Model D: New Economy Initiative announces winners of fifth annual NEIdeas Challenge

By Aaron Mondry, Model D

For the fifth year in a row, the New Economy Initiative has provided grants of $10,000 to existing businesses in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park as part of its NEIdeas Challenge.

Of the 26 grant winners announced in this year’s round, 77 percent are minority-owned businesses, and 65 percent are women-owned businesses. To date, NEIdeas has awarded a total of $2.16 million to 144 businesses.

“Though they might lack capital and connections to resources, neighborhood small businesses have no shortage of great ideas for growth,” said Pam Lewis, NEI’s director, in a press release. “The NEIdeas challenge accomplished what we set out to do — connecting been-up businesses to a network of support that can help them realize their ambitions and thrive. We’re thrilled to honor another group of neighborhood entrepreneurs and businesses who mean so much to their communities.”

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