Down Ballot Staff Reports

Need internet access at home? The City of Durham and Durham County are teaming up to give low-income residents 600 MiFi hotspots with free internet service for a limited time.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the new MiFi Distribution Program will provide eligible households with internet-enabled devices and reliable connectivity to help with schoolwork, job searches, healthcare, and more.

The program is part of the City’s broader digital inclusion efforts, which focus on removing barriers that keep people from accessing and using technology. This latest initiative is funded with $211,000 in ARPA funds, including a contract with Verizon Wireless to supply MiFi hotspots and internet service.

Apply

The application survey is open now in English and Spanish through November 2025, or until funds run out. Devices will be distributed starting September 2025.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Live in a low-income household or participate in certain income-based assistance programs
• Be at least 18 years old
• Provide photo ID and proof of eligibility

More information about the program can be found here.

Free Cleanup Week at the Brunswick County Landfill will take place September 22-27, 2025

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The next Free Cleanup Week at the Brunswick County Landfill will take place September 22 through 27, 2025.

Brunswick County property owners and residents can dispose of all materials, except for regular household trash and hazardous waste, free of charge during Free Cleanup Week.

Individuals can dispose of metal, tires, electronics, latex paint, clothing, shoes, used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, gasoline, fluorescent bulbs, used cooking oil, smoke detectors, household batteries, and yard debris in their designated area at the Landfill during this week.

Participants must show proof of Brunswick County property ownership or residency.

Businesses and commercial vehicles will be charged normal tipping fees.

Brunswick County accepts various items at the Brunswick County Landfill year-round at no charge to Brunswick County property owners and residents. See a full list of accepted items on the Accepted Items and Tipping Fees webpage.

For questions, contact Brunswick County Operation Services at 910.253.2520 or via email.

Location

Brunswick County Landfill
172 Landfill Road NE
Bolivia, NC 28422

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Department  of Community Resources awards over $1 Million in economic assistance grants through HOMES Program

Mecklenburg County’s HOMES (Helping Out Mecklenburg’s homeowners with Economic Support) program provides economic assistance grants of up to $650 to qualifying Mecklenburg County homeowners. Residents within the Town of Davidson could qualify for an additional grant of up to $534.

Since opening the application period on July 1, nearly 2,000 homeowners have been awarded economic assistance grants and funds are still available through Nov. 21, 2025.

For information regarding qualifications and the application process, please visit MeckNC.gov/4HOMES, email 4Homes@MeckNC.gov, or call 980-314-4663.