Duggan Introduces “Motor City Restore”

A new program gives grants to existing small businesses.

Bre’Anna Tinsley/WDET

Detroit entrepreneurs can now apply for grants to upgrade their businesses.

Mayor Mike Duggan announced “Motor-City Re-Store” Wednesday, a program that will match funds with established small businesses to improve storefronts.

Duggan says the program is part of an effort to drive development in city neighborhoods.

“From the strategic neighborhood fund to the projects to renovate houses, and now we’re saying to the businesses in commercial districts, ‘If you want to put in a new awning, you want to put in benches, you want to improve your sidewalks… we’ll pay half,'” Duggan says. 

Duggan says the program is supported by a combination of Community Block Grant funds and other sources.

The application process opens Thursday and runs through August 1st

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