The Promise Benefits the Pittsburgh Region
The Promise plays a part in the economic development of the City of Pittsburgh and its surrounding region. Based on the premise that healthy regions must have a healthy core, the Promise does the following:

• Impacts the region's economy by infusing it with a diverse body of educated citizens. According to a 2008 study by CEO's For Cities, growing the region's college-educated population by one percentage point (an additional 16,500 graduates) adds $1.8 billion to our region's annual economy.
• Battles population declines by providing incentives for those who now live in the City of Pittsburgh to remain, and those who are considering Pittsburgh as a place to live and educate their children to relocate. The promise of up to $40,000 per child is already proving to be a significant factor in how people choose where to live.
• Promotes economic development by providing additional "perks" for companies to offer their employees for choosing to live in Pittsburgh, and for realtors to offer their clients for buying a home in Pittsburgh.

While a "cause and effect" relationship is impossible to ascertain, it is interesting to note the following:

• In 2006, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Superintendent Mark Roosevelt announced their vision for The Pittsburgh Promise.
• In 2007, Mr. Jeffery Romoff, CEO of UPMC, announced UPMC's historic challenge grant of $100 million to seed The Pittsburgh Promise, the second largest private grant to a public school system in the history of the United States.
• In 2008, The Pittsburgh Promise began to provide scholarships, promote public school reform, and leverage economic development.