Skip to main content
20 Dreams – 20 Future New Small Business Openings

From Dexter-Linwood to the Bethune Community, Detroiters and metro-area residents can look forward to 20 future new small business openings and to additional funding for brick-and-mortar projects through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. During the Round 20 Motor City Match press conference with the City of Detroit on Tuesday, August 30, 20 new cash grant recipients were announced, as well as an increase in funds for technical assistance support and grant awards in subsequent rounds of the program.

Many of the projects that were awarded a grant have already begun construction, including Chris Camper, the owner of Vital Virtual Offices and a Cooley High School graduate, who tore his West McNichols property “down to the studs, rebuilt and modernized.” Each grant will help to close the existing financing gap for each awardee and help to open their doors to customers and the general public.

“Truly this has been a dream year to us. My husband and I, after leasing in the City of Detroit for five years, were able to purchase our home out of foreclosure” exclaimed Katrina Anderson, the owner of Commoditeas Tea Company, before receiving a plaque in honor of her business grant. “And now I have the honor because of this program, of creating programs and events, and welcoming the families and communities as well as creating jobs for my neighbors…We solve problems for Tea drinkers. And Motor City Match solved problems for Commoditeas.”   

“Detroit is home for me and I am thrilled to provide a safe and clean space for laundry services” stated La Cesha Brintley, the owner of Our Community Laundromat, as she accepted her grant award. “We are offering a literacy program for children – they read and wash so they can earn quarters to help with the drying services for their family [we will also] showcase small businesses that want to do pop-ups to give an opportunity [to bring about their success].” 

Open Round 21 Applications – Information Sessions available to applicants

Applications for Round 21 are open until October 2. Applicants will be able to learn more about the program and its processes through upcoming virtual information sessions scheduled at the following times: 

  • Thursday, September 22, 6:30 – 7:30 pm 
  • Friday, September 23, 10:00 – 11:00 am 
  • Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 5:00  – 7:00 PM 
  • Thursday, September 29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm 

Round 21 applications for the Plan, Develop, and Design tracks will make entrepreneur development coursework and consultant services accessible to awardees, helping these business owners to plan their company’s growth, prepare important documentation and paperwork, and identify sources of financing for their project. The amount of grant funding has increased from $500,000 every quarter to $1 million dollars for new and existing businesses through the Cash and Restore program tracks. 

Any Detroit-based businesses that can demonstrate they experienced a negative economic impact as a result of the pandemic under one or more of the following categorizations will be eligible to apply for a technical assistance or grant award: 

  • A business that experienced a negative economic impact 
  • A member of a group or class of business that is presumed to have experienced a negative economic impact as an individual or a business 
  • A business in an industry severely impacted by the pandemic 

Businesses only need to fit one of the above criteria to qualify. Apply today at apply.motorcitymatch.com 

Round 20 Cash Awardees include the following companies:

  • The Goddess Metaphysical Store LLC – a holistic-based retail & community space – 9701 Harper Ave.
  • Craig’s Coffee – a commercial kitchen and coffee roastery available for rent – 412 Peterboro St.
  • Ice Cream Detroit – an Ice cream shop offering innovative frozen treats – 3762 2nd Ave.
  • Bouncing Around the Motor City – a Party decorations and bounce houses for rent -13238 Fenkell St.
  • Pink Diamond Beauty Mall – Health & beauty salon/spa in the University District – 17350 Livernois Ave.
  • Thumbprint Artifacts – Warehouse and distribution center – 2100 20th St.
  • Juicing with Jai d/b/a Pressed Juice Bar – Neighborhood juice bar and café – 19550 Grand River Ave.
  • Our Community Laundromat LLC – Full-service laundromat – 15429 Schaefer Hwy.
  • K. Walker Collective LLC – High-street apparel for audacious, urban professionals – 4161 Cass Ave.
  • Vecino Detroit – Modern Mexican restaurant – 4100 Third St.
  • CommodiTeas Tea, LLC – Tea café and B2B retail shop – 8035 & 8045 Linwood St.
  • Taste of Love LLC – Restaurant providing carryout and catering – 21559 Grand River Ave.
  • Virtual Virtual Offices – Shared office space – 14029 W. McNichols St.
  • Someday – Community art gallery and tea shop offering decadent pastries and award-winning art – 2857 E Grand Blvd.
  • Detroit Farm and Cider Mill – 1600 Lawrence St.
  • The Rectory – Restaurant and residential units – 1920 Atkinson St.
  • Detroit Denim LLC – Cstom jeans shop – 651 W. Alexandrine St.
  • Le Souk – Pop-up space and podcast studio – 8632 W McNichols St.
  • Complete Image Manufacturing – Full-service apparel manufacturing company – 3187 Franklin St.
  • DPI Plumbing Heating & Cooling, LLC – Plumbing sales and installation – 10330 Dexter Ave.
Watch Full Livestream of Round 20 Press Conference