County Ponies Up For Promise Zone

L-R Blake Prewitt, Ken DeLaat, Dick Dunning, Paul Mellema Holly Moon, Chuck Trapp, Bryan Kolk, Mike Kruithoff, Brenda Bird and Jim Maike- Photo by Jodi McGarry

The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners presented the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone with a donation of $250,000 to their endowment fund at the Fremont Area Community Foundation. The funds are part of the American Rescue Plan Act money received by the county to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Board Chair Bryan Kolk presented the symbolic outsized check to PZ Board members Blake Prewitt, Holly Moon and Dick Dunning at the regular meeting of the board on Wednesday, July 26th.

The Newaygo County Area Promise Zone provides high school graduates with a tuition-free path to an approved apprenticeship or an associate degree from Muskegon Community College. The Promise Zone believes that every student, regardless of financial means, should have the opportunity to earn post-secondary credentials.   

"On behalf of the Promise Zone Board we extend our appreciation to the Newaygo County Commissioners for their extraordinary and generous financial gift, " said NC RESA Superintendent and PZ Board Chair Blake Prewitt. “ Their donation of $250,000 empowers us to extend our reach and support to an even greater number of students at Muskegon Community College. The unwavering support we receive from our county is a testament to the remarkable commitment and care for our Newaygo County students."
 
"The Newaygo County Board of Commissioners are thanked for their vision and wisdom in making this major grant possible for the Promise Zone. Providing tuition-free higher education possibilities for all Newaygo County students is an exceptional opportunity for us to give thanks,” shared Dick Dunning, Promise Zone Authority Member.
  
By helping to remove the financial barrier that so many students face, the Promise Zone is helping to shift a cultural stigma that college is too expensive. With the Promise Scholarship, many students are starting to believe that higher education is within their reach and taking steps to plan for their future.  
 
Promise Zone Authority Member Holly Moon addressed commissioners during public comment: 
 "I can't tell you how many young people's lives will be changed by the County of Newaygo's very generous donation.  This is huge!! Many of our Promise Scholars are first generation students and need much guidance and support in their college studies.  Our Success Coaching staff will be greatly enhanced by this wonderful gift, and it will ensure greater  success and less missteps for these first-time students, as well as enabling wider eligibility for the Promise Scholarship.  Our Newaygo County community and families, in addition to business and industry will also be directly impacted. Thank you so much for supporting our efforts to offer tuition- free degrees now and for many years to come!"

Since beginning in 2017, the Promise Zone has awarded over $2.4 million in tuition payments in support of over 300 Newaygo County students who have enrolled in pursuing their post-secondary credentials.
 
For more information about the Newaygo County Area Promise Zone visit www.promise.zone, email apply@promise.zone or call 231-924-8888.