The third round of Motor City Match has ended, with a combined $500,000 in grant funding given to a variety of Detroit businesses. Funding for the nine small business projects in Detroit neighborhoods ranged from $18,000 to $100,000.
Motor City Match was launched last year by Mayor Mike Duggan in partnership with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. The goal of Motor City Match is to connect new and expanding businesses with Detroit real estate opportunities and provide them with the funding and technical support needed to help them succeed.
Since its launch, Motor City Match has received over 2,000 applications from business and building owners, and it’s served almost 300 business overs and over 180 commercial properties across the city.
The program has awarded a total of $1.5 million in grants during the first three rounds. Business owners have leveraged that into $10.5 million in investments in neighborhood businesses. Of the businesses that have won, 70 percent are minority-owned.
“It’s been amazing to watch this program grow and see the creativity and hustle that Detroiters are putting into their business ideas,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said. “We have everything from a 96 year old Detroit plumbing businesses opening a showroom in Midtown to a new wine and charcuterie shop in West Village to an African-American hair care company that has patented their own Comb-N-Weave hair extensions. Businesses like these are the fiber of our neighborhood corridors and Motor City Match is making them happen.”
Bamboo Detroit was awarded $30,000 in funding during this round and is planning on expanding to a new location.
“Our new space at 1420 Washington Boulevard will house several hundred business, opening later this year. It will offer small private office options, dedicated spaces, and more conference rooms for the growing business community,” said Bamboo Detroit’s Amanda Lewan. “As a co-working space we provide affordable, flexible options so more people can participate in Downtown Detroit’s revitalization. Motor City Match is pivotal to helping us expand and better serve the Detroit community.”
The fact that the program focuses on pairing businesses with real estate opportunities is what helps set it apart, and it’s what gives local businesses the help they need.
“As a real estate startup, we’ve know first hand that the market can be very difficult to break in to. With so many buildings needing improvements in Detroit, the Motor City Match program has been key to helping both businesses owners and buildings get ready to open for business,” said Lewan.
The winners for the third round of Motor City Match are:
- Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply Co. – $100,000
- Assemble Sound, LLC. – $100,000
- Mack Avenue Community Church and The Commons – $80,000
- Black Pride Beauty LLC. – $60,000
- Always Brewing Detroit $45,000
- DMEX Printing – $35,000
- Brix Wine and Charcuterie LLC. – $32,000
- Bamboo Detroit – $30,000
- Mama Coo’s Boutique – $18,000
“There are so many Detroiters out there who have dreamed of starting their own business, and Motor City Match is giving them that extra nudge they need to take the next step,” said Detroit Economic Growth Corporation CEO Rodrick Miller. “Whether someone needs help creating a business plan, needs support planning their building renovations or is in need of some extra financing, Motor City Match is going to help get that dream from idea to open.”
Motor City Match will open for applications again from June 1 to July 1, 2016. Applications are available at www.MotorCityMatch.com.
