Lately at MCBT - June 2026
This June marks ten years of Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) serving communities across Mercer County. What began as a grassroots effort focused on strengthening local communities has grown into an organization that supports housing stability, workforce development, economic growth, literacy initiatives, downtown revitalization, transportation solutions, and more. While our work often takes many different forms, the heart of it has remained the same over the past decade: helping connect people, resources, and opportunities in ways that strengthen Mercer County for the long term.
Over the past several months, we’ve continued working alongside residents, businesses, and community partners to support the systems that help our communities thrive. In May alone, we received five new housing intake requests from residents working to remain housed locally. Thanks to support from the First Baptist Church - Deacon Fund and Mercer County Better Together, assistance provided this month helped stabilize housing for five residents. So far this year, we’ve received 44 emergency housing requests and have been able to assist 21 households across the county.
We’ve also spent time supporting local economic development efforts behind the scenes. Recently, we assisted a local business with an application for the Local Food Infrastructure Grant (LFIG). Through that process, we gained a deeper understanding of both the business and its long-term goals for serving the community. If awarded, the project could have a meaningful local impact.
Workforce support continues to be an important part of what we do as well. This spring brought a steady flow of job seekers through our doors. Along with one-on-one resume and application assistance, our Program Director/Career Navigator, Darren Winsor, also presented a resume workshop for students participating in the American Job Center: Mercer County Youth Program. One local resident started a new job just days after submitting an application with our help; a reminder that sometimes practical support at the right moment can make a real difference.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch our summer “Reading Is A Gift” Readathon fundraiser benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Mercer County. Several local libraries have already stepped forward to help promote the effort and serve as community hubs for young readers and families who will seek out donations for pages read. Supporting literacy at an early age is one of the many ways we invest in the future of Mercer County.
We’ve also continued expanding our official website development services branch. Most recently, our Creative Director, Tara McFarland, met with a local township government to discuss transparency and communication needs and will soon be breaking digital ground on a website designed to better connect their residents with local information and resources.
At its core, much of our work happens quietly, in conversations, applications, workshops, partnerships, and moments of support that may never make headlines. But together, those moments continue building a stronger, more connected Mercer County. As we celebrate ten years of MCBT, we’re grateful to everyone who has partnered with us, believed in our mission, or simply supported their neighbors along the way. Community work is never done alone, and we are glad to have you here and in The Loop.
