March 17. By Dave Vieser. The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $3 million grant from the American Rescue Plan for Smithville revitalization.

“There will be another round of county funding in the fall, and we look forward to meeting the requirements of that RFP too,” said Willie Jones, a leader of the Smithville Community Coalition which is behind a neighborhood rejuvenation plan that also includes affordable housing.

Indeed, SCC is still working through the Town of Cornelius review process; on Monday, the Planning Board unanimously endorsed the plan, but it must also be reviewed by several other committees as well as the Town Board.

Under the review procedure established by the Town, the plan will also be reviewed by the town’s Architectural Review Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, the Mayor’s Housing Study Committee and the Town Manager