Motor City Match (MCM) continues to help bring new small businesses to neighborhoods across the city by awarding $500,000 to 11 businesses and one building owner in its 11th round of grant awards.
Launched nearly three years ago with the goal of creating Detroit’s next generation of entrepreneurs, Round 11 awardees have taken full advantage of the program’s assets. Half of today’s cash winners started their journey with business plan, space and/or design assistance awarded by MCM.
“I couldn’t be opening my business without the assistance of Motor City Match,” said Marlene Brooks, owner of Dymond Designs Beauty School. “I received both a space and design award in earlier rounds. As a result, I now have a prime location for the business, and an inviting design for customers. Moving through the MCM pipeline teaches business owners how to create a foundation for a successful and sustainable business.”
Since it launched in 2015, MCM has assisted more than 1,000 entrepreneurs with a variety of resources to help them along their path toward opening a business in Detroit. Of the 125 grant winners thus far, 36 businesses have opened, and another 37 are under construction and expected to open this year. New tools are constantly being offered through the program, including an upcoming financial seminar.
“Motor City Match has created a pipeline of support for businesses in all stages of growth,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Whether you are just developing a business plan, need to secure a space, or just signed your lease, MCM has an award track to help you grow and thrive in the city.”
Round 11 award recipients represent 10 unique Detroit neighborhoods, including the program’s first winner in Osborn. The award ceremony was held at Michigan Farm to Freezer in Eastern Market, a Round 7 MCM cash awardee. Michigan Farm to Freezer flash-freezes Michigan-grown produce at the season’s peak, allowing farmers to extend their sales throughout the year.
Owner Brandon Seng ships everything from Traverse City tart cherries to organic carrots from Mio to over 200 grocery stores across the state, as well as to schools and healthcare institutions.
“Motor City Match helped make my business a reality,” said Seng. “In doing so it has changed the lives of so many people – our employees, our farmers and our customers. Throughout Michigan people are now eating healthy and delicious Michigan Farm to Freezer produce — prepared and packaged in Detroit.”
Next month, MCM program managers will host a Lending Summit to help educate business owners about the variety of funding options available. There, they can connect with both traditional and non-traditional lenders, and fill out loan applications onsite.
“Motor City Match is committed to creating an ecosystem in Detroit that engenders small business success,” said Michael S. R. Rafferty, vice president of small business services, DEGC. “The program is evolving to fill in the gaps, wherever they exist, especially in education. The Lending Summit will demonstrate how to navigate the complex world of finance. Business owners will leave with real tools to help them on their journey.”
The Motor City Match program provides assistance to businesses through the city:
- 80% are located in neighborhoods outside of Downtown and Midtown
- 62% are owned by Detroit residents
- 80% are minority-owned
- 69 % are women-owned
Motor City Match Awards are presented four times a year in four categories: a matching cash grant, or assistance with business planning, design or location selection. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. The next window for building and business owners to apply will be June 1 to July 1, 2018.
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, foundations and corporations. For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit www.MotorCityMatch.com.
The Economic Development Corporation for the City of Detroit approves the awards, and the Small Business team at DEGC manages the Motor City Match Program. It is funded with federal community block grant funds distributed to Detroit, as well as with city funds approved by Detroit City Council and support from local foundations. The program has helped to create a strong pipeline of businesses in the city.
Motor City Match Round 11 Cash Awardees
- Dymond Design Beauty School – $65,000
- 3300 E. Jefferson Ave., Ste. 400
- Past Space and Design Award winner
- Elite Detroit Leadership – $40,000
- 11840 E McNichols Rd.
- Ochre Bakery – $30,000
- 4884 Grand River Ave., Unit 1A
- Paramita Sound – $15,000
- 1515 Broadway St.
- The Upperow – $40,000
- 5734 Woodward Ave.
- Past Space Award winner
- The Millionairess LLC – $30,000
- 19434 Livernois Ave.
- Past Design Winner
- Hustlers Wife – $30,000
- 15715 Warren Ave.
- Past Plan and Design awardee winner
- Spot Lite – $40,000
- 2905 Beaufait St.
- Petty Cash Kitchen + Cocktail Bar – $50,000
- 20050 Livernois Ave.
- Brewery Faisan – $60,000
- 1087 Beaufait St.
- Past Space and Design Award winner
- Chene Street Grocers – $50,000
- 5200 Chene St.
- Past Design Award winner
- Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation – $50,000
- 19566, Grand River Ave.
Motor City Match Round 11 Business Plan Awardees
- #Brag on GOD
- Alexandrea’s Social Cafe
- Amaysin Fitness
- At Your Service Enterprise
- Better Bad Decisions
- Black Kloth Klothing
- Blue Orchid Alternative Wellness
- Burbank Community Daycare
- C. Turner Properties LLC
- Carson’s Comedy Clubhouse
- Cedrics Auto Repair, Inc.
- City Juice
- Class in Session
- Crowd Freak LLC
- Deno’s Italian Beefs
- Detroit Tough Landscapes
- Detroit Voltage LLC
- Detroit’s Royal House of Design
- Diamonds & Pearls Special Events LLC
- Dominican Restaurant
- Elevate Infinite Library Café
- First Class Mobile Phlebotomy
- Fruit of the Spirit, LLC
- God Speed Transportation
- Just 4 Kids II Childcare & Learning Center
- Kinks & Curls Beauty Bar
- Land Trust Renewal Corporation
- Lina’s Learning Center
- Lovin’ Touch Learning Center LLC
- Motor City Sea Farm, LLC
- No Shame Fitness
- Olempians
- On The Go Ribs N Soul Bistro Lounge
- Orion shredding Inc.
- Peachy Keen
- Pink Elephant Products and Events L3C
- Rare Breed Apparel LLC
- Reggie the Computer Tech
- S W E A T by LMT LLC
- Savored Goods
- Sweet Thoughts LLC
- Teaching from the Heart
- The Corban Collection
- Turning Headz Beauty Bar
- TwISsTed Vegan
- VanderWhite Catering
- Visionary Learners Academy
- Williams Healthcare Training
- Yom Dream LLC
Motor City Match Round 11 Space Awardees
- The Theater Place
- Urban Salon Suites, Inc
- Artoms Autobody & Collision
- Social Tykes
- Colman and Pope Bakery
- The Collection Detroit, LLC
- Bobs Classic Kicks
- Lynn Hathorn Agency, LLC
- Ms. E-Vee’s LLC
- JD Madison Investments Inc
- A Natural Twist
- The Honey House
- The Beam Creativity Lounge (Formerly Books and Spice)
- Zarkpa’s LLC
- University Pharmacy
- 44 Burrito, LLC
- PLUS Skateboarding
- MWW1, LLC
- L A Carter Investments D.B.A Carris Home Care
- Nail-Rite Construction
- MyAaliyah LLC
- Motor City S.T.E.A.M
- Tech-On Detroit, LLC Career Management and Training Agency
- TJ’s Sweet Repeat
Motor City Match Round 11 Design Awardees
- 3D Sports Academy
- Brut Detroit
- Cutters Bar and Grill
- SA’JA Entertainment Musician Institute
- NOIS (Neighborhood Office and Incubator Space)
- Uptown Hospitality Group LLC/DBA Uptown Toast Wine Bar and Detroit House of Comedy
- Us Food Market
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