July 29, 2025
July 29, 2025
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer Announces Funding for 63 Main Street Small Businesses Across Michigan, Creating 444 New Jobs
Match on Main grants will create 166 new full-time and 278 part-time jobs, activating over 107,000 square feet of vacant and underutilized space
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) support for 63 small businesses across Michigan through the MEDC’s Match on Main program. The $1.49 million in grants awarded to small local businesses will create resiliency and strengthen downtowns in Main Street communities throughout the state.
The Match on Main program serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding for them to launch or grow in core downtown areas and commercial districts. The FY25 Match on Main application window yielded a total of 133 applicants from 59 organizations – the highest participation rate in the program’s five-year history.
“Michigan’s small businesses are the heart of our downtowns,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s Match on Main grants will provide 63 small businesses across the state with the support they need to grow, thrive, and create bustling, vibrant main streets. By investing in our communities and developing attractive places across the state, we will continue to make Michigan a place where businesses and families choose to locate, grow and succeed.”
Following the results of a five-year program impact study conducted by Guidehouse, the MEDC doubled its investment into Match on Main with the MSF board approving an allocation of $1.5 million to the program for FY25 in December 2024, ensuring Michigan’s small businesses continue to succeed in the state.
“Match on Main is a critical tool for supporting place-based small businesses and communities across Michigan, serving as a catalyst in driving small business investment and opportunities for growth,” said Amy Rencher, Senior Vice President of Small Business & Talent at MEDC. “Since 2019, we’ve made a significant impact on small businesses and our local communities through the Match on Main program, with $17 million in private investment leveraged from awarded businesses and hundreds of jobs created and retained. Through Match on Main, we’re continuing to foster economic growth throughout the state one entrepreneur at a time.”
FY25 Match on Main Recipients
Of the FY25 Match on Main grantees awarded, 17 are new businesses and 46 are existing businesses, including 20 restaurants, 22 retail establishments, four service businesses, and 17 other businesses that demonstrate a commitment to revitalizing community infrastructure and boosting local employment. Additionally, 50 businesses selected are located within Geographically Disadvantaged Areas.
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MATCH ON MAIN FY 25 - AWARDEES |
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Eligible Applicant (Awardee) |
Legal Name of the Business |
DBA, If Applicable |
Total Grant Award |
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Region 1 |
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City of Escanaba Downtown Development Authority |
Lake Effect Distillery LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Houghton |
Cork & Beans, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Ironwood |
Yoopers Uncorked LLC |
Superior Gales Wine & Spirits |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Munising Downtown Development Authority |
Upper Peninsula Inspired LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Negaunee |
Samara Floral Company |
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$25,000.00 |
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Marquette Downtown Development Authority |
Bluff Street Station, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Region 2 |
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Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority |
Penny Lodge, LLC |
Dockside Books |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Cadillac |
Renegade Cafe |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Petoskey Downtown Development Authority |
Loveland Development |
PEcado |
$25,000.00 |
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Village of Benzonia |
Hill Top Soda Shoppe, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Village of Benzonia |
Mills Community House Association |
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$14,722.15 |
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Village of Elk Rapids |
Le Bos LLC |
Bos Wine |
$25,000.00 |
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Region 3 |
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Cheboygan Downtown Development Authority |
Right Brain, LLC |
Creation Station |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority |
Clem's Property LLC |
Clem's Riverside Eatery |
$25,000.00 |
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City of East Tawas |
Total Human Resources |
Relax LLC |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Rogers City Downtown Development Authority |
International Sports Bar, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Tawas City |
Tawas Axe N Lanes, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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West Branch Township |
Klemmer's Processing LLC. |
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$25,000.00 |
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Region 4 |
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City of Allegan |
Lunabode, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of East Grand Rapids |
K5 Restaurants LLC |
Jose Babushka's |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Greenville |
Kristina Gould LLC |
Bound Beauty |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Hart |
S. Hegg Real Estate, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Muskegon Heights |
Urban Apparel LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Plainwell |
Happy Hang Cafe LLC |
MI Grounds |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Wayland Downtown Development Authority |
Acqua in Vino LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Ex |
OTONO, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Hudsonville Downtown Development Authority |
Leaping Panda Hobbies LLC |
Leaping Panda Hobbies |
$21,172.25 |
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Main Street Downtown Development Authority of the City of Grand Haven |
Fortino's Store, LLC or Fortino's Building, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Village of Baldwin |
Jones Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe |
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$25,000.00 |
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Village of Shelby |
Tienda La Palma LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Region 5 |
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Bay City |
BonejackedVintage |
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$13,070.75 |
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Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Clare |
Cardinal & Clover, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Mt Pleasant |
Mt Pleasant School of Dance |
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$22,756.91 |
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Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Harrison |
Residential and Commercial Marketing, LLC |
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$14,865.30 |
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Saginaw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
CWC Property Holdings LLC |
Savoy Bar & Grill |
$25,000.00 |
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Region 6 |
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City of Laingsburg Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
DG Hair Design |
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$25,000.00 |
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Lapeer Downtown Development Authority |
The Doghouse Coffee LLC |
The Doghouse Coffee |
$25,000.00 |
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Owosso Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
Amy's Place Limited Liability Company |
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$25,000.00 |
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Village of Cass City |
The Oak Room CC LLC |
The Oak Room |
$25,000.00 |
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Region 7 |
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Downtown Development Authority of the City of St. Johns |
The Minty Mitten |
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$16,172.01 |
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Old Town Commercial Association - Lansing |
Media Advantage, LLC |
Media Advantage |
$18,900.00 |
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Region 8 |
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City of Bronson |
Economy Garage, LLC |
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$24,552.25 |
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City of Coldwater Downtown Development Authority |
Children's Museum of Branch County, Inc. |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Kalamazoo |
MatchacitaLLC |
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$19,637.00 |
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City of Niles Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Program |
Locri, LLC. |
Front Street Pizza Pub |
$25,000.00 |
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Comstock Center Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
Jerome Hardin |
Rooney's Soul Food Wagon |
$25,000.00 |
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Downtown Development Authority of the City of South Haven |
Nature's Country Cupboard |
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$25,000.00 |
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Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance |
Bogar Theatre LLC |
Bogar Theatre |
$25,000.00 |
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Sturgis Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
Layered Clothing, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Village of Marcellus Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
Flyover Art |
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$8,500.00 |
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Village of Stevensville |
Applied Arts, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Region 9 |
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Downtown Development Authority of the City of Adrian |
Ghidrahs Mind Body Spirit |
Ghidrahs Mystic She Ways |
$25,000.00 |
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Downtown Development Authority of the City of Ypsilanti |
Catacombs at Bella Vita, Bella Vita Bistro |
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$25,000.00 |
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Jackson Downtown Development Authority |
Ogma Brewing Co. |
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$25,000.00 |
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Saline Main Street |
The State of Authenticity LLC |
TSOA |
$25,000.00 |
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Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority |
Harvest Chocolate, LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority |
Rosie's Tecumseh Cafe LLC |
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$25,000.00 |
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Region 10 |
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City of Farmington |
Ceramic Studio LLC |
Fired and Fused |
$25,000.00 |
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City of Ferndale |
Drifter Coffee |
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$25,000.00 |
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City of Romulus |
Deranged Haunt Attraction, LLC |
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$20,901.60 |
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Grosse Pointe Downtown Development Authority (DDA) |
Atelier, Inc. |
Chez Loulou Salon |
$22,636.70 |
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Oak Park Corridor Improvement Authority |
Rhythm Wellness Center LLC |
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$22,500.00 |
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West Downtown Dearborn Development Authority (WDDDA) |
The Great Commoner Dearborn, LLC |
The Great Commoner |
$25,000.00 |
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Recipients include:
“The Match on Main Grant plays a pivotal role in revitalizing downtown areas by providing the financial resources needed to spur economic development,” said Heather Hanover, executive director of St. Johns PSD/DDA. “The use of this grant program in Downtown St Johns has allowed for the retention and expansion of small businesses during these uncertain economic times. The Downtown Board is thankful that we have another tool to help our small businesses succeed.”
“The Match on Main program has been a powerful tool in our ongoing efforts to transform downtown Marquette,” said Tara Laase-McKinney, executive director of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority. “It not only helps us revitalize key areas that need renewed focus, but also supports established businesses looking to grow their presence and impact. A great example is Velodrome Coffee Co., which used Match on Main to relocate into a long-vacant building near NMU, tripling its seating and creating a welcoming community space for students and locals alike. This kind of momentum inspires additional investment and improvements, encouraging other business owners to take pride in their spaces and seek out opportunities through programs like our Downtown Facade Grant and the MEDC RAP Grant. With support from programs like Match on Main, we're not just imagining a stronger downtown, we're watching it take shape, one storefront at a time.”
Michigan’s small businesses are a vital part of the state’s economy, employing more than 1.8 million people. Helping businesses to open and grow is a key focus of the MEDC, and the Match on Main Street program provides opportunities for new and expanding businesses located in Main Street districts to ‘Make It in Michigan.’
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