The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance hosted its Advocacy in Action program, welcoming Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Mecklenburg County Commission Chair George Dunlap. CLT Alliance interim President & CEO Andrea Smith moderated the conversation.
Charlotte City Council and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners recently adopted their respective FY2025 budgets. Lyles and Dunlap discussed priorities in the budgets and other policies they are working on to move the region forward.
Renovations at Bank of America Stadium continue to be a priority for the CLT Alliance.
“We all know that our stadium is about 30 years old,” Lyles said. “We know that the world has changed in terms of sports and entertainment. We know that we have an opportunity to build a reputation. For me, this is an investment in our future. That’s why I strongly support what we are doing with Tepper Sports.”
Lyles also said that Charlotte has competition from other markets for concerts and other events. Updating the stadium will help facilitate more events, which in turn will create more opportunities for small businesses around the stadium, she said.
Dunlap reminded the audience that the allowable use of the funds is limited, that they must be spent on tourism-related projects.
Lyles encouraged the business community to be heard on the proposal. She said that the public hearings and other avenues to reach city council members are all important. “Your presence and your voice will make a big difference,” she said.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the investment in Bank of America Stadium on June 24.
In addition to discussing future votes, Lyles and Dunlap also talked about recently enacted city and county budgets.
The city budget included $400 million in bonds, which will be on the ballot for voter approval in November. This includes $100 million in affordable housing.
“We will need all of you to get the bonds across the finish line,” Lyles said.
The city budget also has a focus on upgrading roads and safe driving, through the city’s Vision Zero program.
Dunlap shared that the county budget has a focus on health access, workforce development, early childhood development, and reducing racial disparities, among other priorities. He cited arts funding as an area of collaboration between the city and county.
Both leaders discussed transportation as a priority. Dunlap said there is a focus on roads and moving people around the county in the budget. He said there also has to be a focus on moving people in other modes of transportation.
Lyles agreed on the need to focus on roads and other mobility solutions so that people have options. Through the transportation investments proposed in the bonds, Lyles hopes the city and residents can identify places to be funded through the Strategic Investment Areas program, which will help redefine how traffic moves.
“The goal with transportation is creating opportunity to put people in a position to get to work,” Lyles said.
Lyles is optimistic about advancing a transportation system and working with the General Assembly to make that happen.
“If we don’t do this now, I’m not sure we’ll be able to do it later,” Lyles said about a transportation system.
Lyles also stressed the importance of major construction projects leading to local jobs.
Workforce continues to be a priority for the CLT Alliance.
Both leaders are focused on supporting small business job creators who are trying to find success in the city and county. Dunlap lauded Central Piedmont Community College for working with businesses to ensure the college is preparing students with the skills needed for the workforce.
Dunlap hopes that many of the county’s workforce programs can be scaled to help more people looking to enter the workforce.
“This community thrives on small businesses,” Dunlap said.
Closely related to workforce development is child care. Both leaders stressed the importance of ensuring the availability of affordable child care for residents. Dunlap noted that North Carolina is ranked as the best place to do business, but that we must ensure our workforce system stays strong – including with early childhood education.
During the meeting, Dunlap mentioned he is not intending to run for another term as chair of the board of commissioners. The CLT Alliance thanks him for his service and looks forward to continuing to work with him on the board.
Lyles and Dunlap remain motivated to continue progress on key items impacting the region. The CLT Alliance will continue to partner with Lyles, Dunlap, and other local and state leaders to move the region forward.
