In 2008 the "Michigan Promise Zone Act" (Act 549 and Act 550) was passed, which provided a rare opportunity for ten communities within the state to strive to become "Promise Zones."

Purpose

The purpose of a Promise Zone is to support local efforts to promise a college education to K-12 students who reside within the zone. These funds would be available after all other student aid has been exhausted.

Organization

In April 2009, the Michigan Department of Treasury approved the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District's application to become a Promise Zone.

An Authority Board, representing different professions in the community, now meets regularly and is currently conducting research, planning, and evaluating the potential to raise the private dollars that must fund the Promise Zone for the first two years.

After the second year of distributing privately funded scholarships, a certified Promise Zone can then capture one-half of the growth in the state education tax to be used for a two-year associate's degree or up to a four-year degree for resident students.

Muskegon Area Promise Zone Authority Board
    

Member Name                                     Organization Represented 

Brian Barber                            Muskegon Opportunity
Lee Coggin                              Baker College
Robert Jacobs                         Community Shores Bank
Cindy Larsen                           Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce
Chris McGuigan                      Community Foundation for Muskegon County
Dave Sipka                              Muskegon Area Intermediate School District
Gary Nelund                            State Farm Insurance
Dr. Dale Nesbary                    Muskegon Community College
Steven Olsen                          Northern Machine Tool Company
Steve Parker                           LongView Management Consulting 

Muskegon Area Promise Zone Authority Board Meeting Dates

All meetings are held at 7:32 a.m. at the MAISD Educational Services Center Board Room, 630 Harvey Street, Muskegon, MI 49442

August 2, 2011 September 6, 2011 October 4, 20211 November 1, 2011 - Cancelled December 6, 2011    - Resched. to 12/14/11 8:00 AM January 3, 2012 - Cancelled    - Resched. to 01/20/12 10:00 AM

February 7, 2012 - Cancelled March 6, 2012 - Cancelled April 3, 2012 - Cancelled May 1, 2012 - Cancelled June 5, 2012 - Cancelled July 3, 2012 - Cancelled

Muskegon Area Promise Zone Authority Board Meeting Minutes

September 30, 2009
October 14, 2009
November 11, 2009

January 13, 2010
February 10, 2010
March 10, 2010
April 14, 2010
May 12, 2010
June 9, 2010
October 8, 2010
November 12, 2010
December 7, 2010

January 4, 2011
March 1, 2011
May 3, 2011
June 7, 2011
July 13, 2011
August 2, 2011
September 13, 2011
October 4, 2011
November 1, 2011 - Meeting Cancelled
December 14, 2011
January 3, 2012 - Meeting Cancelled
January 20, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions about the Promise Zone

Also see Press Release