MEDC announces food truck grant winners

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of $77,775 in grants for eight food trucks around the state.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced Michigan Strategic Fund approval of $77,775 in grants for eight food trucks around the state. 

The food trucks awarded today will be located in Traverse City, Kalamazoo, Pontiac, Marquette, Interlochen, Flint, Southfield and East Lansing (additional details below). The winning projects will provide $144,246.64 in matching funds. 

“The food truck business is booming and on the road to becoming a $2.7 billion dollar industry by 2017. Mobile food trucks attract foot traffic to downtown areas and create a unique and flavorful dining experience,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “Today’s grants will help food entrepreneurs from around the state launch their business ideas, grow, and create jobs in Michigan.”

Announced in June, the 2013 Mobile Cuisine Startup Program provides one-time grants of up to $10,000 to new food truck businesses or growing pre-existing businesses. Projects for consideration were those that offer easily accessible and unique food options to patrons in public spaces and contribute to the local economy by working with other local businesses and farms. The intent of this program is to assist with community and economic development by increasing pedestrian traffic in downtowns and traditional commercial cores. 

A total of 65 applications requesting $601,372 were submitted to the 2013 Mobile Cuisine Grant Program this summer. 

2013 Mobile Cuisine grant winners:

2013 mobile cuisine grant winners	Matching funds	Grant amount
MI Fresh Start (Traverse City)	$59,300	$10,000
The Organic Gypsy (Kalamazoo)	$6,268	$10,000
Plain and Fancy Food (Pontiac)	$7,205	$10,000
Roaming Harvest (Interlochen)	$6,563.66	$10,000
Dia De Los Tacos (Marquette)	$12,000	$7,775
Taco Now (Flint)	$13,571.98	$10,000
Detroit Pommes Frites (Southfield)	$25,750	$10,000
Pure F2T (East Lansing)	$13,588	$10,000
TOTAL	$144,246.64	$77,775

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.