06/26/2024 | Press release | Archived content
JUNE 26, 2024 (DETROIT) – Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) today awarded over $1 million in grants to 16 new local businesses in Motor City Match’s 27th round. This round introduces the groundbreaking Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track, awarding $75,000 in grants and assistance to four businesses led by individuals committed to positive change, marking a new collaboration with local CVI organizations.
The CVI track, a partnership between the City and six Shotstoppers CVI groups, supports entrepreneurs mentored by community violence intervention organizations. The track offers up to $150,000 in grants over two rounds to CVI-recommended businesses approved by Motor City Match.
Concluding with Round 28, the track aims to formalize and expand qualified businesses, aligning economic growth with community safety goals. It empowers participants, including returning citizens, to achieve sustainable business success while positively impacting their communities.
“At its heart, Motor City Match is about building stronger communities,” said Duggan. “I am so proud that the team at the DEGC has made it a priority to create this new CVI track for emerging small businesses that are recommended by our Community Violence Intervention partners. Round 27 represents our largest overall grant awards in the program’s history and as a result, 14 Detroit neighborhoods soon will be seeing new businesses open.”
The four businesses awarded through the CVI track include a digital photography studio, an apparel company and a pair of restaurants. Sixteen new brick-and-mortar businesses will be located across 14 Detroit neighborhoods, including Minock Park, Jefferson Chalmers, Pulaski, Barton-McFarland and Eastern Market (full list located at the end of release). The Round 27 cohort features diverse businesses launching new storefronts, ranging from a dental practice to luxury spas and several restaurants and cafés.
“With the CVI track, we’re breaking new ground in how we approach economic development,” said Kevin Johnson, President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. “We’re not just helping businesses grow – we’re partnering with folks working hard to make their neighborhoods safer. It’s about boosting entrepreneurs who’ve faced challenges and are now committed to positive change. We’re excited to see how these businesses will thrive and contribute to a stronger, safer Detroit.”
Program impact doubled through federal ARPA dollars
A total of $1,035,000 in grants to help the 16 new brick-and-mortar businesses open and $70,000 in grants for awardees within the program’s CVI track. A total of $261,000 was awarded to 11 existing small businesses to make physical improvements to their existing space, bringing the total investment into small businesses in this round to $1.1 million.
President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a major funding source for Motor City Match grants. The injection of ARPA dollars has enabled the program to double its quarterly grant awards to $1 million per round, assisting even more entrepreneurs in renovating and revitalizing their spaces. Since Round 20, this influx of $9.1 million has empowered local business owners to pursue their aspirations while uplifting the wider Detroit community. By leveraging federal funding, Motor City Match continues to open doors for small businesses across the city.
The program also offered awards to 46 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, training and one-on-one advising.
In total, 76 Detroit businesses representing all seven council districts received support from Motor City Match’s 27th round.
“Motor City Match continues to be an invaluable asset to Detroit, and its expansion to include a Community Violence Intervention track highlights our city’s dedication to resident safety,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “This funding empowers community organizations to implement effective strategies and programs that ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and vibrant. With over $1 million awarded, we are committed to uplifting and supporting our entrepreneurial community, fostering growth and stability throughout Detroit.”
Since 2015, Motor City Match has awarded more than 2,095 businesses, resulting in 168 new brick-and-mortar businesses operating throughout the city.
Motor City Match continues to grow Detroit’s small-business landscapeCombined 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 27 rounds of the program:
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 27 Community Violence Intervention awardees:
Motor City Match Round 27 Cash awardees:
Motor City Match Round 27 Restore awardees: