Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - April 25, 2025 issue
PHOTO
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
2504 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
910-240-9697
bizfayetteville.com
PUBLISHER
Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com
SPECIAL PROJECT/EVENT MANAGER
Ellie Rhoades events@bizfayetteville.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stacie Borrello
Kate Griffin
Thomas Manning
Brian Miner
Rachel Townsend
Eddie Velazquez
CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER
Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com
ACCOUNTING billing@bizfayetteville
SALES & MARKETING marketing@bizfayetteville.com
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.
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Welcome to the 118th issue of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, or Volume 4, No. 22 as we like to call it on the front page. None of these numbers really have much relevance unless you have been there from the beginning and have an understanding of what it took and takes to go from issue 1 to 118 in less than four years.
All of us in business have our measurements, our metrics, if you will. And all of these data points help tell us a story. It’s either a story of growth and development or stagnation and decline. And it’s a dynamic story of ups and downs. Successes and failures. Wins and losses.
How we interpret the story determines so much. We definitely have some interesting stories for consideration in our area. Consider some of the recent growth and development hallmarks such as Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine coming in 2026, or the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s new facility coming soon. How about another win for Fayetteville State with the new Education Center coming in 2026, as well as our cover story about FTCC and FSU working together to bring a construction management
degree to the area. These and many others like them are signs of growth and development.
There are also important signs we should pay attention to, as well. Consider the effects of decreased federal spending and what that might mean long term for our area. What happens if the county does decide to move the performing arts investment to Eastern Boulevard instead of downtown? How will Artificial Intelligence change and shape everyone’s future? Successful business owners have to constantly make forward thinking decisions. The challenge is: how far forward should we think and plan?
I think the answer is, just do the next right thing that’s just in front of you. Certainly, make the hard decisions too, but only when you know it’s the next right thing to do. Perhaps the next right thing for you to do is to take the advancement of AI as seriously as it is. We are excited about our next Power Breakfast coming up on June 12. Applied Intelligence, The AI Revolution in Business. We have a panel of forward thinking leaders who will help us unpack AI for our businesses.
Go to www.fayettevillepowerbreakfast.com to learn more and purchase your table or ticket!
In closing, I leave you with a quote from one of my heroes from history, Sir Winston Churchill who said, “For myself I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else.”
And that is what I try to be: an optimist. We have also been careful about keeping the culture of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in that same light.
If you like what we are doing, please consider joining us by becoming a subscriber at bizfayetteville. com/subscribe. If you want to get your business seen by a very influential readership with significant buying power, email us at marketing@ bizfayetteville.com. We hope you will join us in promoting the present and future of business in the Fayetteville MSA and surrounding communities!
God bless you and yours,
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CANVA
To top it off
METHODIST UNIVERSITY CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE HOSTS TOPPING-OFF CEREMONY
On April 15, leadership of the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine gathered with the community to celebrate the topping-off ceremony for its new $60-million building. With the ceremonial “final beam” − measuring 27 feet long, 24 inches tall and weighing 1,500 pounds − covered in signatures, hoisted into place, and a celebratory helicopter flyover drawing eyes skyward, the long-anticipated vision of a medical school in Fayetteville took a major step forward.
“This medical school will raise the health of our population. We will no longer live in a ‘doctor desert.’ We will produce physicians, hopefully, many of them that come from our own community, to care for their community. Also, we know the economic impact that a medical school has…by the end of next year, there will be almost 100 people working as a part of the medical school, training almost 500 students who are learning to not only practice the scientific part of medicine, but also the art of medicine,” remarked Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Mike Nagowski during the ceremony.
“
This medical school will raise the health of our population. We will no longer live in a ‘doctor desert.’ We will produce physicians, hopefully, many of them that come from our own community, to care for their community.”
— Mike Nagowski CEO, Cape Fear Valley Health
Left: Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Mike Nagowski addresses the crowd, highlighting the impact of the future medical school on the community and local health care workforce. Right: The placement of the final beam represents a symbolic turning point in the construction of the $60-million, state-of-the-art medical school, which is set to open in 2026 pending accreditation approval from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
The building is 127,476 square feet and construction required 1,000 tons of steel and 3,700 cubic yards of concrete. The new medical school will have five floors with 200 rooms and a courtyard with outdoor seating. The facade is already going up on the building. That should be completed by the end of May.
“We are going to have a state of the art virtual anatomy lab, [and a] state of the art standardized patient lab. When students come through our door, they’re going to see technology like they’ve never seen it before,” shared Dean of the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine Dr. Hershey Bell.
The first class is set to step foot inside the building in July 2026. This inaugural class will feature 64 students. Once the school reaches full enrollment, classes will include 120 students.
“Our mission at Methodist University has always been rooted in service, and we’ve been deeply involved in healthcare education for more than 25 years through programs like Physician Assistant Studies, Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy and
more,” said Dr. Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University.
“The School of Medicine is the next logical step − one that raises our visibility and elevates us to a new level as an institution.”
The startup cost for a medical school is $130 million. Thanks to philanthropic gifts, grants, in-kind contributions of MU and CFVH and other funding sources, Dr. Hershey Bell reported that every dollar of that cost is already accounted for.
The new medical school in Fayetteville will make a difference not just in health and health education, but in the entire economic community
So far, 31 people have been hired as part of the leadership team, faculty and staff at the new medical school. By July 2025 they will have hired 70 people, and by 2027 they will have hired 100 people. Over 150 Cape Fear Valley Health physicians have already been enrolled as part of the clinical faculty. They expect that number to grow to over 400 physicians on faculty.
“When I think about the mission of the medical school, there are six elements, and to me, three of them
are outward facing, and three of them are result oriented. The three outward facing elements are that we are socially accountable, community engaged and equity focused...Our three result oriented elements are that our graduates will be evidence based, compassionate physician leaders who will end health disparities in our community and wherever they choose to practice. This building was designed to enable all six elements of our mission and allow us to express them through how we teach, how we embrace the community and how we ensure that health care will continuously improve because of our presence,” shared Dr. Bell.
In May, the new school will undergo a site visit from the national accreditors, where the decision will be made on the accreditation of the institution as the nation’s newest MD medical school. The announcement from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) will be made in October.
Stay up to date with the progress on the school of medicine at methodist.edu/ medicine.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MU AND GFBJ
>> By Faith Hatton
From TOGETHER, page 1
In a private meeting held on Fayetteville State University’s campus on Monday, April 7, FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison shared that the program, which began with a casual conversation with leadership from Fayetteville Technical Community College, is now a multi-tiered partnership to bring classroom and hands-on education to students from both institutions.
“I wanted to make sure that when we picked this back up, that we would not go into our silo and work from a position that we were building it on our own. I wanted to make sure that we had some conversation with FTCC, so that when we constructed [this] we were really partnering and tailoring it well. Then, magic started to happen,” said Allison.
The partnership allows a pipeline for students who get their start at FTCC with an Associate Degree in Construction Management, to be able to transfer to FSU due to an articulation agreement in place to allow for a Bachelor of Science degree transfer to FSU.
These students will have already put in the preliminary work for their degree at FTCC with their Building Construction Technology curriculum which is designed to prepare students with skills needed for careers in architecture, construction, construction management and more.
FSU will then provide transfers to students utilizing connections such as the FTCC KEEN Scholarship, which was created specifically to help FTCC students in high demand work-force majors transfer seamlessly to Fayetteville State University.
“This is really exciting for our students. It is very true that our students need this opportunity at Fayetteville Tech. Many of our students do pursue a bachelor's degree in construction management, but there's not something here (at FTCC) available. And I said from the very beginning to Dean Taylor that I know our students would choose Fayetteville State if they had that option, simply because it's convenient, it's part of their hometown and many of them take so much pride in that workforce,” said Dr. Pamela Gibson, dean of Engineering & Applied Technology at FTCC. “Post-secondary education is so important to workforce development; we have to create these pathways.”
The two institutions are partnering not only with each other, but with Metcon Buildings & Infrastruc-
BUSINESS EDUCATION
ture and Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, the City of Fayetteville and the Cumberland County government.
Metcon Buildings & Infrastructure, headquartered in Pembroke, NC, will be providing a hands-on learning portion to the students, offering paid internship opportunities during their time at FTCC and later organizing capstone projects after they transfer to FSU.
They have also partnered to provide guest lectures from Metcon professionals and collaborate with all parties to organize workforce development programs, hold job fairs and recruitment events and participate in career readiness workshops.
“When we first met with Dean Taylor roughly a year ago, I think ‘over the moon’ was the way we could describe the opportunity to be involved to make sure that we can get good quality employees here in the Sandhills,” said Ryan Parker, project executive at Metcon. “It's a shortage that we deal with all the time. We just can't fill the void. Moving forward, time, money, whatever you need, we're here for you, and we appreciate it.”
Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity (FAHFH) will also be partnering to provide hands-on classroom settings to students who will help them build houses that will
be given to members of the community. According to FAHFH President Brandon Price, current student involvement from FTCC students working on their sites saves the organization between $30,000- $40,000 dollars. He also spoke about the importance of replacing the aging workforce.
“The average age of somebody in the trades is greater than 55 right now. So what happens in 20 years when there is no one doing that,” said Price. “We've been fortunate enough to have an affordable housing initiative to pull people into. We will look forward to being a classroom of sorts, in terms of helping families find affordable housing, but also utilizing with the community partnerships in order to get that done so we can pass that savings on to the families.”
This higher level of education is also expected to bring high paying jobs to the area. Included during the meeting was a presentation highlighting the country-wide demand for jobs of this type. According to national data, job growth for construction project managers is expected to grow by 8% from 2021 to 2031 with 41,500 new jobs expected to be created with the national median salary being $98,890 as of 2021.
“The truth is, for positions like this, for positions here in construc-
tion and construction management, we've been importing that talent. And what it does is, it comes into town, it does that work for its time that it's here, and then it takes with it both our capital and that intellectual capital as well, and goes off somewhere else,” said Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. “We have the people with the capacity and potential to be leaders in their organizations here, so let's develop that, and let's import capital and keep it here and grow it within our community.”
Moving forward, the program will seek out American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accreditation and is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Confirmation is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
“It's called construction project management partnership, and that's the key thing,” said Dean of the Broadwell College of Business and Economics Ulysses Taylor. “We want to make sure that these students come out ready for the market. We want to give them the skills, the academic skills, plus the practical skills as they come out. This should be a win-win for everyone.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FSU
Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison addresses more than 20 community partners, faculty and staff during the meeting, highlighting the importance of teamwork in bringing this degree program to FSU.
ACHIEVERS
William “Cliff” Kitchens, M.D., named surgical director of the Chest Center of the Carolinas
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is pleased to announce that WILLIAM “CLIFF” KITCHENS, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, has been named surgical director of the Chest Center of the Carolinas. In this role, Dr. Kitchens will co-direct the center alongside medical director Michael Pritchett, D.O., MPH, further strengthening FirstHealth’s multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer care.
As surgical director, Dr. Kitchens will work closely with an expert team of health care providers including pulmonologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to coordinate timely, comprehensive care for patients. A primary focus of his leadership will be expediting the time from diagnosis to treatment—specifically at the earliest stage when lung cancer is most treatable.
Additionally, Dr. Kitchens will collaborate with thoracic surgery colleagues at UNC and across the region to continue to provide leading-edge lung cancer care with a patient-centered approach.
“This role allows us to build on the exceptional lung cancer care we already provide at FirstHealth while enhancing efficiency and coordination across specialties,” Dr. Kitchens said in a press release. “By formalizing pathways that support early diagnosis and treatment, we can continue to offer the highest level of care to our patients.”
Dr. Kitchens brings extensive experience in cardiothoracic surgery and a deep commitment to advancing cancer care and improving outcomes.
He joined FirstHealth in 2017 after serving at the University Medical Group – Cardiothoracic Surgery in Augusta, Ga. A magna cum laude graduate of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., he earned his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta.
HealthKeeperz welcomes new director of marketing
HealthKeeperz recently announced that they are thrilled to welcome MORGAN HUNT JONES, MPA to the team as the director of marketing.
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.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
Jones will spearhead the strategic development and execution of marketing initiatives that advance the organization's mission to provide compassionate care while increasing awareness and visibility. She will also oversee all aspects of the company's marketing strategy, including brand development and public relations, digital marketing, sales team management and communications.
Prior to joining Healthkeeperz, Jones served as director of patient experience at UNC Health Southeastern overseeing the entire lifespan of the patient journey and worked to ensure that all interactions felt safe, high-quality, convenient and intuitive. Jones was named to Becker’s 54 Chief Experience Officers to know in 2024 list.
Jones received a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and a Master of Public Administration both from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
Coldwell Banker
Advantage family of companies ranks as one of the top real estate companies in North America
The Coldwell Banker Advantage family of companies, including Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage, has been recognized as the #27 real estate brokerage in the nation for closed sales according to RISMedia’s 2024 Power Broker Report. The organization also achieved the distinction of being ranked as the #1 Coldwell Banker affiliate company nationwide.
RISMedia, a leading news source
for the real estate industry, has published its Power Broker Report for over 35 years. Through comprehensive survey and analysis, the report ranks the top real estate brokerages in the United States based on closed sales volume and transactions. The 2025 Power Broker Report highlights elite performers in residential real estate based on 2024 sales performance.
“Our goal is to provide quality representation to both buyers and sellers,” said Sandhills Region President Lisa Geddie in a press release. “We remain committed to staying actively involved in our communities, while equipping our agents with the most current training and steadfast support. It’s a true honor to serve our clients and support our agents every step of the way.”
The firms featured in the 2025 Power Broker Report will be recognized at RISMedia’s Annual Awards Gala scheduled for September 3-5 in Washington, D.C.
The Coldwell Banker Advantage Family of Companies serves a wide geographic footprint including Southeastern North Carolina and South Carolina
markets such as Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawley’s Island. Additionally, Coldwell Banker Advantage covers major markets including Raleigh and the Triangle, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Greensboro,
Winston-Salem, the Triad area and Asheville. In 2024, the combined regions closed over $6.4 billion in sales volume and completed more than 16,800 transactions.
Cape Fear Valley Health’s VP of marketing and communications recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review
Cape Fear Valley Health’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications CHAKA JORDAN was recently named to Becker’s list of “78 Chief Marketing Officers to Know.”
According to Becker’s, “These dynamic and strategic leaders are the forces behind powerful marketing and communications efforts, shaping how their organizations are viewed and experienced. Through brand building, data-driven campaigns and strong customer relationship strategies, these executives position their hospitals and health systems as market leaders and trusted voices in healthcare.”
Jordan has served as vice president of marketing & communications at Cape Fear Valley Health since October 2020. With over 25 years of healthcare experience, she has revitalized her team and expanded the organization’s reach. Jordan holds a Bachelor’s in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master’s in Health Administration from UNC-Charlotte.
“Being recognized alongside esteemed colleagues from respected health systems is truly a privilege, and one I don’t take for granted. May we continue to lift each other up as professionals and inspire positive change together,” shared Jordan on her LinkedIn page.
Cumberland County Schools recognized as a communications leader
in
North Carolina
Cumberland County Schools’ (CCS) Communications and Community Engagement Department has been honored with six prestigious Gold Blue Ribbon Awards and one Silver Blue Ribbon Award from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NC -
Kitchens
Jones
Jordan
SPRA) for outstanding and effective communications. NCSPRA presented the awards during a ceremony held in High Point, N.C., on April 11, 2025.
Dr. Lindsay Whitley, associate superintendent for communications and community engagement at Cumberland County Schools, expressed gratitude for the team’s accomplishment in a release, stating,
“I am deeply thankful to our team for their dedication and innovation in effectively communicating with our community. These awards underscore the vital role of school communications and community engagement in nurturing strong relationships and advancing student success.”
Valerie Newton, NCSPRA president and director of communications and family engagement for Sampson County Schools, said the winners’ work exemplifies the high standards of the association and the outstanding contributions of its members.
“We are extremely proud of the work being done by NCSPRA
members across the state and the Blue Ribbon Award winners have demonstrated excellence in all facets of communication,” Newton said in a press release. “Their expertise and professionalism in the field of communication highlight the superior work being done by North Carolina public schools and their accomplishments deserve recognition.
NCSPRA recognizes outstanding communications through its Blue Ribbon Awards program each year. This year’s submission categories included marketing, digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, publications, image/graphic design, photography and special projects and events.
CCS was among 35 school dis -
tricts statewide to receive Blue Ribbon Awards this year, solidifying its position as a leader in communication excellence.
PGA HOPE Fayetteville graduates 25 Veterans at Methodist University
In a powerful display of resilience, growth and community, PGA HOPE Fayetteville − hosted at Methodist University and led by the University’s PGA Golf Management Program − recently graduated 25 Veterans from its spring session. The program, guided by Brock White who is director of the PGA Golf Management Program (PGM) at Methodist University and lead professional for PGA HOPE Fayetteville, and Tim Carlson, the director of instruction and head golf professional for PGM, continues to embody its mission of “Serving Those Who Served.”
PGA ‘HOPE,’ which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere, introduces Veterans and active-duty military to the game of golf as a form of therapy for improving phys -
ACHIEVERS
ical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Offered free of charge, the six-to-eight program is taught by PGA of America professionals in a structured, welcoming environment that encourages growth.
As part of its national recognition, PGA HOPE is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through a formal Memorandum of Understanding, allowing direct referrals from VA medical facilities as part of a Veteran’s rehabilitation plan.
At Methodist University, PGA HOPE has become more than a program − it’s a movement.
“The PGA HOPE Program is truly life-changing for our Veterans, offering healing, camaraderie and purpose through the game of golf,” said White in a press release. “At Methodist University, we are honored to host one of the 28 thriving chapters across North and South Carolina, and we take immense pride in providing a space in which service members can reconnect, grow and thrive through this incredible initiative using golf.”
Open survey for Corridor K
NCDOT RELEASES PUBLIC SURVEY REGARDING CORRIDOR K, AND THE POTENTIAL ROUTE FOR I-685.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is looking for input on a connected route that would link several centers of economic interest in and around Fayetteville and Cumberland County along a route that includes Interstate-685. The route is dubbed Corridor K, and is part of the Carolina Core brand.
NCDOT’s survey, seeking input from residents, businesses and other stakeholders like Fort Bragg, will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2, and is focused on Phase 1 of Corridor K specifically.
Corridor K is described in the North Carolina Transportation Network and Strategic Transportation Corridors (STC) framework as an important regional connector serving the Piedmont and Coastal Plains regions.
Phase 1 encompasses the northernmost area of Corridor K, following U.S. Route 421, N.C. Route 87 and N.C. 24 between Greensboro and Interstate 95 in Fayetteville, a distance of 109 miles.
Corridor K as a whole runs from Interstate-40 in Guilford County through Sanford in Lee County to U.S. Highway 117 in Wilmington and New Hanover County, linking the manufacturing centers of the Piedmont Triad region to export opportunities at the port in Wilmington.
The corridor also provides a crucial link between Fort Bragg and the port at Wilmington and the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal.
As part of the study, alternatives will be developed and analyzed for the portion of the corridor that connects N.C. State Route 87 in Sanford south to I-95 in either Cumberland or Harnett counties.
The intent of the Corridor K master plan is to develop a consistent transportation vision and performance measures for the corridor and to determine the location of the corridor from Sanford to I-95, based on stakeholder input and sound technical assessment that will serve to streamline subsequent project development processes.
THROUGH THE SURVEY, RESIDENTS CAN ORDER PROJECT OBJECTIVES BY MAGNITUDE OF PRIORITY FROM ONE TO 10. THESE OPTIONS INCLUDE:
Left: The FCEDC is requesting the public's help in filling out this survey to ensure our voice is heard. Right: The intent of the Corridor K Master Plan (pictured) is to develop a consistent transportation vision for the corridor as well as determine if (and where) alternative locations for the section between Sanford and I-95 are recommended.
Improve safety for all users.
Promote a direct interstate connection between Greensboro and I-95.
Provide a new bypass around Spring Lake to reduce congestion near Ft. Bragg.
Improve corridor efficiency and reduce congestion for all users.
Promote regional connectivity between Greensboro, Fayetteville and Wilmington.
Improve air quality by minimizing vehicle-miles traveled and vehicle emissions.
Enhance direct access for the military and base staff at Ft. Bragg.
Provide a direct connection to megasites and major activity centers and destinations.
Enhance development opportunities and quality of life for residents, workers and visitors by improving roadway access to areas along the corridor.
Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety and connectivity across the corridor and to regional trails.
“Our hope is that as many people as possible will weigh in, sharing their top priorities and concerns for this corridor,” said Robert Van Geons, the president and CEO, of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation.
Van Geons said Corridor K presents a unique opportunity for the area. Nearby stakeholders will have tangible input on matters like accessibility to Ft. Bragg, public safety and natural disaster resiliency.
“We believe that this project would substantially benefit our community in many ways,” Van Geons noted. “Participation will ensure your priorities are considered as part of the planning process.”
Corridor K, ultimately, would bring the area expedited connectivity to the Carolina Core, the brand name for a network of megasites across the state.
Loren Hill, the Carolina Core regional economic development director for the Piedmont Triad Partnership, said the Carolina Core was developed because of the state’s strategically-located megasites.
THESE ARE THE FOLLOWING MEGASITES:
Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County.
Chatham-Siler City Advanced Manufacturing Site in Chatham County.
The Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County.
The Greensboro-Randolph Mega Site, which is in Randolph County.
“Each of those four projects has landed one or more transformative projects,” Hill said. “No other place in the country has that many mega sites so close by where transformative projects can come.”
The biggest is the Toyota Battery Plant in Greensboro, which accounts for 5,100 jobs and $13.9 billion in capital investment.
“That's the largest capital investment ever in North Carolina,” Hill said.
The second largest capital investment ever in North Carolina, he noted, was announced by Wolfspeed, a semi-conductor manufacturing site. The third is also one of the megasites, VinFast, an electric car manufacturer in Chatham County.
“That also had the largest job announcement ever in North Carolina, 7500 jobs,” Hill said.
On the tangible benefits of Corridor K, Van Geons said: “Adding to our workforce, megasite and industrial capacity would help attract companies, suppliers and economic growth for our entire region.”
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FCEDC & NCDOT
THE RIGHT PARTNER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
For more than 185 years, we’ve forged personal relationships with our customers and communities, funding economic development and rallying around the causes that are important to our neighbors. With local bankers you know and trust, businesses and individuals throughout the Carolinas continue to choose United Bank.
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.
Put it downtown
BUSINESS OWNERS ENCOURAGE COUNTY OFFICIALS
TO BRING THE CROWN EVENT CENTER TO DOWNTOWN FAYETTEVILLE
It’s been a busy few months for the current Cumberland County Board of Commissioners regarding the heavily anticipated $145 million Crown Event Center project that has been in the works since 2022.
Now, businesses are expressing concerns over thoughts to move the project from downtown and, instead of a new building, utilize funds to renovate the current Crown Event Center located at 1960 Coliseum Drive in southeast Fayetteville. In a press release sent by the County, the Board of Commissioners instructed staff to engage Davis Kane Architects to develop cost estimates for renovating and modernizing the existing Crown Theatre and Arena.
During a Joint Quarterly Meeting organized by the Downtown Alliance of Fayetteville (DA) and Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD), on Wednesday, April 16, Cumberland County Commissioner Glenn Adams came before downtown business owners to provide some insight into what has been happening during closed sessions taking place during scheduled Commissioner’s meetings.
“There is a push to not put it downtown. There’s a push to put it back out, where the old [Crown] Theatre is, to renovate the old theatre for whatever reason. I’ve always been an advocate for putting it downtown. I think it enhances downtown,” said Adams “The pause was actually about an invoice and some issues that we had. It had nothing to do with the contractors and the building of this particular event center.”
Adams also shared that there were some legal issues regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the current Crown Complex due to how the additions of other buildings took place. He shared that there were talks to renovate the current Crown Complex back in 2015 with estimations given on what it would cost to renovate the theatre and bring it up to ADA standards. Now, Adams said that plans for renovating just the theatre are back in discussion.
“There are three proposals that they had on the table. One was to renovate it with the current number of seats with 3,000 seats, which is
The DA and CSDD’s Joint Quarterly Meeting provided a space for Commissioner Glenn Adams to speak about what has been discussed during closed sessions. According to county leadership, $35 million has been invested in the Crown Event Center going downtown to include architectural design, site work and preliminary planning.
what the complex was going to have down here, modernize it with 2,000 seats, or do it with 3,000 seats, renovate it and modernize it,” said Adams.“I don’t believe if you renovate that theatre, that it’s going to bring any businesses out to that quarter. I just don’t.”
Now, downtown organizations are banding together to make their support of the current Crown Event Center plans well known.
The DA has sent a letter of support to the Cumberland County Commissioners and the City of Fayetteville’s City Council, Downtown Fayetteville Stakeholders and others. Included in the letter were details of the economic investment from the community; the DA notes that they invested $119,500 along with $100,000 from the City of Fayetteville to designate the Cool Spring Downton District as the city’s designated cultural district.
THE LETTER READS IN PART:
“On behalf of the Downtown Alliance, we write to reaffirm our strong and ongoing support for locating the new Crown Event Center in the heart of Downtown Fayette-
ville. This is simply not a decision about updating infrastructure- it is about choosing the location that will deliver the greatest long-term return on investment for our county’s economy, identity and future.
While modernizing the existing Crown Theatre and Arena on Highway 301 may appear to address immediate structural needs, it would ultimately be a missed opportunity. The current location is isolated, underutilized and disconnected from the cultural and economic momentum driving Fayetteville forward. Audiences come and go without setting foot in a local business.
Visitors to the Crown’s present site often leave with a limited- often unfavorable- impression of our city. They arrive for a show without ever experiencing the true Fayetteville.”
“Fayetteville has so much potential,” said Fernando Duque, owner of Quack Quack Phone Repair. “We have so much going for us, and to not put the venue downtown would be a huge disservice, because motion creates motion. For you to be able to go to an event, and then to be able to patron with any of the fantastic businesses downtown, it creates a
sense of community.”
Leadership with Cool Spring Downtown District have confirmed that they are also working on a letter in support of bringing the Crown Event Center downtown.
In 2025, the project underwent a 30 day pause announced on March 5 to allow for a “comprehensive project review” by the current Board of Commissioners along with counsel from third party individuals, Scott Flowers of Hutchens Law Firm and an unnamed architect.
On April 8, 2025, it was announced that the suspension of the project had been officially lifted but no information regarding when construction would resume or an updated timeline on the project was given to the public.
The most recent news from the County was released on April 14.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, to discuss the Crown Event Center project. No formal action was taken following a closed session held for attorney-client matters.
The Board has requested the project team present an updated timeline and associated costs following the lifting of the contract suspension on April 7, 2025. MBP Carolinas, the County’s owner’s representative for the project, will be preparing a revised Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the final construction package for the Board’s review and approval.
Commissioners also received an update on the project’s financing plan, including how the financial model is designed to accommodate anticipated cost increases.
Along with Davis Kane Architects developing cost estimates for renovating and modernizing the existing Crown Theatre and Arena, the goal is to evaluate how those facilities might be updated to offer similar programmatic features as the planned Crown Event Center. Chairman deViere noted that the study will support the Board’s decision-making on the future use of those venues.
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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.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
CHANEL & LAM
INC.
1040 Bragg Blvd
Fayetteville Agent: TOVAN N PHAM
SOBER EFFECT
LLC
1500 Laguardia Dr Hope Mills Agent: Charleton Roberson
New Beginnings Primary Care PLLC
200 Dick St Ste D #122
Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
