{"id":231375,"date":"2026-01-26T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T00:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/?p=231375"},"modified":"2026-02-07T10:52:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T02:52:58","slug":"charlottes-corridors-of-opportunity-community-engagement-in-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/2026\/01\/26\/charlottes-corridors-of-opportunity-community-engagement-in-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlotte\u2019s Corridors of Opportunity: Community Engagement in Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"231375\" class=\"elementor elementor-231375\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9e879f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f9e879f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ee36d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6ee36d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote><p><b><i>Recognized with the Champion of Inclusive Engagement Award<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the City of Charlotte demonstrates how sustained, equity-focused engagement can shape meaningful investment in historically underinvested neighborhoods. This case study highlights how city leaders listened, adapted, and acted\u2014turning resident input into tangible projects, inclusive programs, and long-term community trust.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95d760f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"95d760f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09c2e33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"09c2e33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Community Profile<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlotte, North Carolina is located in the southern part of the state, near the border of South Carolina. As a major financial and logistics hub, Charlotte is home to several Fortune 500 companies and a growing number of technology and clean energy firms. With a population of over 897k, , it is the largest city in North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlotte is a diverse community, with over 35% of residents identifying as Black or African American, 15% as Hispanic or Latino, and nearly 17% speaking a language other than English at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>The Opportunity to Rebuild Trust Through Engagement<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The City of Charlotte launched its Corridors of Opportunity initiative to guide investment in six historically underinvested corridors and ensure residents most affected by past disinvestment could help shape what came next. Spanning diverse neighborhoods with different languages, cultures, and lived experiences, the effort required more than traditional outreach to inform long-term revitalization.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">City leaders understood that meaningful progress would depend on trust. With significant public and partner investment planned, Charlotte needed an engagement approach that consistently reached residents, reflected local priorities, and supported shared decision-making over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>From Vision to Community Engagement Strategy: How PublicInput Was Used<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To support sustained, equitable engagement across six corridors, Charlotte needed an approach that could scale, adapt, and remain accessible over time. PublicInput became the foundation for ongoing communication, feedback collection, and participation tracking across diverse communities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How the City Engaged Residents<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launched corridor-specific surveys and project pages with maps, visuals, and clear background context<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enabled residents to subscribe by corridor to receive updates relevant to their neighborhood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delivered targeted email campaigns to keep residents and stakeholders informed as plans evolved<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Designed for Accessibility<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All materials written at a sixth-grade reading level<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Content translated and culturally adapted for Spanish-speaking residents and other language groups<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Using Data to Guide Outreach<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real-time demographic dashboards tracked participation by corridor<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engagement data was used to identify gaps in representation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staff adjusted outreach strategies to better reach underrepresented communities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b95123 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b95123\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-1024x653.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-231381\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-1024x653.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-1080x689.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-1280x817.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-980x625.jpg 980w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping-480x306.jpg 480w, https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC_Equity-Mapping.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc39171 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bc39171\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2304bbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2304bbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Supporting Long-Term Implementation<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engagement data supported coordination across city departments and funding partners<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Input was collected continuously and carried forward as corridor playbooks moved into implementation<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rather than treating engagement as a one-time milestone, Charlotte used the platform as a long-term engagement infrastructure\u2014keeping community priorities visible as plans progressed from vision to on-the-ground action.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><h2><b>The Results: Building Trust and Accelerating Impact<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the right tools and strategy in place, Charlotte was able to turn community input into real-world outcomes in order to build momentum, trust, and tangible progress across all six corridors.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a just few outcomes realized following these efforts:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secured over $20 million in federal funding, including a $12M RAISE grant for the Sugar Creek Mobility Corridor<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launched the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Opportunity Hubs<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> program, supported by a $4.4M federal grant to establish workforce development and small business spaces\u2014one in each corridor<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobilized grassroots partners, with United Way distributing $3.86 million to 57 local organizations<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Used survey feedback to influence major capital decisions\u2014like the redevelopment of hotels into supportive housing in Sugar Creek<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advanced projects in tree canopy management, pedestrian safety, and e-mobility<\/span><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By centralizing efforts and leveraging real-time insights, the Charlotte team was able to demonstrate how resident input directly influenced outcomes\u2014helping rebuild trust, increase participation, and ensuring that Charlotte\u2019s growth was shaped by those living it.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><h2><b>Plan for Equity, Engage with Intention<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlotte\u2019s Corridors of Opportunity initiative shows what\u2019s possible when cities commit to long-term, inclusive engagement strategies. From securing funding to implementing on-the-ground projects, success was built on listening deeply and planning collaboratively.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your agency is tackling long-term revitalization, racial equity, or neighborhood development, consider how a centralized platform like PublicInput can amplify voices, track impact, and build trust over time. The journey begins with a conversation\u2014start yours today.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ec3ce7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ec3ce7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d577c1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"d577c1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/request-a-demo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">GET A DEMO<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recognized with the Champion of Inclusive Engagement Award, the City of Charlotte demonstrates how sustained, equity-focused engagement can shape meaningful investment in historically underinvested neighborhoods. This case study highlights how city leaders listened, adapted, and acted\u2014turning resident input into tangible projects, inclusive programs, and long-term community trust. Community Profile Charlotte, North Carolina is located in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":231371,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1512],"tags":[1791,1368,1387,1781,1702,1874,1875,1876],"class_list":["post-231375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-case-studies","tag-budget-planning","tag-city-planning","tag-community-engagement","tag-inclusive-planning","tag-public-input","tag-racial-equity","tag-revitalization","tag-strategic-planning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg",1200,628,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg",1200,628,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg",1200,628,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature-300x157.jpg",300,157,true],"large":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg",1200,628,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Charlotte-NC-Feature.jpg",1200,628,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Tricia Thomas","author_link":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/author\/triciathomas\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/category\/case-studies\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Case Studies<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Recognized with the Champion of Inclusive Engagement Award, the City of Charlotte demonstrates how sustained, equity-focused engagement can shape meaningful investment in historically underinvested neighborhoods. This case study highlights how city leaders listened, adapted, and acted\u2014turning resident input into tangible projects, inclusive programs, and long-term community trust. Community Profile Charlotte, North Carolina is located in&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=231375"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231375\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":231395,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231375\/revisions\/231395"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/231371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=231375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=231375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/publicinput.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=231375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}