What’s happening: It was just this past December when Downtown Coldwater presented a $20,278 Match on Main grant to
Hope Café, reimbursing the business for several improvements and upgrades made to its downtown storefront. Now city officials are hoping to get more downtown businesses in on the program, announcing that the application window has opened for the latest round of business improvement grants.
What it is: The Match on Main program provides businesses and nonprofits with reimbursement grants for improvements and upgrades, including but not limited to building renovations, outdoor space activations, marketing and technical assistance, and more.
How it works: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation
administers the program, which provides up to $25,000 in reimbursement grants following the completion of accepted projects. Applicants must meet a 10 percent match requirement and operate a physical location within the downtown footprint of their community.
How to apply: Communities administer their own application processes for the program before selecting a maximum of two projects to submit to the MEDC for final consideration and approval. In Coldwater, businesses have through Monday, Feb. 17, to apply to Downtown Coldwater, more information of which is available
via their website.
Proof is in the pudding: “The Match on Main program was truly a blessing for the café,” Kim Hemker, executive director of the Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
said in December when receiving a Match on Main grant for Hope Café. The BCCADV manages the café, providing jobs for victims of domestic or sexual violence.
“We have loved being a part of the downtown and we are so grateful to be a small part of the overall concept that is being developed in our community. This has allowed us to be a business but also show the heart of our mission as we not only give people what they need but also the feeling of belonging as they come through our doors.”
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