Applications are available on March 1, 2026!

A new round of Match on Main grant funding has been announced with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and will open in early 2026. This provides the Marquette DDA the opportunity to apply for grant funds to assist a small business looking to launch or grow in Downtown Marquette!

*Please read carefully through the related Match on Main guidelines, including the Local Business Worksheet specific to the Marquette DDA, as some requirements may have changed. All MEDC grant guidelines can be found at the Match on Main website, and an updated Local Business Worksheet can be found below. In order to apply for the Match on Main grant, you MUST utilize one of the Marquette DDA edited Local Business Worksheet linked below.

*Please note: For purposes of this grant, Applicant refers to the entity applying on behalf of the local business. In this case, the Marquette DDA would be considered the Applicant. Local Business or Eligible Business refers to the businesses within Marquette’s downtown district that are interested in applying for the Match on Main Grant and meet the below criteria.

Match on Main Grant Program:

Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program that serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses by providing up to $25,000 in funding to an eligible small business through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the DDA. A minimum 10% match is required by the applying business. As the applicant, the DDA may submit up to two separate applications on behalf of two eligible businesses, with the possibility of one grant being awarded. Several Downtown Marquette businesses have recently completed their Match on Main grant projects, including Superior Culture, Ore Dock Brewing Co., Velodrome Coffee Co., and Great Northern Title.

Eligible Businesses:

  • The business must be located within the boundaries of the community served by the applicant.

  • It should be situated in a traditional downtown, a historic neighborhood commercial corridor, or an area planned and zoned for concentrated commercial development. This location should contribute to a dense, mixed-use area featuring multi-story buildings.

  • The business engages in face-to-face sales of products and/or services and maintains a physical presence in one of the specified areas, such as a storefront in a downtown location.

  • Prior to submitting a Match on Main application, the business must either own or have secured control over the site for which it is applying, and have permission from the property owner to complete the grant project, if applicable. Note: Changes to the proposed business location after grant selection may result in forfeiture of the grant.

  • Eligible entities include both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

  • The business must be headquartered in Michigan.

  • The business should not have received or been approved for an MEDC Match on Main grant previously (with the exception of a COVID-19 Match on Main Grant.)

Ineligible Businesses:

  • Franchises (including independent contractor agreements)

  • Businesses located in strip malls

  • "Big Box" retailers

  • Retailers whose primary sales come from marijuana, CBD, or tobacco products

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds:

Grant funds may be used to reimburse eligible, paid project expenses, including:

  • Technical assistance and design services

  • Interior building renovations

  • Permanent or semi-permanent outdoor space activation

  • Marketing, technology upgrades, and point-of-sale systems

  • Inventory purchases for retail goods

All expenses must be consistent with the approved project scope.

Grant Submission:

In order to be considered for this grant, a fully completed application must be submitted via email to tara@downtownmarquette.org no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 12 pm, or a printed version delivered to the DDA office at 337 W. Washington St., Marquette, MI 49855 by that time and date. Email submissions preferred. Incomplete grants will not be considered.

*Please note, all of the included Match on Main information is subject to change without notice.

Spring 2026 Grant Application and Information

Appendix A- Program Fact Sheet
Appendix C- Local Business Worksheet (Fillable by businesses)
Appendix C- Local Business Worksheet (Printable)
Appendix D- Local Business Scoring Sheet (for business reference)
Appendix E- Local Business Scoring Comparison (for business reference)
Appendix F- Timeline
Program User Guide

Tentative timeline for Winter 2026 Match on Main Program (dates subject to change):

Sunday, March 1, 2026: Program opens at local level, worksheet applications available for eligible Marquette DDA Local Businesses.

Tuesday, March 31 at 12 p.m.: Submission of Local Business Worksheet and accompanying information to Marquette DDA due. Please submit all required information at one time

Monday, April 13: A decision will be made no later than this date regarding which application(s) will be submitted to the MEDC Match on Main Grant by the Marquette DDA

TBD Summer 2026: Submitted applicant(s) will be notified of the status of their grant applications (approval/denial of grant)

TBD Fall 2026: Grant agreements will be processed and sent to grantees following a successful background review for signing.

Those awarded grants will have one year from grant agreement signing to fully complete grant and turn in information for reimbursement via the applicant.

Learn more about the Match on Main program and the MEDC here

Questions? Call Tara Laase-McKinney, DDA Executive Director at
(906)228-9475, ext 103, or by email at tara@downtownmarquette.org