Two Traverse City food trucks get grants to expand

Two Traverse City food trucks are among just eight in the state that recently won grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to start or expand their businesses.

Sixty-five food trucks applied for funding, and a total of $77,775 in grants were given out to support Michigan food industry start-ups. They were one-time grants of up to $10,000 and required at least 25 percent of that in matching funds from the businesses. Emphasis was placed on those food trucks that contribute to local economies by partnering with other businesses or farms.

MI Fresh Start in Traverse City received $10,000 and put up $59,300 in matching funds to create a new food truck business--an enterprise partnering with Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan.

Roaming Harvest, an existing food truck focusing on local foods in Traverse City and Interlochen, received $10,000 and put up $6,564 to expand its business.

"The food truck business is booming and on the road to becoming a $2.7 billion dollar industry (nationally) by 2017. Mobile food trucks attract foot traffic to downtown areas and create a unique and flavorful dining experience," says MEDC president and CEO Michael Finney.

The other trucks awarded grants were in East Lansing, Kalamazoo, Flint, Pontiac, Southfield and Marquette.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation