Grant Money Available For Downtown Dearborn Businesses

DEARBORN, MI — New grant money is available to businesses in Downtown Dearborn, the latest efforts to strengthen the city's vibrant business community. The West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (WDDDA) and the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (EDDDA) have launched the Open Door Dearborn Business Grants program, focused on fostering existing and supporting new business in Downtown Dearborn.

It's a competitive grant program that provides funding to property owners and new businesses moving to the Dearborn DDA districts or existing businesses within the districts, organizers explained.

“We continue to identify and implement new ways to support our Downtown Dearborn businesses and enhance the commercial core of the community,” said Cristina Sheppard-Decius, Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities’ Executive Director. “The Open Door Dearborn Business Grant initiative provides tangible assistance to prospective and current business owners who want to improve their enterprise and continue to thrive in Downtown Dearborn.”

The details

There are three levels of grants available:

• Level 1 – Design incentives (up to $2,500) to be used for exterior design assistance and signage improvement
• Level 2 – Business start-up incentives (up to $5,000) for retail start-ups, arts, culture and creative businesses, incubators and pop-up shops
• Level 3 – Design incentives (available up to 20% of costs, not exceeding $10,000) for façade improvement and expansion/development

To be eligible, applicants must be owners or new tenants that are currently located or moving into either of the DDA districts. Applicants will need to follow the new Design Guidelines recently adopted by the Dearborn DDA Boards to meet the standards expected of properties in Downtown Dearborn.

Organizers say that priority will be given to projects with a high ratio of public and private investment. Grants will be awarded to recipients as reimbursements, according to organizers.

Open Door Dearborn has an open application process, so applications may be submitted at any time of the year. Applications will be reviewed within 30 days.

Applicants will be required to attend a Downtown Dearborn Design/Economic Vitality committee meeting to have their applications reviewed and processed and if approved, the grant application will be sent to the EDDDA/WDDDA board meeting for final approval.

For a complete list of Open Door Dearborn Business Grant eligibility requirements or to complete an application, visit DowntownDearborn.org.