Top Stories for Nov. 13, 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, Nov. 13. The agenda is available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.
1. Help from HOMES: The deadline is Friday, Nov. 22 for homeowners to apply for a grant that will reduce the amount of property taxes due on their home. The HOMES program, aka Helping Out Mecklenburg homeowners with Economic Support, provides up to $648 to qualifying Mecklenburg County homeowners, and more if they live in Charlotte or Davidson. So far this year, HOMES has awarded more than $3 million in funding to homeowners. New applicants and previous grant recipients are encouraged to complete and submit the easy, one-page application online, by email, or by mail. The application can be found at MeckNC.gov/4HOMES.
2. “Beyond the Bridge:” The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed November as Homelessness Awareness Month. As one of several events planned to recognize the month, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care will screen ”Beyond the Bridge,” a documentary film in which the filmmakers traveled around the U.S. in search of solutions to homelessness. The film spotlights two large cities that proved a solution to homelessness is within reach for any community. The screening will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m., at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 East 9th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
3. On the Move for Healthy Molars: Public Health has launched its mobile dental program to provide oral health screenings to preschoolers. The mobile unit has three operatories fully equipped to serve clients’ dental needs, much like at a dental office, and will be staffed by a full-time dentist and hygienist. The mobile dental unit has been in planning for more than two years, overcoming the pandemic delays and supply chain issues to finally launch this week. The unit will provide oral health care to children at childcare centers, schools, community events, and anywhere it can be parked.
4. Serving Those Who Served: Mecklenburg County Veterans Services division has been selected as the Veterans Bridge Home Janene Stewart McGee Provider of the Year. The award is presented by Veterans Bridge Home to a partner in the NCServes network that has made and received referrals to ensure that veterans and their families receive holistic, tailored, and locally delivered care. The award is named in honor of Janene Stewart McGee, the late director of Mecklenburg County Veterans Services who passed away in 2020. It was presented at the Carolina Veterans Day Festival on Saturday, Nov. 9.
5. Partnerships for Nonprofits: The deadline for nonprofits to apply for a Fiscal Year 2026 Community Service Grant is Friday, Nov. 15. Nonprofits provide an array of services that make our community a better place to live. That is why Mecklenburg County offers grants to partner with nonprofits to support County goals. To qualify for a Community Service Grant, applicants must meet several criteria: serve residents of Mecklenburg County, have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, submit financial statements, and apply under one of the County’s goal areas. The grant award funding period is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Learn more at Budget.MeckNC.gov/Grants.
6. America Recycles Day: Friday, Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day, a nationwide campaign to spotlight the importance of recycling and increase awareness of ways to reduce waste. Mecklenburg County offers many services and initiatives to make recycling and waste reduction easy for residents: free mulch and compost, paper shredding, electronics drop-off events, enhanced recycling, a Wipe Out Waste ambassador program, and much more. Visit WipeOutWaste.com to learn more about these initiatives that help reduce our impact on the environment.