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Local nonprofits ask Mocksville for operating support, including micro‑transit, Habitat, Cognition and the arts council
Summary
Four nonprofits briefed the board on recent activity and asked for operating or program support: the town’s micro‑transit operator requested $10,000 for FY26, Habitat for Humanity asked to increase prior town support from $10,000 to $15,000, Cognition requested $20,000, and the Arts Council requested $27,000 to sustain Brock programming.
Several community organizations requested municipal support during the meeting.
Paige Cuisenberry described the town micro‑transit service: a technology‑enabled, demand‑responsive system operating Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m., with three ADA‑equipped vehicles and payment options that include a $1 cash fare, a $10 weekly pass (25 rides) and a $30 monthly pass (up to 100 rides). "The fiscal year '24, the route provided 10,954 rides," she said, and requested $10,000 from the town for FY26 to leverage matching county, state and federal funds to help sustain the service.
Jesse of Habitat for Humanity reviewed two recent builds, critical home‑repair projects (13 completed since the group last spoke) and partnerships with local volunteers and funders. He thanked the board for last year’s $10,000 and asked the town to increase that support to $15,000 to help cover utilities, critical repairs and project costs.
Representatives from Cognition reported organizational restructuring, a successful challenge‑grant match that brought the organization to $150,000, and increased program activity—21 field trips with more than 1,800 children in 2024 and significant birthday‑party revenue. Candy Poplin said Cognition needs an executive director to sustain growth and asked for $20,000 from the town to support operations while the organization builds capacity.
Cindy Suggs representing the Arts Council and the Brock theater outlined audience and programming growth, rising costs for artist fees, insurance and cleaning, and stressed the economic benefits of performances that draw visitors to Mocksville. She said the council has historically received about $27,000 from the town and requested the same level going forward to continue season programming and to cover artists’ deposits and operating costs.
Board members asked clarifying questions about scheduling lead times for transit reservations, the use of prior town funds by Habitat, Cognition’s programming plans and the arts council’s budget pressures. No final funding decisions were made at the meeting; those requests will be considered in the town’s upcoming budget discussions.
