Match on Main 2025
Program Description
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program, provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.
The MEDC finds value in supporting place-based businesses located in Redevelopment Ready Communities® and Michigan Main Street districts, given the local capacity that has been built to support new and existing small businesses through the technical assistance, training, and education communities gain by participating in these programs. The grant applicant –which is the local entity applying on behalf of the small business seeking grant support – must represent a community that is a essentials or certified Redevelopment Ready Community® or is a select or master level Michigan Main Street Community.
The focus of Match on Main is to support place-based businesses as they seek to launch and grow on main street. Small businesses are the cornerstone of what makes Michigan’s downtowns unique and authentic. This program aligns with the MEDC’s strategic focus areas, including the continued effort toward developing attractive places.
How the Match on Main Program Works
The Match on Main program provides grant funding to support an eligible small business desiring to launch or grow on main street by providing up to $25,000 in funding, reimbursed for eligible activities. The program is administered and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization who serves as the “eligible applicant”. The eligible applicant will select one eligible business, per application, located in their traditional downtown or other eligible business district to include for support – with a maximum of two applications submitted per funding round.
Deadline and Qualifications
Applications must be submitted to the Main Street Executive Director by 5 pm on Friday March 21, 2025. Please email the completed application to jmarks@adrianmi.gov.
Eligible Business
-
The business must be located within the boundaries of the community served by the applicant.
-
It should be situated in a traditional downtown, a historic neighborhood commercial corridor, or an area planned and zoned for concentrated commercial development. This location should contribute to a dense, mixed-use area featuring multi-story buildings
-
The business engages in face-to-face sales of products and/or services and maintains a physical presence in one of the specified areas, such as a storefront in a downtown location.
-
Prior to submitting a Match on Main application, the business must either own or have secured control over the site for which it is applying. Note: Changes to proposed business location after grant selection may result in forfeiture of the grant.
-
Eligible entities include both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
-
The business must be headquartered in Michigan.
-
The business should not have previously received or been approved for an MEDC Match on Main grant.
-
Be able to meet the ten percent (10%) cash match required as part of this program.
Eligible Uses
Grants may be utilized for the following eligible expenses:
-
Technical Assistance: This can include services such as marketing, SEO optimization, training, and other professional development activities.
- Interior Building Renovations: Modifications or upgrades to the interior of the business premises.
- Activation of Outdoor Spaces: This can be permanent or semi-permanent projects to enhance or utilize outdoor areas associated with the business.
-
Working Capital Needs: Expenses related to marketing, inventory, and other operational needs
Ineligible Expenses are exterior improvements that could be considered as general maintenance, repairs, landscaping; or other non-place-based outdoor activation; employee wages, salaries or benefits; rent, mortgage, land contract or building or land lease payments, utilities; leases for equipment, vehicle leases, vehicle payments; taxes, interest or insurance; professional fees; federal, state, or local application, licensing, permit or similar fees; bank or other lender financing, interest; inspection fees or costs; credit card processing fees; property acquisition; projects on residential property.