MEDC awards grant for renovation of historic inn into full-service restaurant, creation of 38 jobs

The historic White Horse Inn in downtown Metamora will be renovated into a full-service restaurant with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

LANSING, Mich. – The historic White Horse Inn in downtown Metamora will be renovated into a full-service restaurant with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The project is expected to result in private investment of $1.8 million and creation of 38 jobs.

“The renovation of the historic White Horse Inn into a vibrant new restaurant will bring new vitality to downtown Metamora and lead to further positive development in the community,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “We are pleased to support the efforts of the entire community in restoring the White Horse Inn and bringing new life to the downtown area.”

Metamora Systems, Inc. has received a $570,000 Community Development Block Grant for the complete renovation of the historic White Horse Inn in downtown Metamora into a full-service restaurant. Due to years of deferred maintenance and negligence, the building is in need of rehabilitation in order to bring the structure up to code, provide a safe, healthy functional work environment and ultimately create 38 full time equivalent positions in downtown Metamora. 

This project includes the restoration of a historic portion of the original White Horse Inn as well as the demolition of portions of the structure to make way for new construction. The Village of Metamora Downtown Development Authority will also make an anticipated contribution of $300,000 for demolition, restoration, infrastructure and utilities, furniture and fixtures, as well as start-up costs.

Metamora Systems has agreed that at least 20 of the 38 positions created by the project will be held by low and moderate income individuals. 

“The White Horse Inn is an excellent example of how a historic structure can be used as the foundation for new investment and economic growth, but it wouldn’t have happened without the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,” said Metamora Systems owner and restaurateur Victor Dzenowagis, who with his wife Linda Egeland owns five other restaurants in Southeast Michigan. “I can’t say enough about how appreciative I am that the state has the programs, foresight and expertise in place to help businesses and communities in Michigan. We also thank the Village of Metamora for its support of a project that will strengthen downtown Metamora and the community.”

The Michigan Strategic Fund, in cooperation with MEDC, administers the economic and community development portions of the Community Development Block Grant program. CDBG is a federal grant program utilizing funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development. 

Each year Michigan receives approximately $30 million in federal CDBG funds, out of which various projects are funded throughout the state. Funds are used to provide grants to eligible counties, cities, villages, and townships, usually with populations under 50,000, for economic development, community development and housing projects.

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.