Growing Pontiac

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Established by the Oakland County (MI) Treasurer’s Office in 2015, Growing Pontiac is a program that utilizes vacant properties held by the county due to tax foreclosure to help strengthen the local food system in the City of Pontiac (the County Seat of Oakland County) and surrounding neighborhoods. Growing Pontiac produces educational and community events, bundles resources for citizens, promotes civic engagement, and helps support local and community gardens. By supporting interest in community gardening and other creative uses for vacant lots, the program has helped create a market for typically undesirable county-held parcels and has significantly impacted the volume of sales of these properties, returning them to tax rolls and productive use. Events produced by Growing Pontiac have focused on bringing together residents, businesses, non-profits, and governmental partners to explore subjects related to urban farming and community gardening in a fun and social environment. Presently, Growing Pontiac is offering a full schedule of low-cost classes available to the public throughout 2018. In an age of increasingly tight public budgets, the public-private partnership of Growing Pontiac has increased sales of foreclosed properties, promoted associated local businesses, educated residents, and strengthened neighborhoods and the local food system.