This section of the application identifies the award track you are applying for and eligibility criteria. There are specific requirements to be considered for each award. If you are unable to meet these requirements you will not be considered for an award. The award track descriptions and requirements are as follows:
Plan Award Track - Motor City Match will provide one-on-one consulting, a business basics/planning class, subject-specific workshops, and access to technical assistance for up to 15 entrepreneurs seeking to refine, formalize, and launch a business idea.
- Detroit residents and non-residents that regularly operate their business in the city of Detroit are eligible to apply.
- Building owners that own a vacant commercial space in the city of Detroit and need help activating their space may apply. Building owners should answer application questions by thinking of their building development project as their business.
- Applicants must have a business idea and meet all eligibility requirements.
- Awarded submissions will qualify as either a Micro-enterprise (business with 5 or less employees) or small business (more than 5 employees) in compliance with the appropriate regulations for the use of federal funding sources.
If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.
Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:
(1) elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);
(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);
(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;
The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.
(1) employees of the City of Detroit government;
(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;
(3) spouses and dependents of
(a) employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
(b) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
(c) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors
(d) elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government
If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT
This application is for the Develop Award Track - Awardees receive one-on-one consulting, classes and workshops, access to technical assistance and professional services for up to 25 businesses seeking to develop their idea, create a plan for growth, and choose an appropriate location for their next phase of development
Awarded submissions will qualify as either a Micro-enterprise (business with 5 or less employees) or small business (more than 5 employees) in compliance with the appropriate regulations for the use of designated City of Detroit and Federal Funding sources.
If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.
Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:
(1) elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);
(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);
(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;
The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.
(1) employees of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;
(3) spouses and dependents of
a. employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
b. elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City)
c. contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
d. Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT
This application is for the Design Award Track - Awardees receive one-on-one consulting, classes and workshops, access to technical assistance and professional services for up to 10 businesses that have secured a commercial location, settled on an appropriate growth plan, and need to create a design and program specific to that location.
Design Award Track Requirements:
(1) The business must have "made a match" with a commercial building/space proven by a signed and dated lease, letter of intent or property purchase
(2) The lease, letter of intent or deed must be submitted with this application.
(3) The space requires a substantial renovation project prior to opening
(4) A a well-developed, written business plan or growth plan must be submitted with this application.
(5) If the business is new, financial projections must be included in the business plan. Financial projections should illustrate income and expenses, including rent and maintenance of the new location.
(6) If the business has been operating in another location, in co-working space, as a pop-up or home based business, financial statements should be submitted with this application.
Awarded submissions will qualify as either a Micro-enterprise (business with 5 or less employees) or small business (more than 5 employees) in compliance compliance with the appropriate regulations for the use of designated City of Detroit and Federal Funding sources.
Building owners that own a vacant commercial space in the city of Detroit and need help activating their space may apply. Building owners should answer application questions by thinking of their building development project as their business.
If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.
Eligibility Criteria: The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:
(1) elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);
(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);
(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;
The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.
(1) employees of the City of Detroit government;
(2) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;
(3) spouses and dependents of
a. employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
b. elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City)
c. contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
d. Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT
This application is for the Cash Award Track - Awardees can receive up to $1,000,000 in grants and loans for up to 25 projects that have secured a location, settled on an appropriate growth plan, and created a design and program specific to that location. The maximum grant award is the lesser of $100,000 or 50% of the total project cost. Businesses must have money ready to invest, whether it’s their own equity, financing, or both. Loans are facilitated through Motor City Match lending partners.
Cash Award track requirements:
1) Project plan or growth plan with sales projections and a realistic revenue model
2) Commercial location secured with a signed lease, letter of intent, deed, or land contract
3) A sound understanding of the financial resources necessary to complete the project including the total cost of the project and funding need
4) Design specific to location and bids or other documentation that shows the costs for renovation, equipment and other necessary
5) Minimum 10% equity invested or ready to invest in the project.
Awarded submissions will qualify as either a Micro-enterprise (business with 5 or less employees) or small business (more than 5 employees) in compliance compliance with the appropriate regulations for the use of designated City of Detroit and Federal Funding sources.
Federal guidelines require businesses to qualify as a beneficiary under the terms of 31 CFR Part 35, ARPA SLFRF Final Rule published January 27, 2022.
Building owners that own a vacant commercial space in the city of Detroit and need help activating their space may apply. Building owners should answer application questions by thinking of their building development project as their business.
If you are not interested in receiving the services described above as an award, you SHOULD NOT complete this application.
Eligibility Criteria:
The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:
(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);
(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);
(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;
The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.
(1) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;
(2) spouses and dependents of
a. employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
b. elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City)
c. contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
d. Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: IMPORTANT
This application is for the Restore Award Track - Awardees can receive up to $1,000,000 in grants and loans for up to 15 projects that have secured a location, settled on an appropriate growth plan, and created a design and program specific to that location. The maximum grant award is the lesser of $100,000 or 50% of the total project cost. Businesses must have money ready to invest, whether it’s their own equity, financing, or both. Loans are facilitated through Motor City Match lending partners.
Restore Award track requirements:
Applicants must be an existing businesses proposing a renovations or improvements to a commercial space they have been open and operating in for at least one-year. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and the ability to complete the proposed project with one year of the first grant disbursement including a plan to complete necessary architectural and design drawings, and have a comprehensive project plan with an itemized budget specific to the proposed project location.
Applicants must submit:
- Written project plan
- Detailed itemized budget
- Lease or letter of intent
- Cost estimates received from trade contractors
- Personal and business financial information; and
- Loan application and/or proof of funding.
Awardees will be selected based on business application scores and supplemental information received.
- Applicants must demonstrate a financial need and lack of access to capital
- A minimum of 10% project equity is mandatory for consideration.
- Award selection is subject to approval by the EDC Board of Directors
- Financial Assistance associated with this award must be accessed through an initial grant disbursement within 1 year of the date of approval by the EDC Board of Directors
Awarded submissions will qualify as either a Micro-enterprise (business with 5 or less employees) or small business (more than 5 employees) in compliance compliance with the appropriate regulations for the use of designated City of Detroit and Federal Funding sources.
Federal guidelines require businesses to qualify as a beneficiary under the terms of 31 CFR Part 35, ARPA SLFRF Final Rule published January 27, 2022.
Eligibility Criteria:
The following individuals are not eligible to apply: Business owners who are:
(1) employees, elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City);
(2) employees or board members of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC);
(3) employees or board members of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC);
(4) Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors;
The following individuals must disclose their status. Upon receipt of an applicant’s disclosure, the EDC will determine whether a conflict of interest exists and if the conflict can be mitigated and/or granted an exemption in accordance with EDC policies and federal regulations.
(1) contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program;
(2) spouses and dependents of
a. employees and board members of the City, DEGC, and EDC;
b. elected officials or appointed officials or officers of the City of Detroit government (the City)
c. contractors affiliated with the Motor City Match program; and
d. Motor City Match Lending Partners or Jurors
Note: All correspondence regarding your application will be sent to the email address you use to log into the application system, Submittable. If you do not actively use that email address, we encourage you to contact Submittable technical support, support@submittable.com, to change your email address. Please add Submittable to your address book or contacts in order to ensure that you receive Submittable notifications.
Welcome to the Motor City Match Building Owner application.
Directions: Building owners may submit multiple applications - one for each vacant property they own. Submit one application per available property. If you own a multi-tenant building with one or more vacant spaces, submit one application for that property and indicate the number of available spaces.
When submitting multiple applications, make sure you hit the "submit" button at the end of each application, before submitting another application. If your previous application appears when you try to submit a new application, you have not submitted your prior application or your prior application is incomplete.