Charlotte lacks transparency when recruiting companies, watchdog group says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte is under fire for a lack of transparency.

A Washington government watchdog group said Charlotte does not post incentives they give to recruit companies online.

Recruiting businesses to Charlotte doesn't come cheap.

Last year, the city and county gave $4.4 million in incentives to Pappas Properties, which plans to build a hotel, apartments and retail on Pearl Park in Midtown.

In 2015, Dimensional Fund advisors announced plans for an East Coast headquarters, 300 jobs and a $100 million office building and in return, received a $7 million grant.

Greg LeRoy, with the Washington watchdog group Good Jobs First, tracks incentives governments give businesses.

“We certainly want to know which companies got how many dollars, but we also want to be able to see the outcomes over time,” LeRoy said.

Councilman Kenny Smith chairs Charlotte's Governance and Accountability Committee.

He said officials disclose deals in council agendas and meeting minutes.

“The question is, can you get to it quickly if you want to find that out?” Smith said. “The answer now is ‘no,’ but I think we're working towards that, and we should work towards that.”

City officials said they are working to streamline the incentive information on Charlotte's Neighborhood & Business Services webpage.

Documents: 

• BDOP Grant
• Big Program Policy
• Brownfield Grant
• Business Corridor Matching Grant
• Facade Improvement Grant
• Midtown Pearl Park
• Security Grant Program
• Tax Increment Policy

Cox Media Group