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Sustain Charlotte Joins Coalition of Leaders to Launch Yes For Meck to Support Transportation Investments

On Wednesday, Sustain Charlotte and other community and business leaders from across Charlotte-Mecklenburg came together to launch Yes For Meck, a nonpartisan education campaign supporting the proposed 1-cent Mecklenburg County sales tax referendum to fund transportation investments across our region.

The campaign’s mission is to inform voters about the vital role this referendum plays in enhancing mobility, safety, sustainability, and economic opportunity for all who live and work here.

Our Executive Director Shannon Binns was among a number of people to speak in support of this effort to expand Charlotte’s transportation network.

“The future of Charlotte-Mecklenburg depends on the choices we make right now. We can build a transportation system that truly reflects our values of equity, sustainability, and opportunity,” he said. “This plan represents the chance to turn years of advocacy into action.”

A Strong Start for a Vital Campaign

The kickoff event drew support from civic, community, and business leaders who spoke about the importance of investing in a transportation system that keeps pace with our region’s rapid growth.

Speakers included Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles; Campaign Co-Chairs Gene Woods, CEO of AdvocateHealth, and David Longo, CEO of CBI Workforce Solutions and CLT Alliance Chair; Robyn Hamilton, CEO of the Urban League; and other community supporters.

“The Yes For Meck referendum moves our economy forward while also connecting people. This investment will help us attract and keep top talent, serve our clients more effectively, and strengthen the business ecosystem that has made Charlotte a national success story,” said Longo.

Longo also emphasized the balance of the plan:

  • 40% for road improvements

  • 20% for buses

  • 40% for rail

“This plan creates a system that serves residents and businesses across the county,” he said.

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Region

Charlotte is at a turning point. As Charlotte Regional Business Alliance CEO Robert McCutcheon noted, 157 people move to the region every day, and the population is expected to grow by more than 50% in the next two decades. Without bold investments, this growth will bring heavier congestion, decreased affordability, and reduced access to opportunity.

The proposed transportation plan, funded by the referendum, will:

  • Relieve congestion and improve safety

  • Connect residents to jobs, schools, services, and entertainment

  • Expand access to economic opportunity

  • Support more walkable, sustainable, and livable communities

“The future of Charlotte Mecklenburg depends on choices we make right now,” Shannon said at the event. “We can build a transportation system that truly reflects our values of equity, sustainability, and opportunity or we can leave too many families waiting for buses that do not come, navigating streets that are not safe, and breathing air that is not clean. At Sustain Charlotte, we believe in a future where everyone, no matter their zip code, has access to the opportunities they need to thrive. This plan takes us one giant step toward that future, and I could not be prouder to stand with all of you today as we launch this campaign.”

Voices from the Community

Community leaders underscored the urgency of seizing this opportunity.

Marlon Stover of Lions Services, which employs visually impaired community members, delivered a powerful message:

“This plan is affordable, it’s accessible, and it opens real opportunity for blind and visually impaired people in our community to thrive. … With the progress we’re making and the doors this plan can open, it truly is a wonderful time to be blind.”

East Charlotte resident and Public Transit Advisory Committee member and Sustain Charlotte supporter Juan Contreras Juarez spoke about the everyday struggles that many residents face.

“Many of us walk on roads with no sidewalks and we wait at bus stops with no shelter, and when service breaks down, everything breaks down—work, child care, appointments, and our peace of mind. This is why this campaign matters. The transportation plan in front of us will help fix what has been broken for too long.”

Why This Matters

The Yes For Meck campaign makes clear what’s at stake: our quality of life, our economic mobility, and our ability to build a future where everyone can get where they need to go safely and efficiently.

At Sustain Charlotte, we are proud to stand with this diverse coalition of leaders and residents who believe in a transportation system that supports equity, sustainability, and opportunity for all.

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