Funding for Main Street: Grants, Loans and Tax Incentives

Since 2001, Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) communities have leveraged nearly $1.2 billion in public and private investment in downtown districts throughout Oakland County.

Strategic funding partnerships help communities build local capacity, strengthen small businesses, preserve historic places, and create vibrant downtowns that reflect their unique identity.

Explore the funding opportunities below to learn about grants available to Main Street communities, as well as additional state, federal, and private funding resources.

Partner Grant Programs

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation – Main Street Momentum Grant
Enhancing Rural Downtowns as Hubs

Beginning in 2026, Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) is partnering with Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to offer a one-time grant opportunity for eligible rural Main Street communities in Oakland County. This program is designed to enhance these rural downtowns as gathering hubs, grow local capacity, and support small business.

This one-time grant amount is up to $20,000 per eligible community – with no match required – and spans a two-year implementation period.

Eligible communities are Clarkston, Holly, Highland, Lake Orion, Leonard, Lyon Township – New Hudson, Ortonville, Oxford, South Lyon, Wixom, and Groveland and Holly Townships – Dixie Highway Corridor.

^{Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation – Main Street Momentum Grant announced at Main Event 2026}

Grant Program Focus: Capacity building, small business support, and bricks-and-mortar public improvements.

Deadline: The application will open soon. This rolling grant program remains open for application acceptance and review through February 1, 2028, or until all available funding has been awarded.

Print-Ready Grant Description Sheet

Applicants with questions are encouraged to contact their Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) liaison.

Questions? Contact: Erick Phillips or Alex Huff of Oakland County,
phillipse@oakgov.com or huffa@oakgov.com

Learn more about the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s investments in rural communities.

Genisys Credit Union – Spirit of Main Street Grant
Supporting Micro Businesses and Startups

Since 2018, this grant partnership has been helping Main Street entrepreneurs launch or expand their locally-owned business – supporting the overall attraction, retention, and growth of small businesses in historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors to keep them economically thriving.

The maximum grant award is $5,000 – with a minimum dollar-for dollar match provided by the applicant. The cost of labor and materials can go towards grant match. Signage is not eligible.

Eligibility: Eligible businesses can be in the Startup Phase (0 to 1 year old) or Existing (1 to 5 years old) and must be located in one of the Main Street Districts, including Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Franklin, Groveland and Holly Township—Dixie Highway Corridor, Hazel Park, Highland, Holly, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Leonard, Lyon Township – New Hudson, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac—Downtown, Pontiac—Huron Corridor, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, South Lyon, and Wixom. Downtown organizations are eligible to apply and can also assist a local business with matching funds if desired.

Eligible Activities: Location renovations and preparations; equipment purchases; required permits and fees; rent assistance programs; outdoor improvements (excluding signage); and other uses deemed appropriate to support the creation, relocation or expansion of a micro business.

Print-Ready Grant Description Sheet

2026 Open/Close Deadlines: Coming soon.

Questions? Contact: Erick Phillips, Senior Local Business Development Consultant, Oakland County
phillipse@oakgov.com

MSU Federal Credit Union – Main Street Connected Grant
Providing Technology and Digitally-Based Support

This grant partnership provides technology and digital support for eligible Main Street small businesses and organizations to support the attraction, retention, growth, and overall economic vitality of our historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial corridors – bolstering entrepreneurship locally.

Grants can be up to $2,500 each. A minimum dollar-for-dollar match must be provided by the applicant. The cost of labor, software, and hardware that is directly and specifically connected to implementing the project can go towards the grant match.

Eligibility: Small business may be up to 10 years old and must be independently owned (no franchises) in one of the Main Street Districts in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Ferndale, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Ortonville, Pontiac, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield, and Wixom.

Downtown organizations are eligible to apply and can also assist a local business with matching funds if desired. NOTE: Pop-up businesses are eligible provided they have been open in the downtown district on a consistent basis for a minimum of six months. One time event pop-up businesses are not eligible.

Eligible Projects: Development or use of data analytics software; payment processing software or equipment purchases, including point of sale; website creation and e-commerce support; social media or digital marketing costs; cybersecurity and data protection; customer relationship management costs;

Project or inventory management software costs; and creation or implementation of pop-up operations or public markets.

Print-Ready Grant Description Sheet

2026 Open/Close Deadlines: Coming soon.

Questions? Contact: Erick Phillips, Senior Local Business Development Consultant, Oakland County: 
phillipse@oakgov.com

External Grants and Funding Sources

In addition to MSOC partner grants, a variety of funding opportunities are available from federal, state, county, nonprofit, and private organizations. Because application cycles and eligibility requirements change throughout the year, our Main Street communities receive monthly updates regarding application deadlines and new opportunities. The list below is updated annually.

Resources may include grants, low-interest loans, tax incentives, and technical assistance programs that support downtown revitalization, historic preservation, placemaking, economic development, housing, infrastructure, sustainability, and small business growth.

Need assistance identifying funding opportunities?
Contact the Main Street Oakland County team at planninggroup@oakgov.com

Also look at:
Main Street America
MiFunding Hub

GRANT TIPS & RESOURCES

Grant Writing Training Presentation (Sept 2023)
Successful Grant Writing: When Opportunity Meets Preparation
Main Street Grants Catalog
Where Do I Start? Grant Tips for Small Businesses and Main Street Property Owners

LOANS

The Oakland County Business Finance Corporation (BFC)
Range: $250,000 to $13 million+
CEED Lending Micro Loans
Range: Up to $50,000
The Oakland County Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Range: $2 million to $10 million

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ORGANIZATION

PROMOTION

ECONOMIC VITALITY