- $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