About the Project

Our mission is to create an economic development organizational framework that helps establish a cohesive and effective economic development ecosystem, fostering transformation in Pontiac.

WHY WE NEED TO ACT NOW

The quality of life for Pontiac residents must be fundamentally improved. Current economic challenges are tightly connected to problems with housing, business success, and public health.

The Housing Problem: More than 60% of residents rent, which creates instability in the community. High rent costs often exceed a monthly mortgage payment, yet renters lack protection from annual price increases. It is also difficult for people to buy homes because there are not enough diverse housing options, such as condos or townhouses.

Supporting Small Businesses: Pontiac has an average income of $42,000, which means many residents rely on starting their own businesses. However, most small business owners use all their money just to open their doors and survive, leaving no capital to invest in growth. This prevents local businesses from hiring more people and offering higher wages.

Health and Quality of Life: A key indicator of this systemic inequality is the life expectancy gap: men in Pontiac can die up to 20 years sooner than men in neighboring cities. This health disparity highlights the need for fundamental change.

The Core Purpose

The end goal of the Pontiac Economic Development Organizational (EDO) Framework Initiative is to help Pontiac create jobs, increase wages and benefits, and develop the workforce so that the quality of life is comparable to the rest of Oakland County. Success starts with a better-aligned organizational structure, but ultimately depends on changing the community's story by focusing on better housing, higher incomes, and improved life expectancy.

Build a Scalable Business Ecosystem

Invest in Place and Housing Stability

Achieve Resident Economic and Health Equity

What This Initiative Will Accomplish

A great community is built on a strong sense of place—where residents are proud to live and businesses feel supported at every step. This means ensuring that residents have the skills for high-paying jobs and local businesses have the talent they need to grow. When the people and businesses already present are supported, it creates a community where everyone can thrive.

To do this, future economic development needs to focus on three key areas:

Stronger Local Economy

Supporting, keeping, and attracting businesses while building a foundation that helps small businesses grow and stay strong over time.

Stable Neighborhoods and Housing

Directing investment into the downtown, commercial corridors, and neighborhoods to ensure there are diverse housing options and stable communities for all residents.

Better Opportunities for Residents

Focusing on comprehensive job training and increasing resident incomes.

PROJECT PERSPECTIVE

The Pontiac Economic Development Organizational (EDO) Framework Initiative will define clear roles, responsibilities, and interrelationships of existing and future economic development entities and partners that create and strengthen a comprehensive economic development structure.

Pontiac is currently experiencing a period of exciting growth and change, backed by dedicated civic leaders, non-profits, and business owners. Major projects like the Oakland County Campus relocation, the X-Change project, and the Woodward Loop are bringing significant, once-in-a-generation investments to the city. These developments are expected to revitalize the area and create new opportunities for long-time residents and businesses.

The Pontiac EDO Framework Initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for everyone in Pontiac by redefining its economic foundation. To manage this growth effectively and equitably, the City of Pontiac and Pontiac Funders Collaborative are supporting this Initiative. This effort will create a clear, comprehensive plan for an economic development structure that ensures all participating organizations collaborate seamlessly to enhance the community for both residents and businesses.

The Initiative’s primary focus is to strengthen existing key groups, such as Main Street Pontiac (MSP) and the Pontiac Tax Increment Financing Authority (TIFA). The initiative will also explore the need and process for establishing or re-establishing other crucial development organizations, like a Pontiac Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), the Pontiac Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA), a Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and other economic organizations and tools.

Crucially, this entire process will involve extensive community engagement. Businesses, property owners, community leaders, and residents will have a voice in exploring all options to determine the best structure and priorities for Pontiac’s future economic hub.

PHASES

The Pontiac Economic Development Organizational (EDO) Framework Initiative will occur over an 18-month project timeline, divided into seven phases, which began in January 2026.

January 2026 - May 2027