization, while Barton Malow contributes deep expertise from the construction and development industry.
Together, they are working to ensure that Detroit-based contractors are not sidelined as outside firms benefit from major projects and can be prepared to grow alongside the city.
The impact of that approach extends beyond individual businesses. When local contractors succeed, the benefits ripple outward by supporting job creation, retaining wealth within neighborhoods, and fostering long-term economic stability.
With the January 30 deadline fast approaching, MCCF is encouraging eligible contractors not to wait. The application process is aimed at identifying businesses that are ready to grow and willing to invest time and effort into strengthening their operations. For contractors who have struggled to break through to the next level, the fund offers a rare combination of capital, guidance, and access that can help turn opportunity into reality.
Detroit contractors interested in applying for the upcoming cohort can find more information and submit applications at www.motorcitycontractorfund.org.
