Destination Business Grant Program

Two women and a man standing in front of a sign reading MDA Michigan Downtown Association smiling.

GDP + MDA

When longtime relationships turn into partnerships, exciting things happen! GD Placemaking has teamed up with the Michigan Downtown Association to create the Destination Business Grant Program, a new opportunity for small businesses in MDA member communities.

Program Overview

Program Info:

Who Can Apply?

Downtown Organizations on behalf of Small Businesses located within a traditional downtown district in an MDA membership community.

What Will The Business Get?

Jon Schallert’s 8-Week Destination Creation Course facilitated by Lindsey Dotson
10 Months of Direct Technical Assistance
Accountability Support
Access to Experts and Resources to Assist in Areas of Most Need

Where will the services take place?

The course will be offered virtually but live as a group with all selected winners as a cohort. Follow-up services will also be offered remotely with site visits as needed.

Timeline:

Announce Program during Spring Workshop, March 5, 2025
Applications available by Summer Workshop, June 5, 2025
Applications due to MDA by September 9, 2025
Recipients announced during Annual Award Ceremony, November 6, 2025
Course begins in January 2026.

Application Process:

Starting now, Member Communities can announce the opportunity to their business district and promote it directly to businesses that would benefit most.
Solicit interest form submissions and review them locally using the scoring matrix provided.
Select the top scoring business to complete the application and submit to MDA by September 9th.
The top three scoring applications will be awarded the service.

What is a Destination Business?

A destination business is a business that’s so compellingly unique that customers say: “That’s the only place I’m going!”

More Info about the Destination Creation Course

Coming soon!