Top Stories for Nov. 9, 2023

Porch light displaying green bulb for Operation Greenlight

Mecklenburg County provides this weekly rundown of top stories from the Board of County Commissioners meetings and from the Public Information Department’s newsroom. The Board met on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The agenda is available here or view the meeting at Watch.MeckNC.gov. The Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. 

1. Operation Green Light: Mecklenburg County asks the community to show its support of veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11, by shining a green light at home. The Charlotte skyline will also be illuminated in green in honor of Veterans Day. It’s Operation Green Light, an initiative to raise awareness of veterans’ unique challenges and showcase the resources available from Mecklenburg County Veterans Services and other local, state, and national partners. Mecklenburg County will also observe Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 10 with most offices and services closed for the day. 

2. The More You Read, the More You Know: The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library presented its annual report and a recap of 2023 to the Board of County Commissioners. Accomplishments include: 

  • 20,000 free refurbished laptops provided to adults through the MeckTech program. 
  • 291 children’s programs reaching 9,574 kids at the new Pineville library since opening in Nov. 2022. 
  • Demolition of the main library in uptown Charlotte and planning underway for a new main library in 2026. 
  • Planning underway for a new University City library to open in 2025. 
  • Programs focusing on digital literacy, student success, workforce development, and others. 

3. Five Years of Service: County Manager Dena Diorio presented Vice Chair Elaine Powell, Commissioner Mark Jerrell, and Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell with their five-year service pins. All Mecklenburg County employees who reach their five-year mark are awarded a service pin to celebrate the milestone—and County Commissioners are no exception. After their election in 2018, the three Commissioners’ tenure has spanned some of Mecklenburg County’s most challenging years as the County adjusted to operating during the pandemic.  

4. More Time for HOMES: Mecklenburg County residents have more time to apply for economic assistance through the HOMES program. The program is now open through Dec. 15. HOMES, or Helping Out Mecklenburg’s homeowners with Economic Support, is a seasonal program designed to help residents reduce the cost of annual homeownership. It provides economic assistance grants of up to $660 for qualifying homeowners. This year, the Board increased funding to reach more households and partnered with the City of Charlotte. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Learn more at MeckNC.gov/4HOMES. 

5. Beating Hearts of Char-Meck: Monday, Nov. 13 is the deadline for nonprofits to apply for a Community Service Grant. Nonprofits are the beating hearts of our community, so Mecklenburg County offers grants to organizations that can support County goals and objectives with their programs. Organizations must apply under one of four goal areas: connected community; economic opportunities; healthy community; or safe community. Learn more at Budget.MeckNC.gov/Grants.