11/15/2024
Applications are anticipated to be available in January 2025!
A new round of Match on Main grant funding has been announced with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and is anticipated to open in January 2025. This provides the Marquette DDA the opportunity to apply for grant funds to assist a small business looking to launch or grow in Downtown Marquette!
*Please read carefully through the related Match on Main guidelines, including the Local Business Worksheet specific to the Marquette DDA, as some requirements may have changed. All guidelines can be found at the Match on Main website, and an updated Local Business Worksheet can be found below.
Match on Main Grant Program:
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the DDA. A minimum 10% match is required by the applying business. As the applicant, the DDA may submit up to two separate applications on behalf of two eligible businesses, with the possibility of one grant being awarded. Several Downtown Marquette businesses have recently completed their Match on Main grant projects, including Superior Culture, Ore Dock Brewing Co., Velodrome Coffee Co., and Great Northern Title.
Eligible Businesses:
The business is located within the downtown district
The business is a for-profit or non-profit headquartered in Michigan
The business sells products or services face to face within a traditional downtown, neighborhood or commercial district, or area planned and zoned for concentrated development
The business will have, or intends to have, control over the site for which they are applying prior to Match on Main application
The business has not received or been approved for a MEDC Match on Main grant within the last 24 months
The business must be able to meet at least a ten percent (10%) cash match required as part of this program. a greater cash match is a plus!
Ineligible Businesses:
Franchises (including independent contractor agreements)
Businesses located in strip malls
"Big Box" retailers
Retailers whose primary sales come from marijuana, CBD, or tobacco products
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds:
Expenses for technical assistance items for design and layout of interior or exterior space, such as conceptual renderings of the interior or exterior floor plan, merchandise layout, other interior or exterior design concepts, and construction drawings, plans or specifications for interior or exterior space activation.
Expenses for interior building renovation items, including rehabilitation of floors, walls, ceiling, rooms, electrical improvements, lighting and lighting fixtures, furniture and display renovations, installation of permanent kitchen or other equipment, and/or fire suppression or other code compliance items.
Expenses for permanent or semi-permanent activation of an outdoor space, including a dining area, beer garden, or other place-based outdoor activation. Exterior signage, doors and windows may be permitted as an eligible expense if part of a larger outdoor space activation project.
Expenses for general marketing, technology to assist in connecting with customers (example: website upgrades or e-Commerce integration), operational changes (example: shifting from dine in to carry out), the purchase of a point-of-sale system, or inventory expenses for retail goods.
Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds:
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.
Grant Submission:
In order to be considered for this grant when it is released in January 2025, a fully completed application must be submitted via email to tara@downtownmarquette.org or a printed version delivered to the DDA office at 337 W. Washington St., Marquette, MI 49855. Incomplete grants will not be considered.
Spring 2025 Grant Application and Information
Timeline TBD- Last year’s schedule:
Friday, March 1, 2024: Application open to eligible DDA businesses
Monday, April 1 at 12 p.m.: Submission of application to Marquette DDA due
Summer 2024: Applicants will be notified of the status of their grant applications; grant agreements will be processed and sent to grantees following a successful background review
Learn more about the Match on Main program and the MEDC here
Questions? Call Tara Laase-McKinney, DDA Executive Director at
(906)228-9475, ext 103, or by email at tara@downtownmarquette.org