New Charlotte City-Wide Initiative, Skilled to Build, Links Local Businesses to Opportunities Tied to Transit Investment.

From REBIC – 9/29/26

The City of Charlotte has launched Skilled to Build, a new citywide initiative that aims to equip local businesses and workers for opportunities emerging from more than $25 billion in transportation and transit investments tied to the voter-approved one-cent sales tax.

Skilled to Build was created in partnership with Charlotte Economic Development, the Office of Workforce Development, and the Contracting and Procurement Department. The initiative delivers workforce grants, small business readiness tools and training, and business engagement programs to support the city’s Mobility+ strategy.

By preparing now, local businesses can scale into large and small contracting roles and local workers can train for sustainable career pathways, expanding economic mobility across the region.

Facilitation and Technical Assistance Request for Grant (RFG)

Phase II of the Skilled to Build Small Business Readiness Program opens Tuesday, Sept. 22, with a grant opportunity for qualified organizations to facilitate the customized curriculum developed by Growmetix and provide technical assistance to participating small businesses. The application deadline is Oct. 30.

Sign up for Skilled to Build updates

Rob’s Take: As was recently reported in The Charlotte Observer, the City of Charlotte has been recognized nationally for its efforts to promote workforce development through internships and other opportunities. This appears to have been a successful endeavor measured by the 82% retention rate these programs have generated over the past eight years. Similarly, the BuildStrong Academy of Charlotte, an initiative of the Home Builders Institute (HBI) in partnership with the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte (HBAGC) offers tuition-free, hands-on training to students to pursue careers in the trades. These are the types of efforts we should be promoting and expanding if we are going to meet the needs of our growing region. Opportunities such as these lead participants to careers that allow them to avoid the burden of college debt while earning a significant salary in the process. Some, and we hope it is many, may move on to own their own businesses and employ others in the future – the definition of upward mobility.