The City of Detroit and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) awarded over $450,000 in grants to 13 new local businesses in Motor City Match’s 28th round. This round included the final phase of the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track, which awarded $55,000 in grants to three businesses led by individuals committed to positive change.
In total, Round 28 is supporting 13 new brick-and-mortar businesses that will be located across 13 Detroit neighborhoods, including Aviation Sub, Evergreen-Outer Drive, Martin Park and Cornerstone Village, among others (full list at the end of the release). This round features a dynamic mix of new businesses, from restaurants and cafes to a childcare center, fitness facility and a global empowerment brand, continuing Motor City Match’s commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurs and neighborhood growth.
“Round 28 showcases the incredible diversity and entrepreneurial energy in the city of Detroit,” said DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson, prior to the event. “From restaurants to childcare centers, these businesses are providing important services and bringing new energy to commercial corridors throughout our neighborhoods.”
The CVI track is a partnership between the City of Detroit and six community violence intervention (CVI) groups that uplift entrepreneurs mentored by these organizations. The track specifically empowers returning citizens and other justice-impacted individuals to build sustainable businesses and create lasting change in their neighborhoods.
Through this track, CVI-recommended businesses approved by Motor City Match can receive up to $150,000 in grant funding across two rounds. The three businesses awarded grants through the CVI track include a restaurant, creative hub and fashion retailer. A fourth CVI-supported business was awarded technical assistance.
“These grants represent more than just financial support. They’re about creating opportunities in neighborhoods that need them most,” said Deputy Mayor Melia Howard, prior to the event. “The CVI track empowers justice-impacted entrepreneurs to transform their lives while strengthening their communities. We’re proud to see these business owners creating positive change across Detroit.”
Beyond the grants, Motor City Match also awarded 37 entrepreneurs through its Business Plan, Develop and Design tracks. These resources offer critical support, including business services, training and one-on-one advising, to Detroiters still working toward their dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar store in the city.
In total, 51 Detroit businesses representing all six City Council districts received support through Round 28.
“Motor City Match continues to be a driving force in revitalizing Detroit’s neighborhoods by equipping small business owners with the resources they need to thrive,” said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. “With each round of funding, more Detroiters are launching businesses, creating jobs, and breathing new life into our commercial corridors. This program’s success is a testament to our commitment to inclusive economic growth and to the entrepreneurs who keep our city moving forward.”
Since 2015, Motor City Match has awarded more than 2,146 businesses, resulting in 181 new brick-and-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 28 rounds of the program:
- Total business open: 181
- Total businesses under construction: 61
- Total cash grants: $19.5 million
- Total leveraged investment: $104.5 million
- 85 percent are minority-owned businesses
- 70 percent are women-owned businesses
- 68 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
- 2,146 total businesses 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 MotorCityMatch.com