Top Stories for Feb. 18, 2026

A Charlotte light rail traveling south with the Charlotte skyline in the background

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 Feb. 17. The Meeting agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. 

1. Project BOAST: The Board received an update on Project BOAST, a developing strategy that aims to equip small businesses to compete for public transportation, roadway and infrastructure contracts, and to help them avoid displacement as a result of transportation construction. An early framework for BOAST, or Business Opportunity and Supportive Transit, was introduced in November, after voters approved a one-percent sales tax to fund transportation improvements across Mecklenburg County. The update outlined new details for the proposed program, including funding and staffing recommendations over the next three years, and eligibility requirements for participating businesses and nonprofits. The Board will consider early funding for BOAST as part of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. 

2. Investing in Jobs: The Board approved Business Investment Program grants for two companies which have committed to bringing a combined 800+ jobs to Mecklenburg County. 

  • Up to $357,996 for Maersk, which selected Mecklenburg County for its North American headquarters and committed to adding 520 jobs to its Charlotte-based workforce. Maersk plans to hire positions in areas of logistics and supply, finance, legal, customer experience, human resources, business support and operations, with an average wage is $100,962.
  • Up to $210,000 for Pacific Life, which selected Mecklenburg County for its new East Coast hub, creating 301 new jobs over the next five years. The office will be in Charlotte’s South End, a significant hub for the insurance industry. New positions include actuarial, finance, technology and human resources roles, with an average wage of $177,584. 

3. Impact of One Big Beautiful Bill Act: The Board received an update on the impact of the federal government’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Mecklenburg County’s Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services. For Medicaid, the major changes include work requirements that go into effect in 2027 and the reevaluation of eligibility every six months instead of every 12 months. For Food and Nutrition Services, work requirements will be expanded, and beginning next year, states may be penalized for SNAP payment errors and required to pay a portion of the benefit costs based on those error rates. The impact of the federal act equals an increase in processing time and greater staff workload for both services, plus a reduction in administrative revenue of $17.5 million over two years for Mecklenburg County. A communication plan is being developed to educate residents on the forthcoming changes.

4. Keeping History Alive: The Board received the annual report and budget priorities from the Historic Landmarks Commission. The presentation highlighted four properties that received historic designation in 2025: 

Twenty additional properties were added to the study list for consideration of historic status, including McClintock Presbyterian Church, the Foard House, and others. The Historic Landmarks Commission has facilitated the designation of 382 historic landmarks throughout Mecklenburg County, the most of any county in North Carolina. 

5. Celebrating Ramadan: The Board proclaimed Feb. 17 – March 19 as “The Month of Ramadan.” Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, a sacred time that commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammad. Mecklenburg County acknowledges the importance of Ramadan as a time of spiritual growth, reflection, devotion, and inspiration to work towards a more just and compassionate world for all. The values of compassion, empathy, and charity that are emphasized during Ramadan are universal principles that can bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together in a spirit of unity and solidarity.  

6. Planning for Parks: Park and Recreation has added additional community workshops in February and March, giving residents more opportunities to weigh in on the next phase of the Meck Playbook master plan. Four sessions will be held across the county and online to accommodate various needs and schedules. The sessions on Feb. 19, March 5, and March 7 will build on strong turnout at two previous workshops and continued interest from residents to inform the next five years of planning for park and recreation. Workshops will be located across the county and available online to accommodate various needs and schedules. 

7. Finding Black History: The Board has proclaimed February as Black History Month in Mecklenburg County, recognizing the theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” Historically Black neighborhoods and Black Americans who advocated for their communities are honored at many locations across the county, including homes, parks, recreation centers, schools, historic markers, etc. Visit this interactive map to explore their stories and get to know the Black people and places that are significant to Charlotte-Mecklenburg history.