Top Stories for Nov. 19, 2025

In a heartfelt act of giving, hands are shown passing a Thanksgiving meal box overflowing with fresh vegetables, bread, and canned goods

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 Nov. 18. Its next budget and public policy meeting is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 2:30 p.m. The agenda will be available online and the meeting can be viewed on MeckTV.

1. Resolution of Support for Immigrants: The Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution affirming the constitutional protections and expressing support for our immigrant community during recent operations by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Board affirmed its responsibility—consistent with the First Amendment—to voice the concerns and needs of the community it represents. Mecklenburg County is one of the largest and most diverse counties in North Carolina, home to foreign-born residents from more than 187 countries who collectively speak over 205 languages. County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell also joined City of Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education leaders in issuing a joint statement responding to the recent activities of the federal government.

2. Services for Catherine Simmons Neighborhood: The Board received an update on a Mecklenburg County strategy to address homelessness and other ongoing health and human service issues in the neighborhood surrounding Catherine Simmons Avenue in northwest Charlotte. The goal is to confront ongoing issues that have gone unaddressed or unresolved for many years by rapidly deploying resources in high-need areas, focusing on street outreach, behavioral and mental health, immunization and testing, emergency shelter, and others. The Board last week approved nearly $1 million to fund the enhanced services for the Catherine Simmons neighborhood.

3. Emergency Medical Services: The Board received an update from Medic on a forthcoming study of emergency medical services in Mecklenburg County. The study will be conducted by Healthcare Strategists, which provides national expertise to governments on EMS, trauma, and emergency preparedness. Healthcare Strategists will conduct an evaluation of the current EMS system and funding models and make recommendations. The study was agreed upon by representatives from Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, the County’s six Towns, and Medic. The presentation also included updates on Medic staffing and the expansion of the ambulance fleet.

4. 1,000 Turkeys + Fixings: Mecklenburg County and its partners will distribute turkeys on Saturday, Nov. 22 to help families celebrate Thanksgiving. The media is invited to cover the drive-thru event from 12 – 1 p.m. at the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center, 430 Stitt Road in Charlotte. Mecklenburg County is partnering with Nourish Up and Food Lion to distribute 1,000 turkeys and other food items. Registration is closed with participants scheduled for a specific time to pick up their turkey. Priority has been given to SNAP participants with others placed on a waitlist. The turkey distribution is one of several ways Mecklenburg County government and its partners are assisting residents whose SNAP benefits may have been affected due to the federal government shutdown. 

5. National Adoption Day: Dozens of children and their families will be recognized in celebration of National Adoption Day in Mecklenburg County. This year, 89 youth have received decrees, all adopted through Mecklenburg County’s Youth and Family Services division. The celebration will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m., at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. Mecklenburg County continues to need foster and adoptive parents who are willing to make a difference in a young person’s life. Residents can learn more by visiting MeckNC.gov/KIDS or calling 704-336-KIDS (5437).

6. Hurry Up for HOMES: Friday, Nov. 21 is the last day for homeowners to apply for economic assistance grant funding through the Helping Out Mecklenburg homeowners with Economic Support program (HOMES). The HOMES program provides grants of up to $650 to eligible residents. Qualifying residents in the Town of Davidson could get an additional grant up to $534. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. The application can be found at MeckNC.gov/4HOMES. 

7. Maersk in Mecklenburg: Integrated logistics company Maersk has selected Mecklenburg County for its North American headquarters, committing to add 520 jobs to its Charlotte-based workforce. The Office of Economic Development says the project, a $16 million capital investment, will eventually expand the company’s Charlotte workforce to more than 1,300 employees. Maersk plans to hire positions in areas of logistics and supply, finance, legal, customer experience, human resources, business support and operations. Several roles will not require a college degree. The average wage is $100,962, above the MSA average.