Oakland County/Pontiac

A City at the Crossroads

I’ve been a proud resident of Pontiac, Michigan, for the past few years, and while I love this city, I can’t ignore the struggle that surrounds it. Pontiac is a place with a deep history, filled with resilience and potential, yet it remains trapped in a cycle of poor leadership, economic stagnation, and a poverty mindset that’s been allowed to fester for far too long.

While Oakland County boasts some of the wealthiest communities in the nation, Pontiac—sitting at its heart—feels like the forgotten child of prosperity.

The numbers tell a stark truth. According to the Oakland County Economic Development Report, Oakland County holds over 20% of all business income in Michigan, yet Pontiac continues to struggle with a poverty rate of nearly 30%—more than double the national average.

The city is filled with abandoned buildings, failing infrastructure, and a dwindling sense of hope, while just a few miles away, neighboring cities thrive with billion-dollar investments and booming economic growth. The disparity is undeniable, and yet the real question remains: How did we get here, and more importantly, how do we move forward?

Pontiac wasn’t always like this. Once a thriving hub for the auto industry, it boasted strong working-class families and a booming economy. But when the auto plants closed and manufacturing jobs disappeared, Pontiac was left without a solid economic foundation.

Instead of adapting, the city fell into mismanagement, corruption, and financial despair.

What followed was decades of poor leadership, an emergency financial takeover, and a city government that has struggled to regain the trust of its people. While other cities evolved, Pontiac remained stagnant.

The people of Pontiac are resilient, but the city itself has become a case study in what happens when leadership fails and opportunity is ignored.

But let’s be clear—this isn’t just about blaming politicians or rehashing history. This is about what we do next.

One of Pontiac’s biggest hurdles isn’t just financial—it’s psychological. The city has been beaten down for so long that many of its residents have adopted a poverty mindset, a belief that things will never change and that struggling is simply the way it will always be.

A study from The University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions Initiative found that long-term economic decline creates a cycle of hopelessness, where residents stop believing in opportunities for change. This mindset impacts everything from education to entrepreneurship, making it harder for communities to break free from poverty.

Pontiac doesn’t just need investment—it needs a cultural shift.

The people of Pontiac need to see that their city is worth fighting for, that their businesses matter, that their voices count. That the city needs its artistic and ambitious energy flowing again.

It starts with leaders who show up, invest in education, encourage entrepreneurship, and make economic growth accessible. Providing incentive to get the blood pumping. But it also requires the surrounding wealthy communities to recognize that helping Pontiac rise benefits everyone...

Oakland County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, with a median household income of over $85,000—nearly double that of Pontiac. While cities like Birmingham, Rochester, and Bloomfield Hills attract new businesses and high-income residents, Pontiac continues to struggle with disinvestment, crime concerns, and lack of economic opportunity. But here’s the challenge: Pontiac is the heart of Oakland County, and ignoring its decline is a mistake for everyone.

Pontiac’s success is Oakland County’s success. If we revitalize this city, we don’t just change lives—we create a business hub that could drive economic growth for the entire region. New businesses in downtown Pontiac don’t just serve Pontiac residents—they bring in wealth from the surrounding cities, creating a regional economic win.

But this will require a shift in perception. Pontiac isn’t a lost cause—it’s an untapped opportunity. And if the surrounding communities and businesses fail to see that, they’re missing out on one of the greatest redevelopment potentials in Michigan.

A Challenge for Change

So here’s my challenge—to the leaders, the investors, the business owners, and the residents of Pontiac: Are we going to keep talking about how bad things are, or are we going to do something about it?

• If you’re in leadership, step up. Your job isn’t to sit in meetings and pass the blame—it’s to create solutions. Fight for investment. Push for transparency. Build trust with your people.

• If you’re a business owner, take a second look at Pontiac. The potential is here, the people are hungry for opportunity, and this city is one bold investment away from revival.

• If you’re a resident, change the narrative. Get involved, demand better, and don’t let anyone tell you that Pontiac can’t rise again. Because it can.

  
  

I’ve lived in Pontiac long enough to see both its struggles and its potential. We're a beautiful city, filled with resilience, hope, and the undeniable power of people who refuse to stay down. As every local knows... "Yak Town Don't Back Down" ...and with that, I think we're ready for the change, find us on our feet.

Stay strong and help build the community

-Troy Rienstra

#PontiacRising #EconomicJustice #RevitalizePontiac #LeadershipMatters