The City of Kalamazoo is excited to announce an opportunity for downtown small businesses to receive grant funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Match on Main program.
Donor Name: City of Kalamazoo
State: Michigan
City: Kalamazoo
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 03/28/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This program allows the City to apply for up to $25,000 in reimbursement grants to support new or expanding small businesses located in Downtown Kalamazoo. It supports place-based businesses that contribute to vibrant downtown districts. Applications are submitted and managed by local units of government or downtown development organizations on behalf of eligible businesses.
Program Goals
- Support the creation and growth of businesses in Select or Master Michigan Main Street districts or Essentials or Certified Redevelopment Ready Communities across the state
- Provide access to capital for place-based businesses, create and retain jobs, leverage private investment, and activate vacant or underutilized space
- Offer eligible communities a business recruitment and retention tool to grow and support their local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Uses of Fund
Funds awarded through the program can be used for:
- Technical assistance (such as design and layout consulting, construction plans, or specifications)
- Interior building renovations (including improvements to floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, and permanent kitchen equipment)
- Permanent or semi-permanent outdoor activations (such as dining areas or beer gardens)
- Marketing expenses, technology upgrades (including website or e-commerce improvements), operational changes (such as transitioning from dine-in to carryout service), point-of-sale system purchases, and retail inventory.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must certify the business included in the application meets all eligibility criteria:
- The business is located within the boundaries of the community the applicant serves
- The business is located within a traditional downtown, historic neighborhood commercial corridor, or area planned and zoned for concentrated commercial development that contributes to a dense mixed-use area with multi-story elements
- The business sells products and/or services face to face AND has a physical location within a traditional downtown, historic neighborhood commercial corridor, or area planned and zoned for concentrated commercial development (Ex. The business has a storefront location downtown)
- The business will have, or be in the process of obtaining, control over the site for which they are applying prior to Match on Main application. Changes in the proposed business location after grant selection may result in grant being forfeited
- The business may be operating as a for-profit or non-profit
- The business is headquartered in Michigan
- The business must be able to meet the ten percent (10%) cash match required as part of this program.
Ineligibility
Ineligible businesses include:
- Non-profits
- Franchises
- Businesses located in strip malls
- Big-box retailers
- Marijuana-related businesses
- Businesses that have already received funding from the MSF Small Business Relief Program or a Match on Main grant in the past 24 months.
For more information, visit City of Kalamazoo.
