Governor Whitmer Header

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

July 29, 2025

Contact: [email protected]

 

*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 [ [link removed] ]. 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.   

 

*MATCH ON MAIN FY 25 - AWARDEES* 



*Eligible Applicant (Awardee)* 



*Legal Name of the Business* 



*DBA, If Applicable* 



*Total Grant Award* 



Region 1 



City of Escanaba Downtown Development Authority 



Lake Effect Distillery LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



City of Houghton 



Cork & Beans, LLC 



Beviamo Vino 



 



 



$25,000.00 



City of Ironwood 



Yoopers Uncorked LLC 



Superior Gales Wine & Spirits  



$25,000.00 



City of Munising Downtown Development Authority 



Upper Peninsula Inspired LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



City of Negaunee 



Samara Floral Company 



  



$25,000.00 



Marquette Downtown Development Authority 



Bluff Street Station, LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Region 2 



Charlevoix Downtown Development Authority 



Penny Lodge, LLC 



Dockside Books 



 $25,000.00  



City of Cadillac 



Renegade Cafe 



  



 $25,000.00  



City of Petoskey Downtown Development Authority 



Loveland Development 



PEcado 



 $25,000.00  



Village of Benzonia 



Hill Top Soda Shoppe, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



Village of Benzonia 



Mills Community House Association 



  



 $14,722.15  



Village of Elk Rapids 



Le Bos LLC 



Bos Wine 



 $25,000.00  



Region 3 



Cheboygan Downtown Development Authority 



Right Brain, LLC 



Creation Station 



 $25,000.00  



City of Alpena Downtown Development Authority 



Clem's Property LLC 



Clem's Riverside Eatery 



 $25,000.00  



City of East Tawas 



Total Human Resources 



Relax LLC 



 $25,000.00  



City of Rogers City Downtown Development Authority 



International Sports Bar, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



City of Tawas City 



Tawas Axe N Lanes, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



West Branch Township 



Klemmer's Processing LLC. 



  



 $25,000.00  



Region 4 



City of Allegan 



Lunabode, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



City of East Grand Rapids 



K5 Restaurants LLC 



Jose Babushka's 



 $25,000.00  



City of Greenville 



Kristina Gould LLC 



Bound Beauty 



 $25,000.00  



City of Hart 



S. Hegg Real Estate, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



City of Muskegon Heights 



Urban Apparel LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



City of Plainwell 



Happy Hang Cafe LLC 



MI Grounds 



 $25,000.00  



City of Wayland Downtown Development Authority 



Acqua in Vino LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



Ex 



OTONO, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



Hudsonville Downtown Development Authority 



Leaping Panda Hobbies LLC 



Leaping Panda Hobbies 



 $21,172.25  



Main Street Downtown Development Authority of the City of Grand Haven 



Fortino's Store, LLC or Fortino's Building, LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



Village of Baldwin 



Jones Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe 



  



 $25,000.00  



Village of Shelby 



Tienda La Palma LLC 



  



 $25,000.00  



Region 5 



Bay City 



Bonejacked Vintage 



  



$13,070.75 



Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Clare 



Cardinal & Clover, LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Mt Pleasant 



Mt Pleasant School of Dance 



  



$22,756.91 



Middle Michigan Development Corporation - Harrison 



Residential and Commercial Marketing, LLC 



  



$14,865.30 



Saginaw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



CWC Property Holdings LLC 



Savoy Bar & Grill 



$25,000.00 



Region 6 



City of Laingsburg Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



DG Hair Design 



  



$25,000.00 



Lapeer Downtown Development Authority 



The Doghouse Coffee LLC 



The Doghouse Coffee 



$25,000.00 



Owosso Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



Amy's Place Limited Liability Company 



  



$25,000.00 



Village of Cass City 



The Oak Room CC LLC 



The Oak Room 



$25,000.00 



Region 7 



Downtown Development Authority of the City of St. Johns 



The Minty Mitten 



  



$16,172.01 



Old Town Commercial Association - Lansing 



Media Advantage, LLC 



 Media Advantage 



$18,900.00 



Region 8 



City of Bronson 



Economy Garage, LLC 



  



$24,552.25 



City of Coldwater Downtown Development Authority 



Children's Museum of Branch County, Inc. 



  



$25,000.00 



City of Kalamazoo 



Matchacita LLC 



  



$19,637.00 



City of Niles Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Program 



Locri, LLC. 



Front Street Pizza Pub 



$25,000.00 



Comstock Center Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



Jerome Hardin 



Rooney's Soul Food Wagon 



$25,000.00 



Downtown Development Authority of the City of South Haven 



Nature's Country Cupboard 



  



$25,000.00 



Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance 



Bogar Theatre LLC 



Bogar Theatre 



$25,000.00 



Sturgis Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



Layered Clothing, LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Village of Marcellus Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



Flyover Art 



  



$8,500.00 



Village of Stevensville 



Applied Arts, LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Region 9 



Downtown Development Authority of the City of Adrian 



Ghidrahs Mind Body Spirit 



Ghidrahs Mystic She Ways 



$25,000.00 



Downtown Development Authority of the City of Ypsilanti 



Catacombs at Bella Vita, Bella Vita Bistro 



  



$25,000.00 



Jackson Downtown Development Authority 



Ogma Brewing Co. 



  



$25,000.00 



Saline Main Street 



The State of Authenticity LLC 



TSOA 



$25,000.00 



Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority 



Harvest Chocolate, LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority 



Rosie's Tecumseh Cafe LLC 



  



$25,000.00 



Region 10 



City of Farmington 



Ceramic Studio LLC 



Fired and Fused 



$25,000.00 



City of Ferndale 



Drifter Coffee 



  



$25,000.00 



City of Romulus 



Deranged Haunt Attraction, LLC 



  



$20,901.60 



Grosse Pointe Downtown Development Authority (DDA) 



Atelier, Inc. 



Chez Loulou Salon 



$22,636.70 



Oak Park Corridor Improvement Authority 



Rhythm Wellness Center LLC 



  



$22,500.00 



West Downtown Dearborn Development Authority (WDDDA) 



The Great Commoner Dearborn, LLC 



The Great Commoner 



$25,000.00 



 

 Recipients include: 

 


* *Hudsonville*, where Leaping Panda Hobbies LLC [ [link removed] ] is planning to implement several strategic initiatives to enhance their store’s offerings and create a memorable experience for patrons, including expanding their product line, constructing a four-wheel drive course and renovating the store to accommodate increased display space, gaming tables and a more inviting environment for the community.  

* *St. Johns*, where The Minty Mitten [ [link removed] ] is planning to expand and enhance its established retail business that currently supports over 70 Michigan-based vendors through wholesale and consignment partnerships. The proposed project includes the creation of a licensed kitchen within the shop’s rear workspace, enabling the business to support local food producers limited by cottage law and expand its inventory of locally made goods.  

* *Marquette*, where Bluff St. Station, LLC, plans to use Match on Main funds to assist with the cost of the interior renovation of a historic building located in the heart of Marquette's downtown district. The renovation will include floor-to-ceiling surface renovations, installation of new bathroom units, light fixtures, installation of a garage door which will open to a patio facing the main street, and many other improvements. It will also include installation of technology and equipment to host weddings and social gatherings as well as businesses’ events, becoming a community asset. 

 

“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.’  

 

Get more information on the Match on Main program [ [link removed] ]. 

 

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