Media Tour of LYNX Blue Line & Infrastructure Projects in the South Corridor - April 7
Staff Resource: Julie Hill, 704-336-4098 - jehill@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The second media tour of the LYNX Blue Line & Infrastructure Projects in the South Corridor is Friday, April 7, 2006 at 9:30 am. The tour will depart Davidson Street in front of the Mecklenburg Government Center and travel along the South Corridor. Sponsored by the inter-departmental communications team, the tour will include reporters, assignment editors, editorial writers and others covering the construction.
While the amount and type of construction between now and fall continues to be disruptive for many, staff is working to minimize impacts by coordinating construction and keeping people informed of work status.
Participants of the media tour will:
- See the progress on the light rail line and infrastructure projects;
- Hear what City staff is doing to minimize disruptions, maximize efficiencies and work with neighborhoods and business; and
- Receive updated project information, including schedules and timelines.
Attached is a progress report of the South Corridor that will be shared with the media during the tour.
11th Annual Neighborhood Symposium - April 22
Staff Resources: Stephanie Small, 704-336-2929 - ssmall@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Neighborhood Development is looking forward to hosting the 11th Annual Neighborhood Symposium. The Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2006 at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. The theme is "Standards of Excellence: Showcasing Model Neighborhoods." An invitation is attached.
Workshops will focus on topics that will help citizens learn how to improve their neighborhoods. They include Increasing Neighborhood Participation, Reducing Crime, Improving Community Appearance, the ABCs of Re-Zoning, Dollars and Sense Fundraising, and more. Some workshops will be led by presenters with professional expertise in the subject matter, while others will be presented by neighborhood leaders who will share secrets of their neighborhood's successes in the area. Some of the neighborhoods to be showcased include Winterfield, Grier Heights and Easthaven.
Interested persons may register online at www.charmeck.org or by calling 704-336-2061.
Information Item:
Small Business Equity Loan: Lindy's Homemade Italian Ice
Attached is a copy of a recent article published in the Charlotte Observer on March 22, 2006 about Lindy's Homemade Italian Ice. Lindy's received a $50,000 loan in 2001 and an additional $30,000 in 2002 through the City's Equity Loan Program. The City loans enabled the company to obtain $325,000 in conventional bank financing during the business's early start-up period. Both loans are currently being repaid by the company. The Observer reported in its article that the "business's projected sales for 2006 could generate sales as high as $7.5 million, 15 times the 2003 sales of $500,000". These loans enabled the business to expand operations to serve its then major contract with Harris Teeter. According to the article Lindy's Italian Ice recently contracted with Walmart and plans to add another shift that will double its workforce to 40 later this year.
