Mecklenburg County gave CARES grants to delinquent taxpayers too
Not only did Mecklenburg County award low-interest loans to businesses that owed back taxes before the pandemic, the county also gave grants to delinquent taxpayers.
Author: Nate Morabito
Updated: 6:24 PM EST December 17, 2020
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — A new report found not only did Mecklenburg County award small business loans to delinquent taxpayers, but the county also gave CARES Act grants to businesses that owed back taxes, according to county records.
Economic Development Director Peter Zeiler shared the report with county commissioners Tuesday. Elected leaders requested further analysis after WCNC Charlotte's Defenders investigation identified more than a dozen Small Business Stabilization Loan Fund recipients that also owed back taxes prior to the pandemic. Tax records showed some of them owed thousands of dollars going back years. Some of the businesses quickly paid up after our story. Others are now the target of the tax collector.