CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte announced the recipients of the $4.45 million Business Opportunity Hub grant as part of its Corridors of Opportunity initiative that's designed to help diverse and economically disadvantaged communities in six designated areas of Charlotte. The six areas identified by the city have different strengths and weaknesses but they share one thing: high poverty rates. Some of these locations have poverty rates around 27%, which is more than double the city's average.
"The City Council is committed to the idea that quality of life in our city is most important to everyone," Mayor Vi Lyles said Wednesday. "When we start talking about what a hub can do, that means an individual can come into the hub, they can learn how to be an entrepreneur, how to maintain a strong business and they can encourage their children to be great."
The six recipients are as follows, each representing one of Charlotte's opportunity corridors:
Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte: Albemarle/Central
LISC Charlotte: Beatties Ford/Rozzelles Ferry
Freedom Communities: Freedom/Wilkinson
The NEO Foundation: West Boulevard
She Built This City: Sugar Creek
Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas: North Graham/North Tryon
The opportunity grants will allow Charlotte-based nonprofits to continue expanding their workforce and provide help to small businesses across the city.
"She Built This City is committed to creating career pathways for women in marginalized communities in the construction industry," Sarah Cover, workforce development manager for She Built This City, said. "Up to this point, we've mainly been focused on west Charlotte but we're looking to expand to other parts of Charlotte. By having this grant, it enables us to get to the Sugar Creek corridor and it creates more opportunity for more people."
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine howf problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.