05.07.2010 -  Dreams do come true. The dream of a college education is now a reality for graduating seniors in 28 northeast Mississippi school districts. In 1996, CREATE's Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi began to envision higher education for all high school graduates. That vision has now become a reality through the Tuition Guarnatee Program. The commission helps provide funding for the Lee County program through a grant from the Marchbanks Endowment Fund. the fund is named for John and Frances Marchbanks. John, a native of Shannon, Mississippi and his wife, Frances, left a legacy of hope for northeast Mississippi. Mr. & Mrs. Marchbanks donated a gift of $8.5 million to benefit the region. We believe they wold be very pleased with the impact their gift is making in northeast Mississippi. The Commission designated $60,000 in Marchbanks grants to three of our area community colleges. Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, and East Mississippi Community College each received a $20,000 grant to help implement the Tuition Guarnatee Program.

The Commission studies regional data and recommends solutions to key issues affecting our region. Its 47 volunteer members are from the 16-county region that CREATE serves.