It's a New Era for 15 Local Downriver Businesses After Receiving Transformative Help

Downriver has become a small community of great impact. There is a level of community support that expands beyond just residents but even to commerce. A small area but, it's rich in resources and opportunities. Opportunities are what led to the Small Business Technical Assistance Matching Grant Program and its Luncheon.

Spearheaded by the Economic Growth Institute by the University of Michigan. This was a partnership with the Downriver Community Conference. Held at the Arnaldo's Banquet Center in Riverview, MI. Businesses and Business owners who were recipients of the grants were provided with a beautiful luncheon with plenty of options to decide. Some names you may be familiar with that were awarded this grant included 15 small businesses, 7 retails, 1 banquet center, 3 service providers, 1 barber shop, 1 non-profit healthcare clinic, 1 non-profit theatre, and 1 newspaper, your favorite local newspaper, the Telegram News.

Throughout the luncheon and while lunch was being served, there was a brief program with an overview of the winners and those businesses that took part in the grant matching program. According to the staff of the Downriver Community Conference, the Small Business Program impacted about 15 local businesses in the area. They each received a $10,000, grant that was the catalyst for their technical evolution. Darryl Folks II, staff of this conference, stated, "Each business was chosen meticulously from the vibrant tapestry of the five riverfront communities."

It was no easy task finding businesses to participate in this program. Darryl Folks II, said that it took canvassing each city on foot. It also took collaborating with partners and ensuring each chosen business met the criteria that was set by the University of Michigan Economic Growth Institute. "A transformative boost for these businesses, enhancing productions, increasing value and ushering in a new era of efficiency. It wasn't just a grant. It was an investment in progress.", he said. Darryl Folks II, is currently the Small Business Coordinator for Downriver Community Conference.

If you are unfamiliar with the Michigan Works office, they are an office that stands as a beacon of trust for the Downriver area. For businesses, their job is to help navigate the space in which businesses can often discover connections and undiscovered resources. They are a valuable resource and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out and give them a call at 313-400-9162. They want to help spark change within the Downriver Community.

Now, this opportunity came about through the Downriver Riverfront Communities Economic Recovery Implementation Project. The funds that were available were for small businesses in the area that were impacted by the closure of two local DTE coal-fired power plants or by the coronavirus pandemic, specifically for the cities of River Rouge, Ecorse, Wyandotte, Riverview and Trenton. Overall, there was a grand total of $150,000 that was made available at the time that helped to support the resiliency of various businesses. The goal was to use the funds to help improve the business, from marketing initiatives to process improvements. From the recipient's speeches, this opportunity was a life-saver and it really helped to advance each business, including but not limited to gaining more customers.

As for the Telegram Newspaper, our CEO/Publisher Mrs. Gina Wilson-Steward represented herself and her staff by taking part in this opportunity and event. With the help of Ms. Wilson-Steward, the Telegram News plans to increase our online presence and visibility, along with some other up-to-date changes. We will remain a multicultural community newspaper, with the goal to connect citizens within the region by publishing information that Educate, Enlighten, Uplift and Empower our readers and to deliver consumers to our advertisers' products and services.

Now don't you worry, the Telegram will continue to be unique in our approach to being a newspaper that the entire community turns to for local, state and national information. We are still your trusted and reliable source.

Other businesses included; A Cut Above the Rest; Lozon True Value Hardward, Bi-Rite Supermarket, Auburn Cafe', White Furniture, Fully Promoted, Downriver Community Clinic, Pure Data Services, UV Graphix, Arnaldo's Banquet Center, The Framery & Gallery, Elliott's Bakery and Coffee Shop, Open Book Theatre and Kevin James Menswear