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Match on Main
Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). It supports new or expanding place-based businesses by offering up to $25,000 in funding through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.
The MEDC values supporting place-based businesses in Redevelopment Ready Communities® and Michigan Main Street districts, recognizing the local capacity built to support small businesses through technical assistance, training, and education. The grant applicant—representing a community that is an Essentials or Certified Redevelopment Ready Community® or a Select or Master Level Michigan Main Street Community—focuses on supporting place-based businesses as they launch and grow on main street. This program aligns with the MEDC’s strategic focus areas, including developing attractive places.
Match on Main Impact
The Match on Main has worked to help current and future place-based small businesses thrive. Here's how the program stands out above others.
$4.5M of funding
have been contributed since 2019.
91% of Small Businesses
are still in business after the program.
$17M in private investment
have been leveraged from awarded businesses.
$58,200 average annual revenue
increases per awarded business.
Voices
Staying Grounded
Aaron Fekete opened Owl Eye Coffee Roasters as a wholesale roasting business in 2019 and made plans to convert some of the space into a café – an expansion that was made possible in part through support from the Match on Main program.
Read His Story HereMatch on Main strives to:
The Match on Main program provides grant funding to support an eligible small business desiring to launch or grow on main street. It provides up to $25,000 in funding, reimbursed for eligible activities. The program is administered and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization who serves as the “eligible applicant”. Each eligible applicant can select one business per application, located in their traditional downtown or other eligible business district for support, with a maximum of two applications submitted per funding round.
Learn about new features and how they can benefit serviced communities by watching the webinar below.
In 2025, the Match on Main program will offer only one funding round. Applications must be submitted through an eligible community point of contact (POC), applications submitted directly by businesses will not be considered. Eligible communities include those designated as Select and Master Level Michigan Main Street Communities, or those recognized as Essentials or Certified in the Redevelopment Ready Communities® program. For detailed information on specific deadlines and key dates for this round, please review Appendix F: Timeline.
Several forms and appendices have been modified to simplify the process and reduce redundancy. It is crucial that applicants read each appendix carefully as some processes have changed before submitting their application.
Maximize your success by leveraging these fully customizable resources to promote the Match on Main program in your community and empower applicants with the tools they need:
Take advantage of these resources to ensure your community thrives through Match on Main!
Click the button to the right to go to our online application.
We are currently addressing some technical issues with the Match on Main Application Submittal Portal. If you have encountered any difficulties, please contact Cathie Abad at [email protected] for assistance.
In light of these issues, we have extended the application deadline to April 14, 2025. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.
Apply now for Match on Main
Click hereIf you are looking for information regarding how to submit your application, application eligibility, uses of funds, etc., then please reference the program application process video below.
