Top Stories for Jan. 7, 2026

1. Helping All Residents Rise: Mecklenburg County will welcome two new leaders to focus on improving upward mobility, with an emphasis on economic development and workforce development. County Manager Mike Bryant has appointed Dr. Virginia Covill as assistant county manager of workforce development and upward mobility, designing and executing strategies that emphasize workforce and economic development. Christopher Rivera will join the Department of Community Resources as director of the new economic mobility division, providing oversight of the division’s multiple workforce development programs, plus quality and training staff. Just over a decade ago, Charlotte-Mecklenburg ranked last (50th of the 50 largest U.S. cities) in the Land of Opportunity study (aka “Chetty study”) for economic mobility. The study measured the ability of children from low-income families to climb the income ladder and thrive. These leadership appointments reflect Mecklenburg County’s commitment to collaboration and innovative approaches to change the community’s trajectory for coming generations. 

2. Share Your View, Shape Our Future: The Board of County Commissioners is beginning to build its FY2026-27 budget. The first step is a joint meeting on Jan. 8 with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education to discuss priorities in education funding. Residents will have an opportunity this month to speak on the programs and services that are most important to them. The public hearing will be held at the Board’s regular meeting on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. Residents can sign up to speak or submit comments via mail or email. Following the public hearing, the Board will hold its annual budget retreat Jan. 28-30. Sign up to speak at the hearing or learn more about the budget process at Budget.MeckNC.gov. 

3. 365 Days of Clean Air: Mecklenburg County is breathing better than ever. 2025 marked the first year on record that air pollution stayed within healthy limits every day. For a decade, Mecklenburg County has met health-based air quality standards but still averaged five unhealthy air quality days each year. Unhealthy air quality days are caused by high levels of two major pollutants: ground level ozone and particle pollution. Thanks to favorable weather conditions and ongoing pollution reduction efforts, as well as limited impacts from wildfires, prescribed burns and fireworks, there were no unhealthy air quality days last year. 

4. Prove What’s Possible: It’s time for active seniors to grab their rackets, goggles and paintbrushes, and prove what’s possible at the  2026 Mecklenburg County Senior Games and SilverArts. Registration is now open for this Olympic-style competition that will run from March to May 2026. Promoting health and wellness for people ages 50 and older, Senior Games and SilverArts provide a forum to meet new people, enjoy healthy competition, be creative, and have fun. Hosted by Park and Recreation, the competitions feature more than 50 individual and team sports and arts events. Athletic events include bowling, cycling, golf, swimming, track and field events, backyard games such as cornhole, horseshoes and bocce, and racket events such as tennis, badminton and pickleball. SilverArts celebrates the creative expression of seniors through literary arts, visual arts, performing arts, heritage arts, and cheerleading. 

5. Home Sweet Home: Affordable housing is one of the top priorities among Mecklenburg County residents. Part of the County’s efforts to help seniors stay in their homes is the Critical Home Repair Program. It addresses urgent health and safety repairs for low-to moderate-income homeowners when the upkeep for their homes becomes too much for them to handle. Mecklenburg County partners with local nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region, Rebuilding Together Greater Charlotte, Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity and She Built this City. Common repairs for eligible homeowners include roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and accessibility needs. For these cost-free repairs, families make the commitment to stay in the home for five years or sell to an income-qualified buyer. 
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6. Get Fit and Stay Fit: For anyone whose New Year's resolutions include fitness goals, Park and Recreation can help. The MeckPass is a great value for gaining access to all of Mecklenburg County’s fitness and aquatics amenities:

• Recreation center fitness areas
• Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
• Ray's Splash Planet
• Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Pool
• Eastway Regional Recreation Center
• Northern Regional Recreation Center

Memberships also include discounts to select group fitness and aquatic activities. Learn about the MeckPass and sign up online or visit a recreation center to find the best options.