INSIDE ▼ Local company stacks pancakes in grocery stores PAGE 5A Friday, May 6, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 5
thecharlotteweekly.com
@southcltweekly
NO TAX INCREASE IN BUDGET by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261 justin@cmgweekly.com charlottemediagroup.org
CHARLOTTE – City Manager Marcus Jones is recommending a record $3.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2023. Jones acknowledged this will be the first time the city’s budget has exceeded $3 billion. He said Charlotte has advanced city council priorities, such as affordable housing, corridors of opportunity, mobility, arts/culture, core services, jobs and the Charlotte 2040 plan, through well-managed government without
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We have been working to develop a budget that builds on the success of the past several years and focuses on investing in our communities as well as taking care of the people who work for and take care of our city. • Marcus Jones
property tax increases. Water, storm water and solid waste will collectively increase about $3.75 a month for the average user which equates to about $45 a year. The largest increases from last year’s $2.7 billion budget are $226 million in general bonds for capi-
tal projects and $146.6 million in enterprise capital projects for infrastructure. Jones doesn’t anticipate any property tax increases related to the next four bond cycles in part due to improved estimates on large capital projects. “We have been intentional,” Jones said of building the bud-
get. “We have been trying to get COVID behind us so that we can emerge stronger than we went in prior to COVD, but the key is we never really stopped working.” The city has taken advantage of federal ARPA funding by putting 85% of the first $70.8 million into community investments, such as housing and homelessness ($17 million), workforce and economic development ($16 million) and community vitality ($27 million). The remaining 15% went into city operations and employees. see BUDGET, Page 5A
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Live music Find listings for more than six dozen acts, 2A
CEENTA's new office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Photo courtesy of CEENTA
Wish list Make-A-Wish needs help post-pandemic, 5A Lidl points to a study from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School that observed prices on Lidl’s assortment were up to 45% lower than nearby national grocers. Photo courtesy of Lidl US
LIDL to open 10th store Muralist Artist revives farmers market sign, 5A
Giving a voice Child advocate advises healthy expression, 1B
Been there She wrote the book on motherhood, 1B
ARLINGTON, VA – Lidl US will celebrate the grand opening of its 10th store in the Charlotte area May 11 in Carmel Commons. Lidl has invested more than $13 million in the site, located at 11200 Carmel Commons Blvd. Local leaders will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony at 7:40 a.m. “The new store will bring a new high quality food option to area residents, and it will also create jobs and benefit the local economy,” Charlotte City Councilman Ed Driggs said. “ We appreciate Lidl’s continuing investment in Charlotte and welcome its presence in our south Charlotte community.” Lidl is creating more than 40 jobs with the store opening. Starting pay for all associates will be $15.50 per hour, which includes benefits. Lidl offers healthcare for full-and-part-time positions, regardless of hours worked per week. The first 100 customers in line before the ribbon cutting will receive a special gift card ranging from $5 to $100. Shoppers can enter to win a $500 Lidl gift card and take part in special giveaways. Lidl will support Weddington teen Jack Werdann in his efforts to provide notebooks to students who lack proper school supplies. To support his cause,
The new Lidl store in Carmel Commons will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 11200 Carmel Commons Blvd.
Notebook For Kids, Lidl will donate a five-notebook bundle to Charlotte nonprofit Classroom Central for every new myLidl member that sets the Carmel Commons store as their home store. Lidl sells hundreds of organic and gluten-free products, including unique specialty items, ranging from hard-to-find cheeses to authentic specialty sauces and cured meats. The Lidl Love it Guarantee features a logo that guarantees customer satisfaction. Shoppers love the product they buy or they are entitled to a refund and a replace-
ment. Lidl produce is brought in fresh each day and features more than 100 high quality fresh fruit and vegetable options at affordable prices. Lidl’s fresh bakery will offer breads, pastries and other items baked throughout the day. Lidl offers a new selection of food and non-food specials Wednesdays for a limited time to keep the shopping experience fresh. The rotating non-food selection will include fitness gear, small kitchen appliances, toys and outdoor furniture.
CEENTA opens new Pineville location PINEVILLE – Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates has officially opened its new office at 10405 Centrum Parkway for patient care. CEENTA’s former Pineville office at 10512 Park Road, Suite 200 has closed. CEENTA will continue offering eye, ENT, allergy, and hearing care in Pineville and will also open an optical shop for patients seeking glasses and contact lenses in the near future. “The town of Pineville has a rich history of adaptation and growth, from its early trading days to its agricultural and textile success to its retail expansion today,” CEENTA CEO Jag Gill said. “CEENTA has been proud to be a part of this community for many years, and as this town continues to grow, we are excited to meet the needs of our neighbors here and in the surrounding areas with a larger space and extensive services.” ENT doctors Stephen Clyne, Isaac Dingle and Douglas Villaret will provide ear, nose and throat care to adults and children. Ophthalmologists Nehali Saraiya, F. Scott Sutherland and Lee Wiley will continue to provide eye care, including routine eye exams and glaucoma management. Audiologists Shelby Greenberg and Allison Loehrke will offer hearing tests, hearing aids and other audiology care at this new office. CEENTA has nearly 150 providers in almost 20 locations. bringing specialty care to the community. In addition to otolaryngology and On the web: www.ceenta.com. • Want more business news? Catch updates on www.thecharlotteweekly. com or find us on LinkedIn (@south cltweekly)