Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - September 19, 2025 issue
he Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the local arts scene by empowering artists, organizing community events and exhibitions and acting as a backbone of the local culture and arts industry.
“Our big focus is cultural tourism, and that is really what’s always been at the crux of our two flagship grant programs, which are our CORE (Cultural Organization Resource Grants) Program and our Project Support Grant Program.
FAYETTEVILLE/CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Becomes Divine by Lady Natalia Perez
JULY UNEMPLOYMENT
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
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The creative economy in Fayetteville is a supply chain for belonging, talent and business growth! When we buy a ticket, sponsor a festival or hire a designer/artist, we aren’t just making something beautiful. We’re moving dollars through local restaurants and hotels, keeping skilled people here and signaling to new businesses and stakeholders that we are a region that builds, imagines and creates ideas.
The numbers seem to back this up. According to the latest study by Americans For the Arts, nonprofit arts and culture in Cumberland County generated $72.2 million in total economic activity, supported 1,111 jobs, delivered $44.1 million in personal income to residents and produced about $9.5 million in local, state and federal tax revenue. That’s not “nice to have”—that’s an industry.
Audiences aren’t passive, either. An average attendee here spends about $30 per event on food, shopping and other incidentals—money that flows straight to small businesses before and after curtains rise. Last year, our community logged roughly 900,000 visits to arts and culture activities. That’s real foot traffic and real customers, week in and week out.
Our cover story in this issue examines the Arts Council’s role in coordinating that energy—grants, festivals,
public art and the connective tissue that turns individual projects into a regional platform. Signature events don’t just entertain; they activate downtown and our region, introduce new audiences to local storefronts and give us shared experiences to be proud of.
The business case for the arts is even found inside one of the area’s largest employers, our local hospital. Cape Fear Valley Health has expanded supportive services like art therapy across cancer and behavioral health programs. “Treatment” here means treating the whole person; creative expression helps reduce stress, improve communication and build resilience for patients and families. Philanthropy has stepped up as well, with targeted support to extend group art therapy. That’s a blueprint for how compassion and commerce can align.
Another fast-growing lane of the creative economy is game design and development. From concept art and 3D modeling to coding and project management, game development blends the arts with advanced tech— skills that transfer into simulation, defense training, public safety and healthcare. In this issue we spotlight Emerging Technology Institute’s after-school academy in video game development, a hands-on pipeline that lets local students build playable worlds while learning teamwork,
problem-solving and production discipline. That’s not just “fun with pixels;” it’s workforce development that connects directly to regional employers—from studios to defense contractors—and to higher-ed pathways across our area.
What does this mean for business leaders? First, arts represent a talent strategy. Creative places attract and keep the people you want on your teams. Second, arts bring customer acquisition. A lively arts calendar turns casual visitors into repeat diners, shoppers and subscribers. Third, arts are health and resilience—lower turnover, better morale and stronger social ties. Those are competitive advantages.
So here’s my invitation: read the stories, meet the makers and then pick a lane to participate—sponsor a program, commission a wall, buy the ticket, fund the art class or hire the designer/artist. In a community like ours, every dollar invested in the arts returns twice: once on the balance sheet, and again in the pride you feel when you see your town come to life. See you in the audience—and in the marketplace it powers.
God bless you and yours!
>> By Stacie Borrello
Healing through art
LOCAL ART THERAPY PROGRAM HELPS PAINT A NEW PICTURE OF
HEALTHCARE AT CAPE FEAR VALLEY
Blending creativity with clinical care, art therapy offers measurable benefits for patients— and a competitive edge for hospitals.
In the often highly technical sphere of modern healthcare, Cape Fear Valley Health System has found an unexpected catalyst for both clinical and business success: art therapy.
With the support of a $15,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, the weekly art therapy program has received high patient satisfaction ratings, showing an increase in feelings of well-being.
“People feel much better after the art therapy sessions,” says Justin Vann, a recreational therapist who helps coordinate the art therapy program at Cape Fear Valley Health’s inpatient behavioral health unit.
“Art therapy helps with releasing dopamine and reducing stress levels,”
Vann explains. “It allows patients to be creative and express themselves in a way that’s not verbal, without having to have the words for it.”
For patients in behavioral health settings especially, this can be transformative. Traditional talk therapy sometimes hits barriers; art
Art therapy helps with releasing dopamine and reducing stress levels. It allows patients to be creative and express themselves in a way that’s not verbal, without having to have the words for it.”
— Justin Vann Recreational Therapist
Completed pieces from the Art Therapy Program at CFVH. Therapeutic art sessions are available for patients in the Adult Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, as well as cancer patients and their families at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center.
therapy opens alternate paths to emotional breakthroughs that support mental health, treatment compliance and even physical rehabilitation outcomes.
Vann notes that the sessions help patients “channel their inner child” and rediscover simple joys often lost during hospitalization. That sense of play and self-expression can relieve stress and foster a positive environment for healing—factors increasingly linked to faster recovery times and improved overall outcomes.
The generous support provided by the Arts Council grant reflects how community partnerships can strengthen the health systems’ service offerings as well as its brand. In competitive markets where patients have choices, Cape Fear Valley Health demonstrates a commitment to whole-person care that sets it apart.
The return on investment of the program is excellent. The program operates efficiently: weekly group sessions serve multiple patients at
once, allowing participants to attend as often as they wish while building supportive peer connections. Meanwhile, the cost-per-patient served for recreational therapy is remarkably low compared to many clinical interventions.
While the program requires minimal costs, patient satisfaction gains can translate into strengthened partnerships and community reputation. Given that Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores can shift Medicare reimbursements, this is no small achievement.
As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, Cape Fear Valley Health’s Art Therapy Program shows how local hospitals can offer more than medical treatment alone—by incorporating a whole-person view of the patient and treatment options that invite patient participation.
Art therapy and other forms of recreational therapy can create spaces where patients feel more free
to express themselves and progress on their healing journey that goes beyond charts and lab results.
For families across the region, programs like art therapy reflect Cape Fear Valley Health’s broader mission: to bring compassionate, innovative care to the community it serves. It’s a reminder that healing happens in many ways, and sometimes the simplest tools—a paintbrush, a piece of paper, a safe space to create—can make the biggest difference.
Cape Fear Valley Health cancer patients meet every Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment & CyberKnife Center on Owen Drive in Fayetteville.
For more information on the art program, call (910) 615-4626.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH
>> By Stephanie Meador
From CREATIVITY, page 1
Those are the two things that really affect the majority of people in the county. Last year, through our grant programs, we reached 379,000 people,” shared Director of Grants and Allocations Michael Houck.
CORE Grants help fund organizations who have a long standing history in the county promoting both art and arts education as well as driving the local arts economy and cultural tourism. Current CORE grantees include Cool Spring Downtown District, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Cape Fear Botanical Garden and Sweet Tea Shakespeare.
Project Support Grants are awarded to 501(c) agencies, colleges/ universities and municipal entities. Past Project Support grantees include the Gilbert Theater, Cumberland Choral Arts, Groundswell Pictures, Cumberland County Public Libraries and City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation.
In addition to funding for organizations, the Arts Council provides grants to individual artists.
“There’s this kind of duality that I see with the way that we affect the business of the arts around here. There’s the big organizational side, and then there’s the more individual artist side of it as well. There’s kind of a harmony that goes between the two of them, beyond just the grants,” shared Director of Public Relations Miles McKeller-Smith.
Individual artists can take advantage of a new initiative now being pioneered by the Arts Council. The Creative Impact Cohort is a new program aimed to help empower artists in the region.
“This is a successor to our Mini Grant Program. That was a program that we ran for about six years, and that was just a Project Support Program for projects specifically designed and led by individual artists,” explained Houck.
This new cohort-styled program offers artists up to $4,000 each to complete a project over six months. Applications just closed and the inaugural CIC will be announced in mid November. The Creative Impact Cohort offers not just funding but mentorship and networking.
“The biggest difference between the Mini Grant and the Creative Impact Cohort is that over that six month project period, we will work with these artists to mentor them, to make sure that they have everything that they need…we will
PROFILE
Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County's
Fayetteville.
have monthly standing meetings with the cohort. Hopefully the cohort ends up being emerging artists all the way through established artists, and not only is there some knowledge coming from our staff, who are all working professional artists as well as administrators, but the cohort will allow for some internal networking, so a more established artist can be nurturing a younger artist,” shared Houck.
Other opportunities for individual artists include the Artists in Schools program and the Artist Support Grants. Artists in Schools brings arts integration to Cumberland County schools at a reduced or free cost, while still ensuring the teaching artists are paid. Artist Support Grants provide funding to artists for whatever they may need to help bolster their career. Whether they need money to cover the cost of materials or to help fund training to hone their skills, Artist Support Grants are intended to empower artists to take their craft a step further.
The scope of projects that are eligible for funding is broad, and the Arts Council is eager to amplify new voices and unique initiatives that push the boundaries of what we think of as art.
“We accept all disciplines. People tend to think that we work primarily with visual artists because of our own gallery, but we are particularly interested in seeing other
underrepresented art forms get lifted up,” added Houck.
Beyond the cultural and communal value of the arts, the Arts Council’s efforts have a measurable economic impact. In 2022, the Arts Council participated in an Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) survey to gather detailed information about the local arts and culture industry.
According to the survey, the arts and culture industry generated $72.2 million in economic activity in FY2022 and generated $9.5 million in tax revenue. Additionally, arts economic activity supports 1,111 jobs, and arts and culture brought in 900,000 attendees and visitors, generating $28M in revenue.
“It’s easy to say that [the arts are] important in the sense of quality of life, in terms of arts programming and things that we want to have in the neighborhood, in the community. But I think that when we look at the numbers of what it’s actually bringing in, and how it’s helping support local governments with the tax revenue that it’s generating, as well as the jobs, I think that’s where we really begin to see beyond the intrinsic value that we have towards it, where it’s really, it’s an economic generator,” shared McKeller-Smith.
On top of funding other organizations’ projects, the Arts Council curates events in house as well.
Currently, the Arts Council team
is preparing for its largest event of the year, the International Folk Festival. Scheduled for Sept. 27, the festival celebrates the diversity found in our region. The day kicks off with the Parade of Nations at 10 a.m., followed by activities in Festival Park and closing with a performance by the Sandhills Jazz Society at 7 p.m. In addition to the festival, the council is launching a new exhibit entitled Multi-Faceted: Mixed Media & Connected Identities, on Sept. 22. Curated by Daniel Ramirez-Lamos, Multi-Faceted explores themes of identity through mixed media. The exhibit features a diverse series of works selected to create a narrative throughline and is expected to draw significant community interest. Through its grant programs, educational endeavors and community events, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County remains a driving force for creativity, economic growth and cultural enrichment. The council’s commitment to supporting both organizations and individual artists ensures that the local arts community continues to grow and thrive.
To learn more or get involved, visit the Arts Council’s website: www.theartscouncil.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ
The
offices and gallery are located at 301 Hay St. in downtown
ACHIEVERS
Cape Fear Eye Associates welcomes new provider
Cape Fear Eye is excited to welcome DR. PATRICK LE (Comprehensive Ophthalmologist) to their team of eye care professionals.
Dr. Le is trained in a broadspectrum of ocular pathology and skilled in the most effective medical and surgical techniques ranging from comprehensive eye care to delicate and complex eye surgery. His addition to the practice will enable Cape Fear Eye to better serve patients, provide additional appointment availability and continue to provide the best quality treatment to the community.
“We have the highest confidence in Dr. Le’s character and professional abilities and are certain patients will be pleased with his medical knowledge, personality and focus on providing the best medical and surgical care,” shared Cape Fear Eye Director of Marketing Cory Worrell.
Dr. Le is a graduate from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and joined the Cape Fear Eye family in August. Dr. Le is now accepting new patients.
Ralph Huff appointed to North Carolina Board of Transportation
RALPH HUFF of Cumberland County has been appointed to the North Carolina Board of Transportation by Governor Josh Stein as a representative from the 6th Transportation Division.
Ralph Huff officially joined the N.C. Board of Transportation in June 2025 after being sworn in at a N.C. Board of Transportation meeting.
Huff founded Fayetteville-based H&H Homes in 1991 and has built over 10,000 homes in the Carolinas. H&H Homes was ranked as one of the top 100 home builders in the U.S. by Builder Magazine from 2008 to 2020. Huff sold H&H Homes in 2020 and is currently CEO of Huff Family Offices, which includes land development and multifamily projects.
Huff and his wife, Linda, received the distinguished Order of the Longleaf Pine as a couple in 2015. Other business-related awards Huff has received include the Cold -
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
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well Banker “Hero of the Year Award” in 2016, and two years later he was named one of the Top 100 Influential Business Leaders by Business North Carolina.
Huff’s philanthropic efforts include a $1.5 million gift to Methodist University in Fayetteville to renovate an auditorium; a $1 million gift to the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s $20 million renovation project; $1.5 million to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden; $1 million to the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine and a $2 million commitment to build tiny homes for homeless Veterans and six single-family homes for battered women in Fayetteville.
Together, Ralph and Linda Huff have donated or pledged a total of $13 million back to the community. An active member of First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, he also led a $5 million fundraising effort at the church to build a 24,000-square foot addition in 2015.
Social Services Association awards Cumberland DSS for virtual training program partnership
The North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS) awarded the Cumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS) a statewide award for a virtual training program in partnership with the University of Utah.
The NCACDSS presented Cumberland County the 22nd Annual Innovation Award for External and/
Cumberland County Department of Social Services Director Brenda Reid Jackson (front, second from left) with members of the DSS staff at the annual Social Services Institute in Hickory, N.C. The North Carolina Association of County Directors of Social Services (NCACDSS) awarded Cumberland County the 22nd Annual Innovation Award for External and/or Non-Traditional Partnerships category for large-sized counties for “Social Work Simulation Training,” a program in partnership with the University of Utah.
or Non-Traditional Partnerships category for large-sized counties during the annual Social Services Institute (SSI) held Aug. 6 – 8 in Hickory, N.C. The award recognizes external and/or non-traditional partnerships that bring together organizations to solve complex problems that cannot be tackled solely by the local Social Services agency.
The Cumberland County DSS program “Social Work Simulation Training,” is a partnership with the University of Utah implementing cost effective, real-world virtual social work training to support staff for critical child and adult protective social work duties in the community.
Cumberland County DSS Performance Management Division Director Heike Hammer was recognized for her ability to research, seek out and form a partnership with the University of Utah. Hammer and the university partners conducted a workshop
on the virtual training at SSI, which was attended by 100 participants. The theme of the SSI was “A Century of Lighting the Way,” as the NCACDSS celebrated 100 years of the SSI.
Cumberland County DSS previously won Best Practice Awards at the SSI in 2017 and 2019 as well as a seven-year streak of consecutive awards from 2009 – 2015.
Cumberland County Schools celebrates 2026 ‘Of the Year’ educators
Cumberland County Schools (CCS) rolled out the red carpet for the Premier Professionals ‘Of the Year’ Gala, a celebration honoring the district’s most exceptional educators and school leaders.
Held at Embassy Suites–Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, the event highlighted the passion, dedication and impact of teachers, principals and assistant principals who make a difference in the lives of students each day.
“Our Premier Professionals remind us what it means to be anchored in excellence,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy in a press release. “They set the standard for teaching and leadership, showing how passion and purpose can change the outcome of a student’s life.”
2026 Principal of the Year: DR. LATREICIA ALLEN
Allen
Dr. Latreicia Allen was named the 2026 Principal of the Year, one of the district’s most prestigious honors. Dr. Allen began her CCS journey in 2013 as a teacher at William H. Owen Elementary School before moving into leadership at the school as assistant principal and later serving as the principal. She currently serves as the principal at John Griffin Middle School. She earned her Doctor of Education from Fayetteville State University in 2022.
At John Griffin Middle, Dr. Allen is known for connecting leadership responsibilities to the broader mission and vision of the school, helping staff see how their
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Le
Huff
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
efforts drive success. “As principal of John Griffin Middle School, my leadership philosophy, every child, every chance, every day, drives our commitment to instructional rigor, cultural relevance and personalized learning,” said Dr. Allen in a press release.
2026 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR: KATELYN LOVETTE
Katelyn Lovette received the distinction of 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year. She began her career in education in 2014 as a teacher at Rockfish Elementary School and now serves as assistant principal at Sunnyside Elementary. Lovette holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Averett University and a master’s degree in School Administration from UNC Pembroke.
2026 TEACHER OF THE YEAR: MANZELL SPENCER, JR.
Douglas Byrd Middle School’s Manzell Spencer, Jr. was honored as the 2026 Teacher of the Year. A creative and dedicated educator with five years of experience in the classroom, Spencer is recognized for weaving the student voice and real-world connections into his lessons.
2026 BEGINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR: AMBER AUTRY
Amber Autry, a science teacher at Cape Fear High School, earned the title of 2026 Beginning Teacher of the Year. Entering only her second year of teaching, Autry has already distinguished herself because of her clarity, energy and rapport with students.
Southern Pines Police Department announces deputy chief promotion
The Southern Pines Police Department is pleased to announce CAPTAIN ROBERT HEATON will pro -
mote to the rank of Deputy Chief. Captain Heaton is a 25-year law enforcement veteran, which includes 14 years at the Southern Pines Police Department. Captain Heaton received his Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University.
Captain Heaton is a graduate of the 294th session of the FBI National Academy, and has completed the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Supervisory Institute, Command Institute and Executive Institute.
cipal investigator) and DR. JIAZHENG YUAN , associate professor (co-principal investigator). It will incorporate research projects directly into biology courses, providing students with opportunities to work with advanced tools and methods employed by scientists in the field.
The goals include:
Captain Heaton is a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program (AOMP) through North Carolina State University.
Over the course of his career, Captain Heaton has completed numerous law enforcement certification programs which include the Criminal Investigation Certificate Program and the Tactical Training Certificate Program. He is a general instructor, driving instructor, firearms instructor, physical fitness instructor and compliance and control tactics instructor.
Captain Heaton assumed command, control and oversight of the daily operations of the administration division, patrol division, investigation division and directed patrol/special operations.
FSU faculty team awarded $393K NSF grant to advance student research in biology
A faculty team at Fayetteville State University has received a three-year, $393,641 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop new opportunities for biology students to participate in authentic research on genetic engineering and computer-based biology. The project—called the Genetic Engineering and Computational Biology (GECoB) initiative—is led by DR. TOMILOWO ABIJO , assistant professor (principal investigator), with co-leaders DR. WILLIETTA GIBSON , assistant professor (co-prin -
• Training 90% of participating students to design and conduct scientific experiments—from asking research questions to testing ideas and drawing conclusions.
• Teaching 90% of students how to use tools such as DNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, gene cloning, PCR testing, immunochemistry and computer-based modeling.
• Keeping 90% of participants motivated and engaged in their science studies, as measured by the Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) survey.
• Increasing faculty research and teaching productivity by 25–50% through greater student involvement in hands-on work.
“This grant will bring inquiry-based projects into both introductory and upper-level biology courses, giving students early exposure to real-world research and preparing them for careers in STEM,” said Dr. Abijo in a press release. “Students will gain in-demand skills such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, gene cloning, DNA sequencing and machine learning, along with their applications in biological and biomedical research. These experiences will boost readiness for graduate studies, improve competitiveness in biotechnology careers, reduce student attrition in the Department of Biological and Forensic Sciences and strengthen faculty teaching and research—ultimately enhancing the quality of biology education at FSU.”
This grant supports FSU’s mission to prepare the next generation of scientists by giving them valuable, real-world research experience in fast-growing areas of science.
Sandhills Community College welcomes new
ACHIEVERS
board members
At its August 2025 meeting held in Foundation Hall, Sandhills Community College swore in two new members, reappointed two others and honored two for their service. In addition, it was the first meeting for the new student trustee to participate at. New members included MICHAEL FREIDEL , trustee, West End, N.C., appointed by Moore County Commissioners, July 2025 and WILLIAM RICHARD MANESS , trustee, West End, N.C., appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, July 2025.
Freidel has been a resident of Seven Lakes for over five years, with his wife Bianca and their granddaughter Kayla Feliciano. During that time, he has served on numerous civic groups including the Seven Lakes Facilities Committee. Prior to retiring, Freidel spent most of his career in project management and fleet management. Some of the projects he managed include creating insurance companies in New York State, Fleet Telematics, Spend Analytics, Y2K and Fleet Management. One of the fleets he managed had over 45,000 units spread across North America. He holds a degree in accounting from Rutgers University and an MBA degree from Rowan University. He also obtained several professional certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Quality Assurance (CQA) and Data Security. Additionally, Freidel served on the WAWA Credit Union Board of Directors, Chairman of the Philadelphia Chapter of Fleet Managers, GE Fleet Services Technical Advisory Board and the Lions Flight for Sight Foundation Board.
Maness is a native of Moore County and grew up in the Robbins community. He graduated from North Moore High School and Appalachian State University. A lifelong public servant, Maness retired from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol at the rank of captain in 2014. From 2018 until 2024, he served as the chief deputy for the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Lovette
Spencer, Jr.
Autry
Abijo
Gibson Yuan
Heaton
Freidel
Maness
>> By Kate Griffin
Criminally talented
LACEY CRIME ART IS LOOKING TO USE HER SKILLS TO ADD ARTWORK ACROSS THE GREATER FAYETTEVILLE AREA
Everything looks better with a little more color. Lacey Crime Art is helping to create a more colorful community as a full time muralist business in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas.
Army Veteran, mother of four and business owner, Lacey Crime spreads creativity, color and joy doing what she loves in the community.
Self-taught, Crime painted her first mural in 2015 for her son’s bedroom, and went on to start her mural work in 2019. Since then, Crime has completed well over 200 murals, many of which can be seen around Fayetteville and the surrounding areas.
“My time in the military gave me the discipline and drive to complete jobs efficiently, no matter how tough the conditions are,” said Crime. “Before the Army, I worked in hospitality and service since I was old enough to work, and that background has been just as valuable. It taught me how to communicate clearly, build relationships and make sure every client feels taken care of. That mix of discipline and customer service has carried over into every mural project I take on.”
With 12 years of painting experience and a year at the Art Institute of Tampa under her belt, Crime has a diverse portfolio of over 200 murals, for companies, personal murals and interactive art pieces for businesses, cities and more.
“A mural can take anywhere from just a couple of hours to weeks, it really depends on the size, surface and complexity,” said Crime. “My longest project took about two weeks: a 1,000-square-foot mural on the brick exterior of the Clayton Fire Department. That wall didn’t even start until 10 feet up and went as high as 30 feet, and it was during the hottest stretch of summer, I don’t think I’ve ever hydrated more in my life!”
Crime has painted murals all over for numerous clients in the Fayetteville and surrounding areas, for big names including but not limited to Wayfair and Great Wolf Lodge. Locally, she was the artist behind the mural of the Berean Academy mascot, the artwork of Game On! Cards and Coffee, Sol’s Arcade and Taproom and more.
“It’s the small, privately owned businesses here that make all the difference. They’ve consistently given me opportunities and cheered me on as I’ve grown, and I’m really grateful for that support,” said Crime. “Even though I do a lot of work outside of Fayetteville, those local businesses have helped me stay connected to the community and reminded me how important it is to support each other.”
Crime charges $20-$40 per square foot, with a minimum project fee of $800, and the material she’s painting on, location, size, design and other aspects can impact rates. Her process starts with gauging the dimensions of the surface to be painted and working closely with her clients on making sure the design is exactly what they want. Crime offers to incorporate prep work for painting into the final cost before she works her magic.
“A smooth indoor drywall surface with nice AC blowing is going to be a lot quicker and easier than a rough brick or stucco exterior wall that’s exposed to weather on an east facing wall that gets direct sunlight. The harder the surface is to cover, the
Clockwise: Crime’s work can be found across the state. Her portfolio includes murals in Raeford on the side of local deli The Corner Cut. In Fayetteville, she has worked with a number of businesses ranging from the Dogwood Festival to incoming business Viva Tropicana.
more time and materials it takes,” said Crime.
Crime stays busy with exclusively murals as the focus of her business, keeping an accurate scope of her bandwidth and trade, sharing that she could complete about 40 murals a year, depending on project details.
“Keep supporting local art and artists. Murals and public art add so much to a city, they make spaces more inviting, bring people together and even help other businesses by drawing more foot traffic,” said Crime. “Investing in art isn’t just about making a wall look nice, it’s about building pride in the community and helping the area grow.”
Crime continues to strive for betterment in her own business experience as she moves forward.
Lacey Crime pursues what she loves, supports her family and serves her community with gorgeous, inventive pieces all at the same time.
“It’s also nice to see my work in the community where I live. When I’m out with my family and we drive past a mural I painted, it’s a cool reminder that I get to leave a mark here locally. And because Fayetteville has such a diverse mix of people and businesses, every project feels different, which keeps things interesting,” shared Crime.
To see more of Lacey Crime’s artwork, find her on social media at www. facebook.com/laceycrimeartist and her Instagram at @laceycrimeart.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LACEY CRIME ART
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From players to creators
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE’S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM TEACHES THE ART OF GAME DESIGN
The Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) is preparing local students for careers in the video game industry, as well as nurturing their creativity and their gaming hobbies with an upcoming month-long after-school program.
The goal of the program is to get students familiar with open-source game development software, as well as teach them how to find their own gaming assets that they can re-use without copyright infringement concerns, according to Jason Robinson, a software engineer at ETI.
“By the end of all the classes, they should have the knowledge to create characters and to create maps,” Robinson said. “To narrow that focus a little bit, they’ll be able to create a character that can move around in a world and have it do different things. That fundamentally is what I’m aiming for, because by the end of the class, we want to get the students to go around and share their games with each other and play around.”
ETI, a U.S. Department of Defense contractor located at 16824 State Route 211 in Red Springs, will host these sessions after school in October at the University of North Carolina Pembroke’s Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub. The organization has a collaborative work space in Red Springs, and is engaged in efforts to develop the state’s youth along career paths in different tech industries. The after-school program is part of ETI’s X8 Lab located in the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub in Pembroke, N.C.
“The X8 Lab was specifically built to teach kids how to build things, create their own things and maybe help them if they decide to get into those fields,” said Antonio Ball, ETI’s director of software development.
The first part of the program entails how to source images, music and other video game assets legally.
“We teach them about four different licensings that they can use that are free,” Robinson said. “And then we get into learning about the basics of game engines.”
Rather than going for the more complex video game engine options that serve as the foundation for the world’s biggest games, the ETI crew
will introduce students to the Godot game engine.
“That is completely free and opensource, and it runs on pretty much everything,” Robinson said. “That way you can develop games on your phone, on your computer and even on your television if you have the willpower to do that.”
Students will then import the art and music and other game assets that they legally sourced into the engine to start making their own game.
“And I’m hoping that they can use the knowledge of that and make their own games at home,” Robinson said.
The program will serve eight middle school students and eight elementary school students. The lessons from the after-school program will also be posted on YouTube for students to follow along.
“And for those that do come in already knowing about game development, during the free walking period, we can try to teach them more advanced topics,” Ball said. “We’re
going to have multiple instructors on site.”
Ball said that he hopes students will also learn skills that go beyond gaming.
“We want them to learn programming and also other skills, like talking to each other,” Ball noted.
He added that students will also learn about the different career opportunities that a game design skillset can open up.
“Video game design isn’t just Fortnite and Minecraft,” Ball said, referencing some of the most popular video games in the industry’s history. “Video game design is actually used by the military to make their training simulations too, and most people don’t think about that fact.”
Ball also said the ETI team plans to continue its after-school offerings beyond October.
“We’re going to be switching topics every month,” he added. “October is going to be game development, but then the month after maybe we’re making our own drones, and after that making our own electronics.”
Students, Ball said, should prepare by just bringing in their disposition and willingness to learn.
“Be willing to come in and be willing to be creative, that’s our whole thing,” he noted. “You only need to come prepared with that because we’re going to provide all the materials and everything for them to use. You have to come with an open mind to learn and a creativity to build your own stuff.”
ETI will host an open house at the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub on Sept. 22 and 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ball said he hopes the program can kick off on Oct. 6. The middle school group will meet on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., while the elementary school group will meet Thursday during that same time window.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
Antonio Ball ETI’s director of software development (left) and Jason Robinson, a software engineer at ETI are leading the charge in educating the next generation of video game developers.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMERGING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
The program will serve eight middle school students and eight elementary school students. Students will learn how to import the art, music and other game assets that they legally sourced to start making their own game.
CERTIFY YOUR FUTURE FSU OFFERS IT TRAINING THAT SETS YOU UP FOR SUCCESS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
In a tight job market, finding your niche and setting yourself apart from the competition is essential. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, businesses are in constant need of qualified technology professionals to assist them in advancing their own processes as well as defend their electronic systems from malware and cyber attacks.
Cyber security was once a buzzword in tech, but now it is mainstream. The new latest buzzword and trending tech is artificial intelligence. As these tech breakthroughs continue to develop, students have to be able to combat cyber attacks, to combat AI threats and ultimately be ready to fill jobs that haven’t even been created yet.
There are thousands of unfilled jobs throughout the country in IT and cyber security, and FSU is providing the necessary training to help individuals establish the knowledge and skills to fill them.
The Center for Defense and Homeland Security (CDHS) was founded in 2010 with the mission to prepare the next generation of National Security, Cybersecurity and Emergency Management workforce professionals through STEM education and training.
CDHS’s Cybersecurity Academy provides hands-on accelerated training in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. This training is available to civilians and military-affiliated persons. Military can use VA Post/911 Education Benefits or Veterans Readiness for Employment (VRE) Benefits to help fund their participation in the course.
CDHS OFFERS TWO CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR ACADEMY:
1) CERTIFICATE IN CYBER FOUNDATIONS
This program is offered three times a year and does not have any prerequisites. Classes are held in the evenings Tuesday - Friday from 6-10 p.m. and the entire course spans 33 classroom days.
2) CERTIFICATE IN CYBER SECURITY
This program is offered two times a year and participants are required to have completed CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ (the materials covered in the cyber foundations course). Classes are held in the evenings Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and the entire course spans 40 classroom days.
Registration for Cyber Foundations costs $5,850 and registration for Cyber Security costs $8,495. These fees cover tuition and books, materials (tool kits), access to the online learning management system which includes course books, homework assignments, labs and practice exams, additional study resources and exam voucher fees.
These certifications are in very high demand right now. While a degree in these fields can be beneficial, certifications are a must. They are imperative to get into the IT and cyber security workforce.
Once a student passes the certification exam, that certification is valid for three years. Some people enter the course with a background in cyber security and some take it with no IT experience whatsoever. Whether you’re looking for a career change or are eager to fast-track your training as you dive head first into the workforce, this program offers an accelerated path to highpaying work.
As students continue to thrive in these courses and enter into the workforce, the ultimate goal is to keep these highly trained individuals local. Businesses in the greater Fayetteville region are encouraged to remember these highly qualified, locally trained individuals when hiring.
The next Cyber Foundations Courses are being offered this spring beginning April 15 and lasting until July 7, and the summer term will begin July 29 and go until Oct. 17. The next Cyber Security Course will be offered May 5 – August 18. Additionally, in February of 2024, the center received VA approval to teach online and hybrid courses. For the first time ever the center is offering classes online beginning April 11.
JOHN A. BELLAMY
Executive Director and Operations Manager for CDHS, Fayetteville
State University
John Bellamy is the Executive Director and Operations Manager for the Center for Defense and Homeland Security (CDHS) at Fayetteville State University (FSU). Bellamy helped establish the CDHS Cybersecurity Academy in 2014, which provides accelerated hands-on Certification Training in the fields of IT and Cybersecurity.
Bellamy works with military officials, business and industry leaders at all levels to help provide opportunities for its graduates to fill critical jobs in the technology and cyber workforce. Prior to joining the FSU team, Bellamy served as Executive Assistant for the BRAC Regional Task Force/Fort Bragg Regional Alliance.
Future technology now
THE 2025 FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM RETURNED TO FTCC TO CONNECT AND PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO MILITARY BUYERS
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, government contractors from different branches of the technology industry joined the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), US Senator Thom Tillis and US Senator Ted Budd at Fayetteville Technical Community College to connect and strengthen the area’s warfighting ecosystem.
The fourth annual Federal Technology Symposium (FTS) brought together companies, buyers and military leaders to highlight and meet the advanced technology needs of major military commands in North Carolina, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The two day event began on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when FTS attendees were treated to a tour of the Airborne Innovation Laboratory (AIL) and the newly established Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost (JIOP), both located on Fort Bragg.
Following the tour, Rob Braun, Chief Technology Officer for the XVIII Airborne Corps was able to highlight the usefulness of both facilities for allowing soldiers to innovate the solutions to problems they come across in the field and meet the needs of service members across branches.
“We look at innovation, technology adoption, integration, all the different things that we’re trying to get after, and the DoD is trying to move faster, trying to be more agile, we just happen to have the right timing to open the facility at the right time,” shared Braun. “There’s a lot of other innovation facilities that exist within the DoD. I would argue the difference is with the Joint Innovation Outpost, it is now tied to an operational unit with ground derived operational requirements from soldiers that are the end user. So that’s the difference, in my opinion, of this facility versus other facilities that have taken place in the past.”
On the second day of the event, Wednesday, Sept. 10, the gathering included live technology demonstrations, networking opportunities, fireside chats and more.
This year’s FTS featured infor-
mation sessions such as “Army Modernization in Contact, Building Tomorrow's Force: Cultivating Talent for the Defense Industry,” and a special virtual session: “Frontline Technology Innovation: Rapid Iteration Under Fire” straight from the frontlines of Ukraine featuring Col. Vadym Sukharevski, deputy commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“It's an opportunity for them (FTS attendees) to hear about gaps that are being experienced in tactical commands and within agencies to meet the future needs of the war fighters, but we also recognize that there are some really interesting technologies being developed in North Carolina that have defense application,” shared NCMBC Executive Director Scott Dorney. “A lot of times when we have government partners come to an event, we were thinking they want to come and
Left: More than 150 people attended the 2025 Federal Technology Symposium, with government contractors ready to showcase their technology and solutions.
be able to tell industry what they plan to be buying over the next six months or the next year. We found out that our agency partners, to a large extent, want to come to North Carolina to find out ‘Where is the industry going, where is technology going?’” shared Dorney.
Technology demonstrations were provided by organizations from across the country including Texas based Ultraview and more local, TCOM out of Elizabeth City, N.C. The brand was able to speak directly to government buyers and showcase their capabilities both as a vendor and demonstrator.
“We’ve expanded our portfolio platforms to include high altitude balloon systems, as well as the Tethered UAS, the latest edition. We listen to our customers, and try to understand where requirements are going and where the mission needs to go,” shared Kurt McIntyre, director of Solutions Architecture for TCOM.
TCOM was able to demonstrate their Falcon Medium Tethered UAS drone launching off of a 6x6 Mothership vehicle brought to FTS thanks to a partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
“ ...We are very proud of our N.C.
manufactured and tested products and love to show off our unique technology. The ability to partner with RCR for a combined technology demonstration also highlighted the synergy fostered by the NCMBC and the incredible potential of N.C. manufacturing in support of National Defense as a whole,” shared Jim Catteau, site operations manager for TCOM.
Leadership with the NCMBC consider this year’s FTS a success and look forward to continuing to grow the research and development and innovation ecosystem in North Carolina.
“It’s an amazing event and I think there were at least nine federal agencies and commands there. Some of those were national, but also a local flavor,” shared Dorney. “I think we ended up with 184 people for this event, and it’s a great mix of government, military, academia, industry, local and national, and we’re focused on research and development, focused on the workforce. We cover a lot of ground in one day.”
Learn more about the NCMBC’s upcoming events, webinars, contracting opportunities and more at www.ncmbc. us.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Above: TCOM staff (pictured) partnered with Richard Childress Racing’s VP of Outside Services Mike Brown to demonstrate their Falcon Medium Tethered UAS drone launching from a 6X6 Mothership vehicle.
BIZ LEADS
Reader’s Guide
BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.
New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.
Spring Lake Agent: Eduardo Ismael Valverde Delgado
Artists wanted CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AWARDED $50,260 LSTA GRANT FOR ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Cumberland County Public Library has announced they have been awarded a $50,260 grant to launch Creative Collaborations: Artist in Residence at Cumberland County Public Library.
This new program will bring a local artist into the library for several months, creating opportunities for the community to participate in the artistic process from ideation to creation. The residency will also give local artists a much-needed platform to showcase their work, addressing the loss of public spaces for art displays since the pandemic.
“This residency will help connect our community through the power of art,” said Cumberland County Senior Branch Manager and Co-Project Manager Gracey Gordon in a press release. “We are thrilled to provide a platform for artistic voices that will inspire and engage our patrons in
This new program will bring a local artist into the library for several months, creating opportunities for the community to participate in the artistic process from ideation to creation.
County and Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc., ensuring selected artists have access to expert guidance and additional resources to expand their reach and impact.
This program was supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
TThe program will include collaboration with art educators in Cumberland County Schools, enhancing classroom curriculum and providing
students with hands-on opportunities to engage with the artist in residence.
Proposals are now being accepted through Sept. 30, 2025. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library/artist-in-residence or email creativecollaborations@cumberlandcountync.gov. meaningful ways.”
The library will also build upon strong partnerships with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland
GOVERNMENT
Fayetteville feedback needed
CITY SEEKS FEEDBACK FROM LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THROUGH SURVEY
he City of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development Department (ECD) is currently seeking feedback from local small businesses through an online survey.
ECD leadership shared that the overall goal of the survey is to put a magnifying glass on current programs offered through ECD that were established over 25 years ago.
“We hadn’t really taken a holistic look at our economic development programs. This is where the survey comes in. We want to know from businesses, what are those gaps? What are the things that we ought to be looking at? Yes, we have a facade program right now, [but] is that facade program set up in a way that makes sense for people? What we’re looking to do is to just take everything off the table and say, ‘This is what the small business community has told us is needed for growth,’” shared ECD Director Chris Cauley.
The seven question survey aims to
>> Staff Report
give each business a chance to voice their unique needs when it comes to resources, support and opportunities to grow. Input from survey responses will provide insight to help shape potential programs and initiatives, expand existing programs and address the needs of businesses in Fayetteville. The results will determine how Fayetteville ECD redistributes resources received at the local and federal levels.
“The survey is going to give us some of these ideas that may be something we’ve missed,” shared Economic Development Manager Derrick McArthur. “This is a quick survey. We don’t want you to spend an hour, this should take you five to 10 minutes tops.”
Business owners are encouraged to submit their input by Oct. 3. The small business growth and needs assessment survey can be found at FayettevilleNC. gov/ECD, along with resources and opportunities for small businesses.
