Special Board Meeting
Detroit Economic Development Corporation
Development
Thursday, May 2, 2024
9:00 a.m. — 10:00 a.m. EDT
Remote
Join Zoom meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82121652947?pwd=J3wXXABab9pHtb44UKGUPqbwXUhEjw.1
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Craig Notte
Commissioners approved 29 business grants totaling $1.1 million in Round 26 of Motor City Match
Live reporting by
Amy Senese
Commissioners approved 29 business grants totaling $1.1 million in Round 26 of the city’s Motor City Match program.
amy k senese 🍉
@amysenese
👋Detroit! At 9am, I'll be live-tweeting the Special Board Meeting of the Detroit Economic Development Corporation for #DetDocumenters @DetDocumenters Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep
@media_outlier @metrotimes @michigan_public @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
@media_outlier @metrotimes @michigan_public @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
07:19 AM May 2, 2024 CDT
This meeting is held virtually and in person at the Guardian Building.
The meeting notice (with virtual meeting link) and agenda for today can be found here:
degc.org/event/edc-spec…
The meeting notice (with virtual meeting link) and agenda for today can be found here:
More info on the Detroit Economic Development Corporation can be found on the DEGC website:
degc.org/edc/
The Economic Development Corporation(EDC) is under the umbrella of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), which also includes the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and DBRA (Brownfield Development Authority), amongst others.
The Board is appointed by the Mayor and subject to the consent of the City Council.
Here's the current Board of Directors for the EDC:
Here's the current Board of Directors for the EDC:
Today's special board meeting will discuss Motor City Match recommendations for awards in Round 26. Applications just closed, and award selection will occur between May 1 and July 1, 2024.
From @wxyzdetroit, here are the 27 Detroit businesses awarded Motor City Match Grants last year:
wxyz.com/news/27-detroi…
Virtual meeting link is live, no sound currently while we wait for the meeting to begin
More people have arrived. The audio came on briefly, and I heard "we are waiting," and the audio cut out again. Members are sitting at a long conference table.
Meeting is called to order at 9:16 am.
They called the roll and have a quorum, it was hard to hear who was present.
They called the roll and have a quorum, it was hard to hear who was present.
Minutes approved for the March 26th meeting.
Treasurer's Report is received.
Treasurer's Report is received.
Now onto the Motor City Match Recommendation for Round 26 awards presented by Madison Schillig.
Schillig went through a fast slide show. A board member asked her to go through the different phases of Motor City Match that residents can apply for.
Round 26 Motor City Match Awardees:
29 Total Grants
18 New businesses, 11 existing
$1.1 Million in grants
8 design awardees, 15 develop awardees, 25 plan awardees
29 Total Grants
18 New businesses, 11 existing
$1.1 Million in grants
8 design awardees, 15 develop awardees, 25 plan awardees
Item 4: Motor City Match Recommendation to extend round 22 awardees who need more time to complete their project due to setbacks, financing, hiring, etc...
A resolution to approve these extensions is in their board packet. They are discussing.
One member mentioned one of the businesses up for an extension is either a property he owned or developed.
Extensions approved.
One member mentioned one of the businesses up for an extension is either a property he owned or developed.
Extensions approved.
They don't have enough members to discuss/move on the East Riverfront Parking Lot agreements.
Meeting is adjourned at 9:40am!
Meeting is adjourned at 9:40am!
That was pretty fast, so here's the rest of the slide show I was able to screenshot.
These are the round 26 Motor City Match "Plan" Awardees
These are the round 26 Motor City Match "Plan" Awardees
For Round 26, that's 18 cash grants, $890,000 awarded, $6.7 Million in additional investment, reaching 17 neighborhoods
They highlighted a few of the awardees. First up is Kimochi Detroit, owner Kim Yokely. Kimochi Detroit is a reflexology center set to open in Eastern Market, offering shiatsu, massage and sound therapy.
Another cash awardee is New Millenium Books, owned by Jerome McMillan. This will be a black-owned retail book store in the Bagley neighborhood.
RUNdetroit, a running and walking specialty store received $50,000 to move their location. Owners Justin Craig and Alia Polsgrove.
Technology Partners Group received $50,000. Tech Partners is a licensed electoral contractor specializing in medical equipment installation and is expanding to a dialysis training center, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility and support in Detroit. Owner Brandon Pinto.
The Damage Zone is a black woman-owned business that will serve as Detroit's first premier rage room. It will provide alternative therapy for emotionally reactive individuals and address crime, blight, and stress through destruction therapy. Owner Zienethe Adewole.
The Debt Survivor received $50,000 as a new business. This is a black woman-owned business that will provide small business training services in Detroit. It aims to empower entrepreneurs and support their growth journey. The Owner is Ebony Cochran.
There were 11 "Restore" grants:
$251,000 total in grant funding
$240,221 in additional investment
Businesses in 5 of 7 council districts and 10 neighborhoods
$251,000 total in grant funding
$240,221 in additional investment
Businesses in 5 of 7 council districts and 10 neighborhoods
The first highlighted restore awardee is Dexter Cash Wash and Vacuum, a black-owned business owned by John H. Scott, receiving $25,000. This project includes purchasing and installing new safety bollards, preparing and replacing damaged fencing and new landscaping.
Plymouth Cafe is a black women-owned restaurant serving American & Soul food, w/ the goal of employing Detroit residents. The project includes preparing and expanding the concrete next to the restaurant to add outdoor seating and more parking. Owned by Mashelle Sykes
Liquor Island is a minority-owned business owner in Mazin Najar. This project includes removal of original awnings, replacing the facade with stucco & new stone veneer along the bottom. It will include new lighting, new signage & a parking lot.
That's all for the slide presentation. There was no public comment. As the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 am, that concludes my coverage of the Detroit Economic Corporation Special Board meeting.
For more coverage, visit . If you believe anything is inaccurate, email documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
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Attachments
Agency Information
Detroit Economic Development Corporation
The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) was established pursuant to Michigan Public Act 338 of 1974, as amended, and assists local industrial and commercial enterprises through programs such as loans and public infrastructure improvements. (Link to small biz for MDC and Motor City Restore) The EDC also manages a number of sites available for redevelopment. (Link to project plans) Funding for EDC programs comes from a number of sources such as grants, contracts and interest on loans.
Documents
5/2/2024
5/2/2024
5/2/2024