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Nine small Detroit businesses are splitting up $500,000 in grants provided by Motor City Match, a fund launched by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in partnership with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) last year. It marked the third round of such grants given so far.
The grants, announced Tuesday, ranged from $18,000 to $100,000 and included restaurants, retail and professional service businesses.
Advance Plumbing & Heating Supply Co. and Assemble Sound each were awarded $100,000. The remaining funds were split among seven other businesses.
"It’s been amazing to watch this program grow and see the creativity and hustle that Detroiters are putting into their business ideas,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a press release. “We have everything from a 96 year old Detroit plumbing businesses opening a showroom in Midtown to a new wine and charcuterie shop in West Village to an African-American hair care company that has patented their own Comb-N-Weave hair extensions. Businesses like these are the fiber of our neighborhood corridors and Motor City Match is making them happen.”
Advance Plumbing is a fourth-generation, family owned business located on 2984 Grand River Ave., the press release says. Their $1.7-million expansion to a decorative showroom in Midtown is expected to create 10 to 15 new jobs.
Assemble Sound at 2300 17th Street, near the train station, is described as a collaborative music studio created to close the gap between the commercial and creative production of music.
Here are other winners:
Mack Avenue Community Church (Developer) and The Commons (Tenant) ($80,000): Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC) Development will be leasing their property at 7900 Mack Avenue to a for-profit limited liability subsidiary of MACC called “The Commons,” a dynamic combination of café and coin laundry with free Wi-Fi and desktop computer use. The Commons aims to anchor the community by providing high quality products and services the neighborhood currently lacks. It will reinvest revenues in growing new businesses in the area.
Black Pride Beauty: ($60,000). Black Pride Beauty is an African-American hair care company that manufactures and wholesales a patented product called the Comb-N-Weave, a healthy and simple way for women to wear hair extensions without the damage caused from traditional methods. Black Pride Beauty plans to employ 10 to 30 veterans and community members at their new location at 1111 Bellevue St.
Always Brewing Detroit, 19180 Grand River ($45,000). Always Brewing Detroit is a café and community gathering space looking fill a much-needed gap in a commercial corridor lacking any sit-down restaurants by building a commercial kitchen serving a full menu of local foods.
DMEX Printing: ($35,000) DMEX is a Motor City Match Round 1 “Design” Awardee that has been serving Detroit’s Spanish and bilingual print needs for over 13 years. A Round 3 cash award will help the business expand into a new space on 7226 W Vernor with increased parking and easier accessibility to accommodate their growing customer base.
Brix Wine and Charcuterie: ($32,000); 7960 Kercheval, Brix is a Wine and Charcuterie Boutique that will sell smoked meats, cheeses, chocolates, retail merchandise, and wines under $30. Brix aims to employ community members, source locally produced goods, and collaborate with a culinary school to establish an internship program for students.
Bamboo Detroit: ($30,000) Bamboo Detroit is a co-working space expanding to a new location on 1420 Washington Boulevard that will help them better serve their growing client list of local entrepreneurs. Bamboo Detroit’s goal is to build a diverse and collaborative community that empowers others to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.
Mama Coo’s Boutique: $(18,000) Mama Coo’s Boutique is an upscale resale and vintage boutique planning to cosign pieces from local artists. It supports the community through clothing drives, donations, and silent auctions for various organizations. The business will open at 1707 Trumbull in the Corktown neighborhood.
