Top Stories for April 17, 2024
Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board met on Tuesday, April 16. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 2:30 p.m.
1. Powering New Jobs: The Board of County Commissioners approved $2.8 million for a business investment grant to Siemens Energy, one of the world's leading energy technology companies. Siemens is looking to expand its existing site in south Charlotte and create an advanced manufacturing facility for large power transformers. The new facility would invest nearly $150 million in Mecklenburg County and employ more than 475 full-time workers. Siemens Energy has more than 10,000 employees in the U.S.
2. Opportunities for At-Risk Youth: The Board approved $2,051,713 and plans by the Juvenile Crime Prevention Councilto invest it in community-based programs to support the juvenile justice system. The funding comes from the N.C. Department of Public Safety for fiscal year 2025. The dollars will go to organizations that offer skill building and vocational training, mentoring, substance abuse counseling, and more. The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council works to address gaps in youth services by promoting prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare strategies and programs that strengthen families and support community safety.
3. Giving Residents a Ride: The Board heard plans for post-COVID modifications to Mecklenburg Transportation System’s (MTS) trips for senior and disabled residents. During the pandemic period, the County received federal CARES funding that allowed it to expand trip services and waive the $1.50 passenger fare. CARES and other relief funding is expected to run out within the next year. The modifications will sustain MTS operations while continuing to provide Medicaid and other transportation services to meet the health needs of the community. That includes trips to medical appointments, grocery stores, farmer’smarkets, adult day care sites, congregate nutrition sites, and others.
4. Second Chances: The Board proclaimed April as N.C. Re-entry Month, encouraging residents to support the transition of people with criminal histories back into the community. Mecklenburg County receives about 1,200 residents each year from State and Federal incarceration. Formerly incarcerated people are 10 times more likely to become homeless. To serve those residents upon their release, Mecklenburg County’s Reentry Servicespromotes employment stability, service engagement, and continuing education.
5. This Is Meck: Park and Recreation is turning 50 years old! Residents are invited to begin the celebration at Charlotte’s first municipal park, Independence Park, with the This Is Meck festival. In partnership with the Trail of History, the festival will feature history programming and education by local partners, community outreach organizations, food, music, and much more. The free festival will take place Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane in Charlotte.