The Hart Economic & Redevelopment Team (HEART) is thrilled to announce that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has posted the terms and timeline for the 2025 Match on Main Grant. HEART invites qualifying Hart businesses to submit a local application. A local review committee will choose the top-scoring business to apply to the MEDC on behalf of.
WHAT IS THE MATCH ON MAIN GRANT?
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program that serves to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to support eligible activities.
WHO CAN APPLY?
• Hart businesses with a brick-and-mortar location downtown that sell products and/or services face-to-face.
• Businesses that have, or are in the process of obtaining, control over the site for which they are applying.
• For-profit or non-profits.
• Those able to meet the ten percent (10%) cash match required as part of this program.
• Past Match on Main recipients are not eligible.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:
A business interested in working with HEART to apply for a Match on Main grant must have a project identified. Awardees will be granted up to $25,000 to reimburse project activities occurring in a permanent commercial space.
• 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.
• Expenses for working capital needs, such as inventory expenses.
Those interested in applying should not wait, as third-party cost estimates must be included with the application.
TIMELINE:
• Program announcement - December 17, 2024
• Local application window opens - January 6, 2025
• Local application window closes - February 7, 2025
• Local grant review committee meeting - February 12, 2025
• Local applicant awardee announced - February 13, 2025
• HEART’s MEDC application on behalf of the local awardee due - March 7, 2025
• MEDC awardees announced - June 28, 2025
Funding is provided as a reimbursement of eligible activities and must be disbursed within six months of grant agreement execution.
Applicant must provide a 10% match if awarded the grant.
Please contact Economic & Community Development Director Nichole Kleiner at (231) 923-0920 with any questions or to schedule an appointment to go over the application.
