Motor City Contractor Fund

The Motor City Contractor Fund had an incredible time at the?NAWIC Detroit 183 BuildHer Women’s Empowerment Summit! Our Program Manager,?Shenai Jackson, joined an inspiring panel discussion,?“Building the Future: Mentorship and Advocacy for Women in Construction.” The conversation centered on how mentorship and advocacy are essential to empowering the next generation of women, fostering inclusion, and driving leadership in the construction industry. Events like this are crucial in ensuring women in construction have the support, resources, and connections to thrive. A huge thank you to?NAWIC Detroit?for hosting such a powerful event during?Women in Construction Week. We’re proud to be part of a movement that uplifts and champions women in the trades. #WomenInConstruction #NAWICDetroit #MotorCityContractorFund #EmpowerHer #BuildHer #MentorshipMatters #ConstructionLeadership

We’re helping build Detroit one contractor at a time. The Motor City Contractor Fund is on a mission to make sure Detroit’s contractors get the support they need to succeed. By 2030, our vision is to support 325 contractors—not only with lending but by preparing them for more job opportunities right here in the city. With millions of dollars in projects on the table, we’re making sure Detroit’s contractors have the resources, connections, and capital they need to win. #MotorCityContractors?#DetroitBuilders Gilbert Family Foundation, CDC Small Business Finance, Invest Detroit, Kinnus Paul, Krysta Pate, Shenai Jackson, Nicole Parker, LifeLine Global Consulting, Detroit Development Fund

Thursday, Network Connection spotlighted the dedicated professionals fueling Detroit’s growth. Kicking off in the morning with a warm welcome from Invest Detroit, Gilbert Family Foundation, and the City of Detroit's Mayor's Office, the event ran through the afternoon, offering main stage discussions, speed coaching, vendor meet-and-greets, plus on-site headshots and interviews. Detroit contractors gained fresh perspectives, met new collaborators, and discovered innovative resources to elevate their work. For more information on Motor City Contractor Fund empowers Detroit contractors visit https://lnkd.in/gfa62Yq9

Check out how Detroit contractors are getting the support they need to build up our city! Shenai Jackson (Invest Detroit), Kinnus Paul (Gilbert Family Foundation), and Marja Farrow (The Farrow Group) sat down with Dave Spencer to share how the Motor City Contractor Fund empowers local businesses to grow. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/eUeekxqQ.

Motor City Contractor Fund’s Network Connection was all about celebrating the hardworking contractors who keep Detroit building! From 10 AM to 4:30PM, attendees made power moves—networking, learning about game-changing resources, and finding new ways to level up their businesses. A HUGE shoutout to our incredible cohosts, partners, lenders, and vendors who made it all happen: Gilbert Family Foundation, Invest Detroit, Detroit Development Fund, Barton Malow, CDC Small Business Finance, LifeLine Global Consulting, and The Ownership Initiative. Missed it? Don’t worry—we got you. Check out the highlights! ???#MotorCityContractors

Meet Cohort 2 member Aaron Smith, founder and president of Detroit Grounds Crew—a company transforming Detroit’s neighborhoods by turning blight into beauty. Their services include tree removal, site clearing, excavation, grading, and hauling, helping to reshape the city one project at a time. Through the Motor City Contractor Fund, Aaron and his team secured a $300K line of credit that has been instrumental in their growth. With access to educational modules, networking opportunities, and financial resources, the fund has helped Detroit Grounds Crew refine their growth plan and expand its capacity to take on more contracts. In Aaron’s words:?"The greatest impact of the Motor City Contracting Fund is the capacity to fulfill more contracts. It’s helped us strengthen our foundation, retool our growth strategy, and look at more opportunities we couldn’t before." For anyone considering the Motor City Contractor Fund, Aaron’s advice is clear: ?"Commit the time and effort. Go through the modules. The growth opportunities are immense." We’re proud to see Detroit Grounds Crew thriving, bringing safety, beauty, and opportunity to the city.

The Motor City Contractor Fund (MCCF) is proud to celebrate a major milestone: 50 Detroit-based, minority-owned contractors attended the “Show Me the Money Mastery Session, where they gained invaluable insights and connections to fuel their business growth. Each of the contractors will also receive a $5,000 grant to assist with their business needs. Launched in 2022 as a pilot program with support from Rocket Community Fund, the MCCF program has expanded from 25 to 50 participants for its second cohort thanks to a $3M investment from the Gilbert Family Foundation and support from Invest Detroit, Detroit Development Fund, Barton Malow and The Ownership Initiative.?

Exciting news from the Motor City Contractor Fund! We're thrilled to announce that the Motor City Contractor Fund has launched Cohort 2, featuring 50 talented contractors ready to continue making their mark in Detroit! These entrepreneurs are not just participants; they’re innovators, creators, and community builders, with most of them based in Detroit or actively working on projects right here in our vibrant city. Join us in celebrating their commitment to enhancing our neighborhoods and driving local growth. Together, we’re transforming the Motor City—one project at a time! #MotorCityContractorFund #Cohort2 #SupportLocal #DetroitStrong #CommunityBuilders #CityofDetroit