10 Small Businesses Share $500,000 In Grant Funding Thanks To Motor City Match

On Monday, Mayor Mike Duggan announced the second round of projects that will receive a combined $500,000 in grant funding through Motor City Match to help them start or expand in Detroit.

Motor City Match connects new and expanding businesses with Detroit’s quality real estate opportunities and provides them with the funding and technical assistance to help them get from idea to open. Although Detroit has a lot of open real estate, much of it is not in usable condition.

Funding for 10 neighborhood small business projects ranged from $10,000 to $100,000 to help fill gaps in capital needed for the build out or equipment purchase at their locations.

For the first time, Motor City Match issued two grant awards to building owners leading catalytic real estate development projects in neighborhood business districts.

Here’s a quick rundown of the winners, per Motor City Match:

I’m Here LLC is redeveloping the historic Hunter’s Supper Club located on the Livernois Avenue of Fashion. The property and business development company was recognized as a “top property” in the first round of Motor City Match. It won top honors in round two with a $100,000 grant to help support a mixed-use development at 19344-19350 Livernois, which will house several exciting new businesses.

One of those businesses is Motor City Match awardee Slyde restaurant, which found its new home thanks to Motor City Match.

I’m Here will use the funds to help complete a full façade for the three parcel property, and white box improvements for two tenant spaces, while Slyde will also receive a $45,000 grant to help with equipment purchases.

Resurget Cineribus LLC is leading a mixed-use redevelopment at 8044 Kercheval Avenue in the West Village business district. The property as a “Top Property” for new business in Round 1 and found new tenants to help make the project a reality. The project at 8044 Kercheval Avenue will clear, reimagine and repurpose two burned and blighted buildings, reactivate a long-vacant, century old commercial building, and play a catalytic role in the burgeoning retail corridor along Kercheval in West Village. Funding will be used to help close the project’s financial gap and be used for building renovations.

Beautiful Bridal LLC, a bridal gown boutique co-owned by Vallery Hyduk and reality TV star Keasha Rigsby of “Say Yes to the Dress” opening on E. Jefferson;

Astute Artistry, a licensed trade school for fashion, film and makeup opening in southwest Detroit;

Pharmacy 4 Less, an independent retail pharmacy that is expanding to offer patient consultation, prescription and non-prescription products on Gratiot Avenue;

Ali-Wali Child Care Center, a one of a kind Islamic childcare center that models Montessori education opening in the Banglatown neighborhood.

Woodbridge Bikes and Coffee, a lifestyle retail boutique that will specialize in the commuting cyclist.

R&L Color Graphics, a graphics, printing and publishing company that documents family legacies in the form of obituaries and photo biographies.

Detroit Sip, A community gathering space selling Detroit-produced coffee, tea, doughnuts, pastries and other hometown products.

In addition to grants, Motor City Match also provides business planning assistance, match-making with Detroit’s top available properties, and architectural assistance to plan for renovations, and helps building owners market their space and find tenants.

50 entrepreneurs received Get Ready awards, which provide free business planning courses. 32 businesses received Make a Match awards. These businesses have a strong business plan or an existing track record of success, but are looking for a location in Detroit.

The initiative was launched by Mayor Duggan in partnership with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) last year.