Written by Rachelle Hernandez, College Intern

We offer more than meets the eye in Mecklenburg County. While I absolutely love our wonderful parks and recreation centers, the County also provides valuable services and assistance to meet the needs of more than 1.2 million residents.

Here are five things I bet you didn’t know the County does: 

1. We Build Up Small Businesses

Table with a blue tablecloth displaying Mecklenburg County and the seal. There are various documents, booklets and giveway items on top.

This one is for all the hustlers and entrepreneurs. The Office of Economic Development’s Small Business Consulting is a one-stop shop to connect you to resources available in the county, Charlotte region and North Carolina. But it doesn’t stop there! Get additional support with QuickBooks training, top-notch marketing strategies, handling insurance and more. Best of all, you don’t need to have started your business to get help.  

2. We Run Amazing Libraries

Flaunt the membership card of the most inclusive place in town, the library! It’s not just books flying off the shelves. From language learning resources, career development services, book club kits, to access to your favorite magazines and newspapers, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries really do have it all. With so many services and events for grown ups and littles, get the card that unlocks what you want and need. 

Inside view of the Non-Fiction section of a library

3. We Work with Volunteers

People in bright yellow safety vests with sticks to collect trash surrounded by a white tent listening to the leader

The Solid Waste and Recycling division is dedicated to making sure trash doesn’t end up in the wrong place. Part of this work includes the Wipe Out Waste Residential Ambassador Program, which aims to educate and connect residents on the importance of recycling. It also includes Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, focusing on litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification through litter clean up and planting trees. 

Volunteer opportunities don’t stop there, though! Storm Water Services hosts events every month. There are also additional opportunities to help maintain parks and serve at community events with Park and Recreation.

4. We Fight Food Insecurity

Access to fresh and healthy food to communities in food deserts is a Public Health priority. This work includes community gardens with the Edible Landscape program, partnerships with local markets to bring refrigerators for fresh fruits and vegetables and making SNAP dollars go even farther at local farmer’s markets. Get help accessing fresh food near your home. 

People planting in a raised garden bed outside

5. We Offer Financial Assistance

View of brick townhomes with the Charlotte city skyline in the background

Our Department of Community Resources offers assistance for eligible residents in need of some extra help. Our HOMES program provides qualified homeowners with grant funding for their tax bill.

From December to March, we help families stay warm with our federal low-income energy assistance program. This program provides qualified residents a one-time direct vendor payment for home heating needs. Our emergency assistance program provides aid to eligible residents struggling to pay for key needs such as housing and medication. 

These are just a handful of the important things we offer every day to meet the unique needs of County residents, visitors and businesses. Learn more about everything we do, and how you can get involved on our website, by following us on social media and subscribing to the Mecklenburg County engagement portal!