Today is Wednesday, July 29, 2026. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
Today’s Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by VIA Health Partners, now providing primary care to patients living with serious and chronic illnesses wherever they are—at home, in a clinic, or in another health care facility. As the Carolinas' largest independent non-profit hospice and palliative care provider, we serve over 5,000 patients daily, spanning 49 counties.
Good morning! It’s Tony. Today’s Charlotte Ledger has a mix of stories we hope you find interesting and enlightening — and our slate of original articles today are all about things that are opening: a closer look at the state funding behind the Katie Blessing Center in east Charlotte, which will be the state's largest pediatric behavioral health facility when it opens next year; an update on Elon University’s law school, which opens applications for its full-time Charlotte campus in about a month; and how “Wegmaniacs” appear to be preparing for Wegmans’ Charlotte debut in October.
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North Carolina’s $35M in funding for east Charlotte’s Katie Blessing Center addresses a critical shortage of psychiatric beds. But political donations tied to its backers are drawing scrutiny.
Michael Estramonte, founder of the Katie Blessing Center, at an event in Charlotte last week. (Photo by Michelle Crouch for The Ledger/N.C. Health News)
by Michelle Crouch
Co-published with N.C. Health News
In 2020, Charlotte businessman Michael Estramonte set out to build a nonprofit treatment center to create more space for kids in mental health crisis.
The idea quickly won support from state and local lawmakers. Since 2023, the Katie Blessing Center has secured more than $40M in public money, including $35.2M from the state.
Supporters say the project’s success reflects the state’s desperate need for more psychiatric beds for kids. The 70,000 sq. ft. center, scheduled to open in 2027, will house 72 inpatient beds, a behavioral health urgent care and outpatient services, making it the state's largest pediatric behavioral health facility.
But for veteran campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall, the size and speed of the state’s investment in a private facility also raised a question: What role, if any, did campaign contributions play in winning political support for the center?
An analysis of state campaign finance records by Hall shows Estramonte and 19 of his relatives, business associates and relatives of associates contributed nearly $1M to political campaigns of state and local politicians between 2023 and 2026, which is when elected officials were considering funding for the center.
“I can count on one hand the number of people who could put together that much money,” Hall said. “Then all of a sudden, he’s getting these huge grants that others can’t get.”
Hall told The Ledger/NC Health News he filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections last week alleging some of the people listed as donors and who are connected to Estramonte may not have been the true donors — an allegation Estramonte strongly denies.
Although campaign finance complaints by law are confidential, Hall shared a redacted version with The Ledger/NC Health News, along with electronic confirmation that the board received it. It asks elections officials to investigate the possibility that some of the donations violated campaign finance laws.
After the complaint was filed, The Ledger/NC Health News reached out to donors connected to Estramonte listed in state records. Three said they made the contributions recorded under their names. Multiple others couldn’t be reached or did not return phone calls before publication.
“I know of every donation that I made, and I made those decisions on my own and with no expectations,” said Tracey Hummell, chief operating officer for Starmount Healthcare Management, Estramonte’s company. Records show she gave $88,000 to candidates between 2021 and 2024.
Estramonte: Allegation ‘not based in facts’
In written answers to questions, Estramonte said he became more active in public policy beginning in 2021 and hosted political fundraisers for candidates from both parties. He said he never made a contribution in anyone else’s name or asked anyone to contribute with an understanding that they would be reimbursed.
“Any allegation of that nature is an allegation not based in facts or evidence,” he wrote. “Any decisions to contribute were made by the individuals themselves.”
Elon Law dean says the school aims to avoid the fate of Charlotte School of Law; Elon pursuing ‘intimate’ and high-quality experience as it opens full-time law school at Queens
The dean of Elon University’s law school says Elon has learned the lessons of the failed Charlotte School of Law and is determined not to repeat them as it prepares to welcome its first full-time law students in Charlotte next year.
Speaking last week at the Rotary Club of Charlotte, Elon law dean Zak Kramer said that it makes sense for Elon to start a law school here because “there’s an unbelievable pent-up demand.”
Elon announced in January that it would open Charlotte’s only full-time law school in 2027 on the grounds of Queens University of Charlotte as the two schools merge. Despite a robust presence of law firms, Charlotte has not had a full-time law school since the Charlotte School of Law closed in 2017 amid widespread compliance and administrative problems.
‘Wegmaniacs’ already making plans for grocery store’s Charlotte debut; ‘It’s like a Grateful Dead concert or something’
Only 77 more days until Charlotte’s first Wegmans opens. Some fans are already thinking about how to be among the first in line. (Photo: Tony Mecia/The Charlotte Ledger)
The excitement is building for the opening of Charlotte’s first Wegmans grocery store, and even though the debut is more than two months away, some diehard fans are already devising plans.
Northwood Office president John Barton, whose company is the developer of the Ballantyne Reimagined project that includes Wegmans, told The Ledger in an interview last week that he continues to be astounded that “the frenzy around Wegmans just continues.”
🎧 THE CHARLOTTE LEDGER PODCAST
Nourish your brain with the latest episodes of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms:
John Short, author of The Ledger's new "Love Thy Neighborhood" series, talks to The Ledger’s Ashley Fahey about why neighborhood history matters and the surprising stories hiding around Charlotte.
What do you want to ask Pat McCrory? Here's your chance
Have a question about politics? Here's your chance to ask it live to someone who knows how it works from the inside.
Join former governor and Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory for “Unspun Unscripted” on Friday (July 31) at 10 a.m., in an online discussion moderated by The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia, in partnership with PBS Charlotte.
Viewers can ask McCrory questions directly and take part in a live, unscripted conversation that goes beyond partisan talking points with candid discussion, analysis and audience interaction.
You might also check out recent episodes of PBS Charlotte’s “Unspun,” which airs Fridays at 8 p.m. and is available afterward online:
Economy explained: Economist Joseph Von Nessen of the University of South Carolina breaks down inflation, housing costs, interest rates, jobs, retirement savings and what North Carolina's rapid growth could mean for your wallet and the state's future
Can moderates still win? A look at whether America's political center still has a place as the Carolinas head into high-stakes elections.
Building modern Charlotte: Business leader Mac Everett reflects on how collaboration, long-term planning and civic leadership helped shape modern Charlotte and what today's leaders can learn from it.
PBS Charlotte is a media partner of The Charlotte Ledger. —Tony Mecia
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 2: “Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week,” at over 120 participating metro-area restaurants. Get fancy. Have fun. Splurge smart during Queen’s Feast, as restaurants in 9 metro-area counties showcase their best with multi-course menus at special prix fixe prices. Explore menus and make reservations at CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com. $30-$55/person.
FRIDAY, JULY 31: “Community Art Market,” 5-8 p.m., at Berkshire Hathaway SouthPark, 6801 Carnegie Blvd., Suite 101. Six Charlotte painters affiliated with ArtPop Street Gallery will show and sell original work at an evening art market. Original artwork and prints will be available for purchase. Free.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1: “Guided Trail Walk,” 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S. New Hope St. Explore the beauty of Stowe’s trails alongside an educator who will highlight local wildlife and unique plants along the way. Unless otherwise disclosed, participants will meet at The Trailhead Store before heading out on the trail. Ages 12 and up. Registration required. Free.
In brief
NCDOT sweetens I-77 toll lane proposal: The North Carolina Department of Transportation is considering up to $300M in community investments tied to the project, including greenways, recreation space and two community-owned grocery stores on Charlotte’s west side. The offer could help build support among city leaders who previously opposed the $4.3B project. (WFAE)
Lawsuit challenges CMPD hemp arrest: Attorneys with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice filed a federal lawsuit on Anthony Lee’s behalf over a 2023 arrest captured in a viral video that appeared to show an officer repeatedly punching his fiancée. The suit alleges police arrested Lee without probable cause after mistaking legally purchased hemp for marijuana. (WBTV)
UNC football manager placed on leave: UNC Chapel Hill placed football general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave while investigating a human resources complaint that is also reportedly connected to interest from the College Sports Commission over potential name, image and likeness (NIL) and revenue-sharing compliance issues. Lombardi is a longtime confidant of coach Bill Belichick. (The Athletic)
Legislature considers $25M for military games: North Carolina lawmakers are considering a supplemental budget bill that would provide $25M for the 2027 Military World Games, an Olympics-like event planned next summer in Charlotte and other locations in the Carolinas. (Charlotte Business Journal, subscriber-only)
Tax bills in the mail: Mecklenburg County has begun mailing about 449,000 property tax bills, which must be paid by Jan. 5, 2027, to avoid interest. Eligible homeowners may qualify for assistance through the county's HOMES grant program. (Mecklenburg County)
Report details costs of municipal elections: A new audit by State Auditor Dave Boliek found that 2025 odd-year municipal elections cost counties about $8.4M to administer. While the report makes no policy recommendations, it could provide data to support future proposals to shift local elections to even-numbered years or make other election changes aimed at reducing costs and easing staffing challenges. (Longleaf Politics, subscriber-only)
24 Hours of Booty recap: More than 900 people from 22 states and three countries took part in the 25th edition of the Charlotte cycling and walking fundraiser. To date, the event raised more than $1.6M for cancer survivorship and patient navigation programs. (24 Foundation)
🦌 Elk hunting returns: After 25 years of rebuilding North Carolina's elk population, the state will allow its first-ever modern elk hunt in 2027, issuing just two permits through an auction and raffle. (WLOS)