Celebrate Small Business Month with Mecklenburg County

Baker cutting brownies at the counter of a commercial kitchen

May is Small Business Month, and Mecklenburg County is uplifting the entrepreneurs and small businesses that make up the backbone of the local economy.  

Several opportunities are coming up in May to celebrate, support and grow local small businesses. For more information on how Mecklenburg County helps small businesses, visit the Office of Economic Development website at OED.MeckNC.gov.  

Small Business Support Coming to a Town Near You

Mecklenburg County is bringing its free small business support services to Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville – meeting current and prospective business owners, and their needs, where they are.

Office of Economic Development staff will host “Township Connections” events across Mecklenburg County in May and June. These meet and greets will connect people who are starting or growing a small-to-midsize business with free County resources including:  

Township Connections in North Mecklenburg

Business owners and community members in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville are invited to learn about County services on May 8 at the Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave. in Cornelius, from 2-4:30 p.m. Register in advance on Eventbrite.

Township Connections in Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville  

Entrepreneurs in the southern towns are invited to attend the Township Connections presentation nearest them. Attendees are encouraged to come for the duration of the presentation:  

  • Matthews: June 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Lane in Matthews. Hosted in partnership with the Matthews Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Matthews. Registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
  • Mint Hill: June 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, 7500 Olde Sycamore Drive in Charlotte. Hosted in partnership with the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Mint Hill. Registration is required. Breakfast will be provided.
  • Pineville: June 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pineville branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, 505 Main St., Suite 100, in Pineville. Hosted in partnership with the Pineville NC Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Pineville. Registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

Get Trained in Government and Private Contracting

Apply to join the fall 2024 cohort of the Business LaunchPad program. Business LaunchPad helps minority-owned and woman-owned small businesses in Mecklenburg County succeed in government and private contracting.  

Upon graduating from the five-month program, business owners will be equipped in capability statement writing, proposal writing, qualifying for certifications, and contract compliance.

Participants must meet eligibility requirements. Learn more and apply today.  

What’s Next for Your Business?

For business owners who already have customers and are generating revenue, but wish to move to the next level, the What’s Next Seminar Series is here to help. This six-part series of virtual lectures and discussions kicks off in May. Each session will take place from 6-8 p.m. Register for the series on Eventbrite.  

Johnson C. Smith University is partnering with Mecklenburg County and will facilitate conversations about:  

  • May 7: Scaling Sales and Marketing
      
  • May 14: Scaling Operations
     
  • May 16: Funding for Growth
     
  • May 21: Hiring for the Long Haul
     
  • May 23: Tales of Growth 
     
  • May 30: Planning for Growth