Top Stories for May 28, 2025

Freedom Summer Series. Jazz at Freedom Park, This one is Freeport Jazz opening for Nick Colionne. This is Nick Colionne performing.

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’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Building a Budget: The Board of County Commissioners will conduct a straw vote session on Mecklenburg County’s FY2026 budget on Thursday, May 29. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Valerie C. Woodard Conference Center, 3205 Freedom Dr. in Charlotte. The Board is scheduled to adopt a budget on June 3 with the FY2026 budget taking effect July 1, 2025. All meetings will be streamed live and recorded at Watch.MeckNC.gov. View the recommended budget and learn more at Budget.MeckNC.gov.   

2. New Companies = 500+ New Jobs: Two companies are putting down new roots in Mecklenburg County, bringing more than 500 jobs combined.

  • Daimler Truck Financial Services USA LLC (DTFS), a finance provider for Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), selected the Ballantyne area for the location of its North American headquarters, creating 276 jobs and investing more than $7 million. Jobs will encompass executive leadership, management, finance planning, finance operations, information technology, sales and human resources, with an average salary of nearly $134,000.
  • AVL Manufacturing will open its first U.S.-based mobile machine manufacturing plant in the Steele Creek area, creating more than 325 new jobs and investing more than $56 million. Canadian-based AVL specializes in the manufacture of custom industrial enclosures for large format standby power generators. Jobs include production, electricians, service technicians and management with an average salary of $76,052.

3. Telling Mecklenburg County’s Story: Suzette Rhee Nedrich has been appointed as the new director of Mecklenburg County’s Public Information Department. Public Information is responsible for providing news and information that keeps residents and employees informed about County initiatives, policies, programs, services and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. Nedrich has served as a public information officer for the County since 2022. Previously, Nedrich had a long career as a local television reporter, anchor and producer, working with stations in North Carolina and Virginia. She has also worked in corporate communications and media training.

4. Apply Now for a Property Tax Exemption: The deadline is approaching for residents who think they qualify for a break on their property taxes. Most applications must be submitted by June 1. North Carolina and Mecklenburg County offer several relief programs for residents and businesses. Qualifying residents might include senior citizens on a fixed income, a disabled resident unable to work, or a veteran living in a home adapted for their needs. The application period is now open so the relief will apply to a resident’s 2025 tax bill. After tax rates are determined by City, County, and Town elected boards, property tax bills are mailed in July. Learn more at CAO.MeckNC.gov. 

5. Sundown Sounds! Turn up the volume this summer! The Sundown Sounds Music Series is set to bring the beat to three Park and Recreation locations on select nights from June through August. This free, family-friendly concert series is your ticket to an unforgettable summer of music, food and fun under the stars. From high-energy rock to smooth soul and everything in between, each show features top-notch live performances that will have you dancing on the lawn. Concerts will be hosted at Eastway Regional Recreation Center, Pearl Street Park and Ramsey Creek Beach. Music begins at 7:30 p.m. each night. Check out the full list of bands and locations.