Charlotte, NC – Dec. 1, 2015 – In the spirit of the season, Bissell has made a significant contribution of more than $36,000 to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. With the gift, the South County Regional Library, near Ballantyne Corporate Park, will transform its underutilized patio into an interactive learning space and community garden for local residents to enjoy.

“To honor our tenants and customers in Ballantyne Corporate Park during this holiday season, we are happy to contribute to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation for the creation of an experimental and enriching space to be enjoyed for years to come,” said Smoky Bissell, Chairman of Bissell. “Investing in our youth and advancing the community in which we work are valued priorities for Bissell.”

The new space will include vegetable and butterfly gardens, planting tables and watering trays, and hands-on activities to encourage learning about the environment. The renovated space is intended to serve as a learning lab for children and families, teaching about plants, gardening, environmental sustainability, beneficial insects, and more.

“This gift will enable South County Regional Library to bring new energy to a space that has unlimited potential to cultivate learning and spark imagination for children and adults alike,” said Lee Keesler, Chief Executive Officer of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “This gift will help build a stronger future for our community.”

The project will be completed in early spring 2016.

About Bissell

The Bissell Companies Inc. is a real estate firm that offers a complete approach to fulfilling office and hotel needs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1964, Bissell is widely recognized as a principal developer of Ballantyne Corporate Park and SouthPark – two of the Southeast’s largest and most successful mixed use communities. Bissell specializes in commercial development and leasing, property services and hospitality.

About the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving a community of over one million citizens in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Through 20 locations, targeted outreach and online, the Library delivers exceptional services and programs, with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas. For more information, visit cmlibrary.org

About the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation was established as a supporting organization in partnership with Foundation For The Carolinas. The Library Foundation exists to help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library create a community where reading, learning, and imagination thrive. Created in 2012 as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, the Foundation supports the Library’s programs and services through advocacy, fundraising and building relationships with others who share a passion for the Library’s work. The Library Foundation supports library services, expands the Library’s print and electronic collections, enhances programming for all ages, and strives to grow an endowment to prepare for the future needs of our Library system.