Motor City Match expands with new Community Violence Intervention track, awards over $1 million to Detroit entrepreneurs

• Over $1 million in grants awarded to 16 new businesses at the Round 27 awards ceremony.
• New Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track introduced, awarding $70,000 to four businesses led by individuals committed to positive community change.
• CVI track, developed with local violence intervention groups, offers up to $150,000 in grants and assistance over two rounds.
• New Detroit ventures include a dental care office, luxury spas and multiple restaurants and cafes.
• In Round 27, 95 percent are minority-owned businesses; 41% are women-owned businesses; and                  84 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents

Mayor Mike Duggan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) 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 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 27 rounds of the program:

• Total business open: 168
• Total businesses under construction: 104
• Total cash grants: $19.1 million
• Total leveraged investment: $102.7 million
• 85 percent are minority-owned businesses
• 70 percent are women-owned businesses
• 67 percent are businesses owned by Detroit residents
• 2,095 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.

Motor City Match Round 27 Community Violence Intervention awardees:  

• Moma G’s LLC – $25,000
  • Moma G’s provides carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery services, aiming to bring Detroit’s signature foods, like the chili dog, to locals
  • 10801 W Chicago
  • Barton-McFarland, District 7

• The Green Mile Grille – $20,000
  • The Green Mile Grille is a Detroit-based pop-up food truck

• Exclusive Visions Productions LLC – $15,000
  • Exclusive Visions Productions provides high-quality photography and videography services for personal and business brands, offering a creative space with props, decor and co-working options

• Heavy Motion Apparel – $10,000
  • Heavy Motion Apparel offers custom apparel design and printing while serving as an entrepreneurial training center

Motor City Match Round 27 Cash awardees:  

• A&A Group Venture LLC dba Dose Cafe Detroit – $70,000
  • A cozy plant-filled cafe offering quality coffee, smoothies, and light meals in a peaceful atmosphere
  • 3706 4th St
  • Midtown, District 6

• Amarra Products LLC dba G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs – $75,000
  • Natural skin care products, supporting and employing women survivors
  • 19627 Grand River
  • Minock Park, District 1
• Diamond Smiles Dentistry, P.C.– $100,000
  • Local general and specialized dental care by Dr. Aisha Akpabio, serving Detroit residents
  • 6455 Gratiot
  • Jefferson Chalmers, District 4
• Grandeur Cru, LLC. dba Grandeur Cru Wine Shop – $75,000
  • Boutique winery offering artisanal wines and wood-fired pizza in an intimate setting
  • 9916 Kercheval
  • East Village, District 5
• Lil Love Bugs Daycare Center, LLC – $50,000
  • Lil Love Bugs Daycare Center in Detroit offers childcare for children aged 6 weeks to 13 years old, with plans to introduce a latch-key service
  • 13513 E 7 Mile
  • Pulaski, District 3
• Leesa’s Fresh LLC dba Leesa’s – $70,000
  • A fast, casual carry-out restaurant serving burgers, wings, fries, drinks and fresh ice cream
  • 2626 S Schaefer Hwy
  • Boynton, District 6

• Maximum Food Services dba Papa Max’s Food Pantry – $50,000
  • Papa Max’s Food Pantry, specializing in southern-style cuisine, will offer healthy, high-quality food through its casual dine-in restaurant and catering services
  • 15439 Mack
  • Morningside, District 4

• Moma G’s LLC – $75,000
  • Moma G’s provides carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery services, aiming to bring Detroit’s signature foods, like the chili dog, to locals
  • 10801 W Chicago
  • Barton-McFarland, District 7

• Miss Eva’s Detroit, LLC – $55,000
  • A Harlem Renaissance-inspired speakeasy featuring quality live music experiences and craft cocktails inspired by adventures from the African and Black diaspora
  • 19566 Grand River
  • North Rosedale Park, District 1
• MotorCity Mimosa LLC – $40,000
  • Lively brunch spot featuring bottomless mimosas, karaoke and live music
  • 2055 Gratiot
  • Eastern Market, District 5
• Shop Coup, Inc. dba Coup D’état – $50,000
  • Award-winning women’s boutique featuring global and local fashion, accessories and styling services
  • 9301 Kercheval
  • East Village, District 5
• Smokey G’s BBQ Smokehouse LLC dba Smokey G’s Smokehouse – $75,000
  • Smokey G’s is a Detroit-based restaurant, specializing in authentic barbecue using natural wood fire
  • 1105 E Seven Mile
  • Nolan, District 3
• Tabor Way, LLC dba Terri’s Cakes Detroit – $25,000
  • Terri’s Cakes Detroit, a preferred vendor for weddings and corporate events, is a cake shop specializing in floral cakes and individually packaged cupcakes
  • 16311 E Warren
  • Morningside, District 4
• The Boba Shop LLC C – $80,000
  • The Boba Shop will serve boba tea, Vietnamese coffee and banh mi sandwiches with a vision is to foster community and nurture connection in the southwest neighborhood of Detroit
  • 1626 Lansing
  • Central Southwest, District 6
• Vibe Spa LLC – $75,000
  • Vibe Spa is a one-stop shop for self-therapy essentials including facials, beauty, hydrotherapy, sauna and massage
  • 5700 Woodward Cultural Center, District 5
• Vivacious Lady, LLC dba Vivacious Lady Luxury Spa – $70,000
  • Vivacious Lady Luxury Spa is a premier destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. Services offered include hair, nails, skin care, makeup, massage, teeth whitening, IV hydration, and more
  • 18718 Grand River
  • Grand River-St Marys, District 1

Motor City Match Round 27 Restore awardees:  

• Artistic Diseños, Inc. – $25,000
  • 6789 Goldsmith St.
  • Central Southwest, District 6
• Dawns Dollar Place II Inc. dba D’s Dollar Place Too – $21,000
  • 11831 Livernois
  • Oakman Blvd Community, District 7
• Family Drugs, Inc. – $22,000
  • 18611 W Warren Ave.
  • Warrendale, District 7
• Foundation First Child Care Services LLC – $25,000
  • 18310 Livernois
  • University District, District 2
• Golden Pointe, LLC – $25,000
  • 16050 W Warren Ave
  • Warren Ave Community, District 7
• Howrani Studios, LLC – $25,000
  • 2820 E Grand Blvd
  • North End, District 5
• Linwood Fresh Market, LLC – $19,000
  • 12737 Linwood St.
  • Dexter Linwood, District 5
• Livernois Dental Care PLLC – $25,000
  • 17170 Livernois
  • University District, District 2
• McCoyz Enterprise L.L.C. dba Glass Block Express – $25,000
  • 13106 Linwood St.
  • Dexter Linwood, District 5
• Plush Production LLC – $23,000
  • 17651 E Warren Ave
  • Cornerstone Village, District 4
• The Raw Space L.L.C. – $25,000
  • 8420 W. McNichols Rd
  • Bagley, District 2