Love to eat out? Crave coffee? Most of us do, but if you live in some Detroit neighborhoods, your options might be limited. Although the city has had its share of successful retstauranters and small shops, many are located in area clusters that are not as acessible to neighborhood residents.

DTE hopes to change that with its program to foster restuarant and small business growth. Coined Bright Ideas for Neighborhoods, the program not only helps provide goods and services to area residents, but jobs too.

Initially, the business pitch competition was created to help stimulate interest in investment in the North End community followed by Southwest Detroit. So, it’s only natural that other neighborhood districts follow.

Business pitch competitions continue to inspire and motivate business owners to display their wares, according to a DTE spokesperon. This year’s event is the fourth installment of the program which is celebrating its third avnniversary.

This year, like many efforts, the competition will be held via Zoom and streamed on Facebook due to the pandemic.

DTE is focusing on Live6, located in the Livernois/McNichols area.

It hopes to spur local investment and to ignite additional support to encourage consumers to shop and buy local.

Seven contestants will compete for cash prizes:  $3,000 (1st), $2,000 (2nd) and $1,000 (3rd). All participants will receive a free enrollment in an eight-week business coaching course offered by CBA Formula, a leadership and consulting firm where cohorts learn business skills and are matched with financial contacts to further build their businesses.

Judges include DTE Electric President and CEO Trevor Lauer and its VP of Communications Nancy J. Moody, as well as Live6 Executive Director Dr. Geneva J. Williams, Detroit Branch NAACP Executive Director Kamillia Landrum and First Independence Bank’s Chief Administrative and Technology Officer Dimitrius Hutcherson.

Editor’s note: Learn more about and watch the August 31 event, which begins at 5 p.m. at:  brightideasforneighborhoods.com

  Detroit Small Shops, DTE Electric, DTE Energy