Pistons' owner pledges $10M to help resolve Flint water woes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FLINT, Mich. (AP) Tom Gores, a Flint native and owner of the Detroit Pistons, is pledging to raise $10 million to address the short- and long-term needs of his Michigan hometown, where the drinking water is contaminated with lead.
Gores said in a statement Thursday he has appointed two associates to raise money from other business leaders and identify priorities in Flint.
Gores, who is chairman of Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity, also will contribute. He says Flint once was a ''cornerstone of American industry,'' and that people ''from coast to coast'' need to step up.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem and Platinum Equity partner Mark Barnhill will lead the effort.
Barnhill says the residents' immediate needs are important but that long-term opportunities in Flint will also be explored, such as small business assistance.