COVID-19 Update
As of 11:40 a.m., there were 134,469 cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with 1,058 deaths due to COVID-19 reported among Mecklenburg County residents.
Click
here for the latest data report. To learn about vaccination sites please click
here.
MECK Pre-K Changes 2021 Eligibility Requirements to Serve More
MECK Pre-K is still taking applications, and thanks to recent changes in eligibility requirements, many more families in Mecklenburg County will be able to benefit from free pre-kindergarten this year.
The newly enacted changes will afford MECK Pre-K the opportunity to begin enrolling children whose families fall above the 400% threshold, while still prioritizing those who fall under it. The decision to expand eligibility by eliminating income requirements was made jointly by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and Mecklenburg County.
This year's school year starts August 31 with a staggered entry schedule. The first full day will be Sept. 3. To date, MECK-Pre-K has received over 2,000 applications since March and continues to process applications. Space is limited, so families are encouraged to apply today.
For questions, please contact
info@meckprek.org.
Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners to Host Public Hearing on Proposed Street Names for the New Northeast Community Resource Center
On Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. the Board of County Commissioners will be holding a public hearing at their regular meeting to get the community's input on the three proposed street names at the site of the New Northeast Community Resource Center located at the intersection of North Tryon Street and Eastway Drive. The proposed street names include George Evans Drive, Stitt Road, and Zion-Torrence Road.
The meeting will be virtual, and speakers are required to sign up by visiting
http://mecknc.seamlessdocs.com/f/clerk or calling the County Clerks' Office at 980-314-2912, no later than noon the day of the meeting.
For more information regarding the street naming, contact Mecklenburg County Asset and Facility Management at 980-314-2520.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing & Homelessness Strategy (CMHHS) to Host Virtual Information Session on August 31
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing and Homelessness Strategy (CMHHS) invites residents to participate in a community information and feedback session, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, from noon – 1:30 p.m. The purpose of this community event is to share information about CMHHS, its draft recommendations for the 2025 strategic plan, and to provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed 2025 plan.
The 2025 CMHH is the first comprehensive effort to address housing instability and homelessness in Mecklenburg County, and it involves stakeholders from the non-profit, private, and public sector. Since its launch in April 2021, more than 250 individuals and 115 organizations have participated in CMHHS's planning and development work.
At the completion of its engagement series, CMHHS is expected to produce a comprehensive plan that will align strategic objectives, employ a common lexicon; describes clear metrics; and develop a multi-year approach to prioritized actions. To learn more about 2025 CMHH, visit:
www.charmeckhousingstrategy.com
To register for the free event please visit:
https://meck.co/2UHZYDt
Public Health's Preventive Health Division Partners with Faith Community for HIV Awareness Event in Recognition of HIV Awareness
Region 4 Prevention through Active Community Engagement (PACE) program and Mecklenburg County's Health Department will be presenting a virtual panel with faith leaders to discuss opportunities to collaborate with Faith Based Organizations (FBO) to end the HIV epidemic in Mecklenburg County.
The virtual event is scheduled to take place via zoom on Tuesday, September 7, at 12pm. Please visit:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86386374749 to register for the event.
For more information, please contact Public Health Program Coordinator, Mika Harris at
indica.harris@mecklenburgcountync.gov
County Seeks Applicants for Meck Lending (Small Business Loan Funds)
Mecklenburg County's Office of Economic Development (OED) recently made several changes to its Small Business Loan Fund, now known as Meck Lending. The series of changes will make it easier for small businesses located in Mecklenburg County to qualify and apply for loans.
Modifications to the loan requirements include the option for recipients to make interest only payments for the first 12 months at the prime rate (3.25%), and the addition of a 9-year amortization schedule.
Applicant Requirements:
- Must be located in Mecklenburg County and have annual revenue under $2 million.
- Must not have a bankruptcy filing for business and/or owner within the past 5 years,
- Must not have open tax liens, and no unpaid judgments over $1,000 (medical related exempt).
- Must also be current with their County tax obligations.
The loan program was designed to support non-standard lending features and help small business owners access capital. Loans of up to $75,000 are available to qualified small and start-up businesses through the program, which is a partnership with the Carolina Small Business Development Fund.
For additional details regarding program guidelines and loan terms or to apply, visit the
Meck Lending page on MeckNC.gov.
To find out more about OED's programs and projects please visit
oed.mecknc.gov
Funding Available for Homeless Services Organizations
The HUD CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition was released August 18, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), making $2.6 billion in competitive funding available to homeless services organizations across the country for supportive services and housing programs for people experiencing homelessness. Each of the 400+ Continuums of Care across the nation will submit one application for funding to meet community need. Consolidated applications are due Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. Click here to read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and for more information from the HUD website.
The Letter of Interest stage of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg CoC Local Application process is open now, from Monday August 23, 2021, to Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. To access the Letter of Interest Form click
here. All applicants must submit a Letter of Interest Form for each anticipated project submission.
The priority for funding made available through reallocation and/or HUD CoC Bonus funds will be: Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects, PSH or Rapid Rehousing (RRH) projects with coordination between a housing provider & a healthcare provider, PSH or RRH projects that provide housing for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness and projects from agencies that do not currently receive CoC funding.
For any questions, please contact
charmeckcoc@mecknc.gov.
News Releases:
·
BOCC Meetings Conducted Virtually Until Further Notice
·
Mecklenburg County Continues to Provide Cooling Assistance to Help Residents in Need
·
Davidson Housing Coalition Receives Mecklenburg County Grant for Innovative Program
·
As Economy Recovers, County Invites Applicants for Meck Lending
·
Mecklenburg County's COVID-19 Task Force to Host Three Additional Community Town Halls
· NCDHHS Approves County's Request to Realign with Alliance Health
·
Mecklenburg County COVID-19 Data for August 18, 2021
Click
here to view a full list of news releases.
COVID-19 Symptoms:
As the pandemic continues to have an impact on the community, click
here to view a list of COVID-19 symptoms.
COVID-19 Testing and Medical Advice:
Residents who believe they may have been exposed to the virus can contact the County's Public Health Hotline at 980-314-9400 to speak with a medical professional or for guidance on testing. Testing locations can be found
here.
What to Do If You're Feeling Sick:
Click
here for more information on what to do if you think you may have been exposed to the virus.
Frequently Asked Questions - Residents:
Click
here to view a list of the most frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.
Resources for County Employees:
Employee Rights Under Families First Coronavirus Act
On April 1, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed to help provide additional paid leave for government employees affected by COVID-19.
Click
here to learn more about the act.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
· Wednesday, Sep 1 - COVID-19 Recovery Task Force meeting, 4:30- 5:30 p.m. (Virtual)
· Thursday, Sept. 2 - BOCC Intergovernmental Relations meeting,1 - 2:30 p.m. (Virtual)
· Wednesday, Sept. 8 - BOCC Audit Review Committee, 2-3:30 p.m. (Virtual)
· Wednesday, Sept. 8 - BOCC Economic Development Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Virtual)
· Wednesday, Sept. 8 - BOCC, Regular meeting, 5:00 PM - 8:00 p.m. (Virtual)