Adams Announces more than $500 Million in Federal Grants to Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
During the 116th Congress, $527,612,699 came to NC-12; Almost half a billion dollars awarded in 2020
CHARLOTTE – Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) announced that over $500 million in federal grants was awarded to North Carolina's 12th Congressional District during the 116th Congress (January 3, 2019 through January 3, 2021).
"This has been a devastating year for the country, for our state and for North Carolina's 12th Congressional District," said Congresswoman Adams."We've seen unprecedented numbers of people applying for unemployment. Families are struggling with rent and mortgage payments and are facing eviction. Hunger and food insecurity, which were already significant issues for our district, continue to drive folks to food banks. Small businesses are closing as the entertainment and hospitality industries try to stay afloat. Worst of all, our hearts are broken for everyone we've lost."
"Because of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked diligently to secure $527 million in federal funds for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, including over $388 million in COVID-19 relief," continued Adams. "These funds supported expanded coronavirus testing; health care related services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals; rental assistance; enhanced food benefits; infrastructure; emergency supplemental funding for Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte; homeless services support; transportation and airport operations; emergency protective equipment and so much more. This critical funding saved jobs and livelihoods when we needed it most, but there is still so much more to do."
A full list of federal grants awarded within the 12th Congressional District is available here.
Congresswoman Adams' district work has included:
- Advocating for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Priorities during the first weeks of the Pandemic
- Hosting a COVID-19 Tele Town Hall in the early days of the Pandemic
- Working with local elected officials and Republican Members of Congress to secure federal disaster funding for North Carolina
- Supporting the CARES Act COVID-19 relief package, which brought billions of dollars in federal assistance to North Carolina
- Fighting to keep Charlotte's airline jobs
- Hosting a "Doing Business During COVID-19" informational program for small businesses
- Supporting emergency aid for North Carolina families and small businesses
- Challenging the other members of the North Carolina delegation to support COVID-19 relief
- Supporting Adams Hunger Initiative partners in the fight against food insecurity
- Writing an op-ed in the Charlotte Observer laying out her vision for criminal justice reform
- Working to support public transportation in Charlotte
- Hosting the Fifth Annual Women's Symposium
- Organizing local supporters, postal workers, and letter carriers to stand up to sabotage at USPS
- In response to law enforcement actions in Charlotte, passing legislation to prohibit the purchase of chemical agents
- Holding the Congressional Art Competition
- Standing up for local members of the National Guard
- Holding numerous community engagement events
- Supporting her military service academy nominees
- Hosting events in support of the 2020 Census
- Working in Congress to pass COVID-19 relief for local and state governments
- Hosting a Diversity in Tech summit
- Honoring local legend Sarah Stevenson on the House floor
- Hosting a military service academy day for prospective students
- Fighting for a complete census count in Charlotte
- Hosting a virtual event on voting in 2020
- Hosting a virtual HBCU Day event for future, current, and former students
- Hosting a holiday resource fair for families in need
- Renaming a Charlotte post office for civil rights legend Julius Chambers
- Being named Charlotte's Best Politician
- Holding the 2020 Congressional App Challenge
- Hosting a virtual Carolina Coffee Open House
"Our 12th Congressional District office is the frontline contact for constituents that have issues concerning federal agencies," said Phanalphie Rhue, district director. "Our One Meck staff is committed to helping constituents. We work hard to make sure that our neighbors are treated fairly and that they receive a timely response, and we are always happy when we can help constituents retrieve funds from federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Defense Finance Accounting Services."
"During the 116th Congress we secured $559,595.44 in retroactive payments to constituents," continued Rhue. "This year, the District Office of Congresswoman Alma Adams hosted virtual town halls, forums, roundtables and resource fairs to inform, educate and engage with citizens of the District. A survey of constituents indicated that these activities are needed and are helpful. During the 116th Congress, we hosted 30 community events, with over 17,000 attendees. We will continue to provide relevant activities, in addition to our Constituent Services, in order to meet constituent needs in the 117th Congress."
Congresswoman Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte) and serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture. Additionally, she serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Education & Labor Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.