Educate, And Revitalization Will Follow?

Kalamazoo, Michigan, has developed a unique plan for revitalization: free college tuition for any student who enters the school system by ninth grade.

1 minute read

March 14, 2006, 8:00 AM PST

By Matt Baumann

"...Kalamazoo is upsetting the traditional economic-development model. In the past, blighted cities across the nation signed onto various types of revitalization plans. Mainly, they focused on physical improvements -- including new public spaces, office parks and other civic amenities -- in hopes of spurring economic and social progress.

[Kalamazoo's plan] The Promise is different. By making education the cornerstone of the city's turnaround plan, Kalamazoo is hoping that other positive changes will follow."

Thanks to Matt Baumann

FULL STORY: Kalamazoo, Mich., pegs city's revival on tuition plan

Friday, March 10, 2006 in Wall Street Journal via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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