Open Door Dearborn Grant Program

The Dearborn Downtown Development Authorities have awarded $187,500 in Open Door Dearborn grants to help 21 start-ups and local businesses improve their buildings since 2019. 

While leveraging this program to make substantial improvements to their buildings and business operations, businesses like Haraz Coffee and Black Box increase the viability and visual appeal in the downtown contributing to the overall economic growth in Downtown Dearborn. This investment has now stimulated many other businesses and property owners to follow suit. 

Created in 2019, the DDDA annually funds the grant program to promote and enhance the commercial core of the community, to preserve public investment and to improve the viability of businesses within the DDDA Districts. An existing business, property owner or entrepreneur moving to the DDDA districts may apply for funds to help with design assistance, signage, business start-up, facade improvements and business expansions. Grants of up to $10,000 are available. 

Grant Types and Levels Include:

Level 1 – Design Incentives Available Up to $2500

• Exterior Design Assistance
• Signage Improvement

Level 2 – Business Start-Up Incentives Available Up to $5,000

• Retail Start-Ups
• Arts, Culture and Creative Businesses
• Incubators
• Pop Ups

Level 3 – Design Incentives Available Up to 20% of Costs, Not Exceeding $10,000 Reimbursement

• Facade Improvement
• Expansion/Development

(Expansion is defined as: Adding square footage to an existing building, acquisition of neighboring property, addition of outdoor seating or service areas that thereby add taxable value to the property; or moving to a larger facility within the district.)

Open  Door  Dearborn  has  an  open  application  process,  therefore,  applications  may  be  submitted at  any  time  of  the  year.  Applications  will  be  reviewed  within  30  days for the DDDA Board’s consideration. 

For eligibility criteria and more information, download the Open Door Dearborn Grant Application and review the Design Guidelines which all applications are evaluated against.