CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Anusha Ray isn't doing homework, the 11th grader is coming up with ideas for projects in her district.
What You Need To Know
Last fall Mecklenburg County implemented a new pilot program where residents could help decide what projects the county should fund in its upcoming budget
Volunteers were selected for the program in January and have spent the last few months creating projects for the upcoming budget
Each district will be awarded $500,000 to go toward funding projects
“We hear voices of all of the residents from Mecklenburg County, and with all of those voices that really helps us decide what’s going to be beneficial to the people here," she said.
In January Ray signed up as a volunteer for Mecklenburg County's new participatory budgeting program.
Last December Spectrum News One shared how the county was implementing this pilot program where residents could help decide what projects the county should fund in its upcoming budget.
Ray and other volunteers in her area have spent the last few months focusing on projects that would improve District 4's parks and green spaces.
“Overall we’re just trying to make it a more pleasant space for kids to enjoy, so that they want to come outdoors more instead of spending time on their devices," she said.
Christine Edwards was hired to help the county with this program and says so far 80 volunteers have signed up, creating close to 100 project ideas for every district in the county.
“Watching people really imagine ways to improve the community here in Charlotte has really been a dream come true," she said.
Edwards says the community will vote for which projects get funded in the upcoming budget.
"For a county like Mecklenburg County with a population of over a million, those budgets are close to $2 billion," she said.
As of now, Ray's part in this process is done, but she’s glad she was able to help spark change in the city she calls home.
“I wanted to learn more about my community, and I wanted to find a way where I could give back to all these amazing people around here, and so this is the perfect opportunity for that," she said.
Edwards says each district will be awarded $500,000 to go toward funding projects.
She says they are working to get the word out so that residents can decide on each district’s final projects.
If you live in the county and want to vote you can find more information here.