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 LANSING - State Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac) today applauded the recent commitment of $400,000 from the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority to the Pontiac Promise Zone as another step toward increasing accessibility to higher education for Pontiac School District students. The District covers much of the city of Auburn Hills.

"Every child deserves the chance to get a high-quality education and that's what the Pontiac Promise Zone is all about," said Melton, Chair of the House Education Committee. "Investing in education will allow Michigan to maintain the 21st century workforce it needs to attract businesses to Michigan and create jobs for Michigan workers. I applaud the Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority for stepping up and investing in our children's and state's future." 

The Pontiac School Board accepted the funding commitment on Monday as part of an agreement to extend the Tax Increment Finance District another twenty years. With this latest contribution, the Pontiac Promise Zone has raised $750,000, which will be used to pay college tuition for graduating students attending school within the district boundaries.

The Pontiac Promise Zone was created last year through legislation sponsored by Melton that authorizes up to 10 Promise Zones throughout Michigan. The legislation creates a public-private partnership to raise money to pay for tuition of all students in a community. The Pontiac Promise Zone is based on the Kalamazoo Promise - the nation's first Promise Zone plan - which guarantees graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools free college tuition at any university or community college in Michigan.

 "It's incredible that on the day President Obama spoke in Kalamazoo, the Pontiac Promise has taken another significant step forward," Melton said. "These events signal a new focus on re-vitalizing our urban areas, using education as a tool in fixing our economy and ensuring that all kids get access to the quality education they deserve."

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