Some county leaders wonder if the county budget can handle expansion while others stress the importance of access to community resources.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. โ Mecklenburg County leaders are debating whether to expand community resource centers or not as they evaluate their effectiveness.ย
The centers serve as one-stop locations where residents can access financial assistance, workforce development, food support, Medicaid and housing services.
Currently, the county operates two centers, but leaders are considering whether to build three more.
โWe are exploring options because we have a budget that is very tight,โ said Mecklenburg County Commissioner Mark Jerrell.
County leaders say the discussion focuses on whether expanding the program is the best use of resources.
โWe know there are gap areas, community resource centers are extremely important, but we want to make sure weโre getting the foot traffic and weโre optimizing what the initial intent and goals are as well,โ Jerrell said.
Data from the county shows the Valerie C. Woodard Center saw an average of 379 visitors per day during its first year. Usage declined during the pandemic but has since rebounded to about 330 people served daily.
The Ella B. Scarborough Center, which opened in 2023, is now averaging about 326 visitors per day, with numbers continuing to grow.
Still, Jerrell questioned whether expanding the number of centers is necessary.
โIs that the biggest need for the community or are two resource centers enough for today,โ Jerrell said.
Not all commissioners agree with slowing down expansion.
โI might agree with some of the comments, with eliminating additional community resource centers, but not until someone puts data in front of me that these are white elephants or are ineffective,โ At-Large Commissioner Arthur Griffin said.
Griffin stressed the importance to community resource centers (CRC) in neighborhoods, and how they contribute to public health.
โOne of the CRCโs is planning to be, to replace, the Public Health Department on Beatties Ford Road and I-85, called the Rosa Parks area,” Griffin said. “Thatโs the busiest health department in Mecklenburg County where people can access other services at the same time their children are getting their children’s immunizations.”
No decision has been made, and county leaders say discussions are ongoing as they determine next steps.
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