Meck County ‘claws back’ COVID funds from local organizations
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County staff members updated the Board of Commissioners Tuesday about the status of their COVID relief money, which must all be allocated by the end of the year.
The federal government gave the county $215 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. The county decided to grant $70 million of that to local organizations.
New federal guidelines extended the timeline for those funds to be spent until Dec. 2026, but after review, the county is concerned some groups are not on pace to spend all their money. Their concerns led leaders to decide to “claw back” money from 15 of the 85 groups they granted money to.
According to a county report, only $40 million of the $70 million allocated to private groups has already been spent.
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County leaders say their decision to take back some of the granted money was to ensure sufficient time to re-obligate the money before the Dec. 2024 deadline. They said this would ensure all money gets spent by Dec. 2026.
County staff members and some commissioners said they understood why some of the groups were unable to spend all the allocated money, but Chairman George Dunlap expressed deep disappointment.
“To realize that they’ve had all of these dollars for two years and knew that they had a time limit to spend it, and those needs still exist in our community, but because they didn’t spend it we’re having to do something differently, I can tell you that I am deeply disturbed,” he said.
In total, the county will take back close to $4.5 million from 15 groups. Here’s how much the county plans to take back from each group:
UMAR: $27,140
$283,161 was originally given for them to purchase specially equipped vehicles to support adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral issues. County leaders said UMAR purchased their vans and had money left over.
PowerUP USA: $25,000
$234,277 was given to provide afterschool and summer programs focused on STEAM enrichment.
City Startup Labs: $180,000
$962,800 was given to provide comprehensive and applied workforce and entrepreneurial training to formerly incarcerated persons.
Angels & Sparrows: $400,000
$1,249,961 was initially given to expand their two-generation program and invest in a program that focuses on providing a path to livable wages and a promising future for children.
Pop’s Passion: $125,000
$400,000 was given to expand community-based afterschool programs for students who attend Burns Academy and Thomasboro Elementary.
The Academy of Goal Achievers: $125,000
$443,925 was given to support a mentoring program that provides high school students and young adults the opportunity to develop into youth leaders and prepare and successfully complete post-secondary education and career pathways.
Smart Girls HQ: $100,000
$435,800 was given to fund a STEM career education program for 5th-grade girls.
The YMCA of Greater Charlotte: $75,000
$130,292 was given to expand the Parents and Teachers program, which provides information, support, and encouragement that parents need to help promote their children’s development.
Village HeartBEAT: $283,000
$375,170 was given to expand collaborative initiatives that engage faith-based organizations to increase access to affordable, culturally relevant behavioral health services in Black communities.
Mental Health America of Central Carolinas: $115,000
$1,275,000 was given to support a mentoring program that provides high school students and young adults the opportunity to develop into youth leaders and prepare for post-secondary education and career pathways.
Grace-Mar Services: $350,000
$900,000 was given to expand the Empowering Fathers Program, which provides mental health resources to fathers who need substance abuse and trauma services.
Promise Resource Network: $1,800,000
$4,856,292 was given for the peer-run warm-line that serves as the portal for MeckHOPE and a new peer-run respite that offers a 10-day stay for those experiencing mental health crises.
Johnson C. Smith University: $150,000
$524,373 was given to expand the Black Birthing Professions program that focuses on improving maternal and child health outcomes of families of color.
The Center for Community Transitions: $350,000
$730,841 was given to expand behavioral health services for currently incarcerated women serving the final 1-3 years of their state prison sentence.
The Save Our Children Movement: $350,000
$782,320 was given to expand the afterschool and summer programs in high-need areas.
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