Business Engagement and Resources

The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone offers a variety of resources for local businesses, including events like BIZ Connects and Business Roundtables. These events connect small businesses with each other and to the team's Small Business Engagement Manager, Kitty Whitfield.

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Small Business Engagement Manager

The small business engagement manager connects small businesses in Downtown Detroit with city departments and assists with customer service experiences. This helps to improve processes, facilitate communications, resolve problems, and provide essential information in a timely manner.

For assistance, please contact Small Business Engagement Manager Kitty Whitfield.

BIZ Resources

As part of the continued effort to provide information and engage Downtown businesses regularly, the BIZ provides access to resources, events, and information through the Downtown BIZ Connect network.

Downtown Detroit BIZ Ambassadors, established in 2006, has transformed the appearance of Downtown Detroit. The Ambassadors are the proactive and friendly individuals who clean public areas and serve as information resources for Downtown’s businesses, residents and visitors.

The BIZ supports a healthy and green Downtown through beautiful trees, plants and flowers that help create a welcoming environment. The BIZ contributes to four Downtown parks maintained by the DDP, medians in key corridors, sidewalk planters and highway entrances.

The BIZ works collaboratively with community partners in the Downtown to provide resources and help ensure a safe and secure environment. BIZ safety efforts also serves as an extension of Project Lighthouse^TM, the Downtown Central Business District neighborhood watch.

BIZ Business Spotlights

Let The Spirit Card Guide You Around Downtown Detroit

The Spirit Card is a digital community gift card that was developed and managed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership. The program was created to support businesses in Downtown Detroit and . . .

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BIZ Business Spotlights

BIZ Small Business Spotlight – House of Pure Vin

BIZ Small Business Spotlight – House of Pure Vin Owner, Regina Gaines November 2023 BIZ Small Business Spotlight features Regina Gaines, owner of House of Pure Vin, which has been . . .

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BIZ Business Spotlights

Spectacles in Downtown Detroit, the Place to Be!

Zana Smith opened Spectacles in Downtown Detroit and believes this is just the beginning. She loves being Downtown because the community has so much to offer and it is the . . .

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BIZ Business Spotlights

BESA, Where Customers Come First

The word “Besa” is Albanian, which means “our guest before ourself.” Learn about this restaurant that provides a taste of the Adriatic Sea and how they aim to live up . . .

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BIZ Business Spotlights

100+ Years of Experience, Invaluable Advice

Hot Sam’s has been in business in Downtown Detroit for more than 100 years. Cliff Green and his business partner, Tony Stovall became owners of the staple men’s clothier in . . .

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BIZ Business Spotlights

Continuing the Legacy

By Kitty Whitfield, Small Business Engagement Manager The Atheneum Suite Hotel opened 30 years ago at a time when there was only two upscale hotels in Downtown Detroit. While the hotel . . .

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Business Engagement and Resources

Small Business Engagement Manager

BIZ Resources

Community & Business Engagement

Downtown BIZ Ambassadors

Park & Street Landscaping

Safety

Let The Spirit Card Guide You Around Downtown Detroit

BIZ Small Business Spotlight – House of Pure Vin

Spectacles in Downtown Detroit, the Place to Be!

BESA, Where Customers Come First

100+ Years of Experience, Invaluable Advice

Continuing the Legacy

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