Mecklenburg County Plans to Shore Up Small Businesses Ahead of Transportation-related Development

Shop worker next to a storefront's "Open" sign.

Following voters’ approval of the referendum to fund transportation projects, Mecklenburg County is developing a plan to help small businesses benefit from public improvement project opportunities, and avoid gentrification and displacement.

The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday received a presentation from the Office of Economic Development (OED) about Project BOAST (Business Opportunity And Supportive Transit). The proposed initiative is intended to support small businesses and anti-displacement efforts amid the more than $25 billion in construction and infrastructure changes planned for the next 20-plus years.

The County’s OED team began drafting Project BOAST ahead of the referendum to proactively address community concerns about the future impacts of transportation- and infrastructure-related development on small businesses. On Nov. 4, countywide voters approved a 1% sales tax increase that will fund road and pedestrian improvements, bus system modernization and rail expansion.  

“While such investments bring growth, they can also place pressure on locally owned small businesses,” Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant said during the presentation. “As such, this initiative shall focus on mitigating business displacement, as well as connecting existing and startup businesses to the many contracting, construction and service opportunities that shall result from the future transit sales tax investments.”

“We want the community to know that we heard their voice, and that we have a plan in place to help overcome and ameliorate the issues that gave them concern,” said Roger Johnson, director of the Office of Economic Development.

The plan, still in development, has not been adopted by the Board of County Commissioners or funded. In its initial iteration, Project BOAST has five focus areas.  

Business Preservation and Anti-gentrification

  • Help small businesses stabilize by providing education on:
    • Lease negotiations
    • Accessing capital
    • Relocating closer to or further from new transit and transportation options
  • Help businesses find tenant protection resources and legal support to:
    • Negotiate long-term leases
    • Review contracts
    • Understand tenants’ rights
  • In partnership with local municipalities and agencies, advocate for preservation zones that can protect existing small businesses along transportation corridors.
  • Create a registry that promotes existing, legacy small businesses.  

Access to Contracting Opportunities

  • Support a public portal of bidding and contracting opportunities, so small businesses can participate in transportation development and construction projects, in collaboration with local municipalities and other partners.  
  • Educate small businesses on how to bid on projects and prepare for purchasing opportunities.  
  • Promote local small businesses that participate in transportation projects.  
  • Create a mentoring program with experienced contractors coaching smaller firms.  

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

  • Increase the capacity of a small business by providing the business with coaching specific to their needs, at a convenient location for them. Topics may cover:
    • Marketing strategies
    • Financial forecasting
    • Human resources
    • Using accounting software  
    • Bidding and contracting
    • Licensing
    • Compliance
  • Support training opportunities in the specific industries of construction, logistics, retail, hospitality and service.  

Customer Connections

  • Encourage residents to shop locally during and after construction.
  • Make it easy for transit riders and other customers to find neighborhood small businesses through signage.  
  • Support small business markets, pop-ups and kiosks near transit hubs.
  • Advocate for streetscape improvements in commercial districts near corridors and projects. 

Workforce and Talent Development

  • Support apprenticeships and internships that link residents and local students to employment in small businesses, in partnership with local workforce development agencies and educational institutions. 

Next Steps

Mecklenburg County will collaborate with local nonprofits, municipalities and other agencies in this early planning phase to define opportunities and roles.

The Board of County Commissioners will consider funding for Project BOAST during the budget process for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027.  

Grow Your Small Business Today

The Office of Economic Development currently offers one-on-one coaching, loans, networking opportunities, and many other services that can help eligible small businesses grow in Mecklenburg County. Visit OED’s small business webpage to learn more and find the right resources for your business.