Detroit continues to grow its base of entrepreneurs through its
Motor City Match program, awarding 11 more grants ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 to area businesses. The awards, announced July 20, complete the fourth round of Motor City Match, marking one full year for the quarterly program.
That pipeline of entrepreneurs, as Detroit Economic Growth Corporation CEO Rodrick Miller calls it, consists largely of Detroiters. According to figures released by Motor City Match, 64 percent of MCM winning businesses are owned by Detroiters, 72 percent are minority-owned, and 68 percent are woman-owned.
In the program's first year, Motor City Match has awarded $2 million in grants to 40 small businesses, leveraging over $13 million in total investment in the city.
This round of grant winners include:
- Twisted Roots, a beauty supply retailer in Eastern Market
- Block Party, a building on Livernois that will house two restaurants and the Live6 Alliance
- Detroit Vegan Soul, a West Village restaurant opening a second location on Grand River
- Norma G's, a Caribbean cuisine food truck opening a brick-and-mortar location on East Jefferson
- Live Cycle Delight, a cycling studio opening in West Village
- Amaze-Enjoyment, an early childhood center at 20067 John R Street
- Guadalajara #2, a butcher shop expanding into a full-service facility in Southwest
- Lil Brilliant Mindz, an east side daycare and Head Start facility
- Beau Bien Fine Foods, an artisanal jam, fruit preserve, chutney, and mustard maker expanding in Eastern Market
- Meta Physical Wellness Center, an affordable holistic spa opening in Corktown
- Third Wave Music, a music instrument retailer opening in the Forest Arms building in Midtown
"These are the kinds of businesses that help to create complete neighborhoods where people want to live," says Mayor Mike Duggan. "Motor City Match is helping dozens of Detroit entrepreneurs live their dream owning their own business while being a real part of our city’s neighborhood comeback."
In addition to the 11 businesses awarded grants, seven others will receive free design and architectural services, 26 have been connected with landlords, and 50 more will receive free business planning support.
The next round of the Motor City Match application process
begins Sep. 1 and closes Oct. 1.
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