Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - May 9, 2025 issue
Lumberton
weet Valley Ranch, the multi-attraction amusement park and family-fun farm, is opening its doors for visitors who want to make a weekend out of their trip to one of Fayetteville’s most exciting attractions.
Starting May 15, interested visitors will be able to book a stay at the farm. Visitors can pick from two luxury campers and two cozy cottages. They may also choose to stay at Queen’s Landing, a picturesque,
PHOTO
Cambridge Reserve features 92 homes on 95.32 total acres, with four distinct floor plans ranging from 2,200 to over 2,850 square feet. Development at Cambridge Reserve will continue in phases over the coming years.
Additions to Angier
NEW RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES FROM MUNGO HOMES SIGNAL GROWTH IN ANGIER'S HOUSING MARKET
As Angier, North Carolina, continues its transformation from quiet crossroads to a thriving residential destination, two new housing communities are helping to define the next chapter of its growth.
Since 2020, Angier's population has surged by 46%, reaching approximately 8,335 residents by 2025. Located near Wake County and the greater Triangle region, the town is attracting homebuyers who want a balance of small-town charm and metropolitan convenience.
Infrastructure improvements—like the NC 55 Bypass—have supported this expansion while preserving Angier’s historic character. A revitalized downtown featuring Main Street and Depot Square hosts regular community events, including the well-loved Crepe Myrtle Festival.
“The real estate market in Angier mirrors this upward momentum,” said Mungo Homes Market President Adam Speiran. “There’s growing demand for new homes—especially those offering more space, both indoors and out.”
Mungo Homes is responding to that demand with two new communities: Langdon Preserve and Cambridge Reserve. Both developments
offer large lots, spacious floor plans and the kind of outdoor access today’s buyers increasingly prioritize.
LANGDON PRESERVE
is an intimate enclave of 34 homesites on 35.82 total acres. Homes range from 2,500 to 2,850 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and two-and-a-half to three bathrooms. Lot sizes span from over half an acre to more than two acres—a rare find in the Triangle market.
CAMBRIDGE RESERVE
features 92 homes on 95.32 total acres, with four distinct floor plans ranging from 2,200 to over 2,850 square feet. Lots range between half an acre and one acre. Some homes will include both an attached and a detached two-car garage, providing flexible space for hobbies, storage or additional vehicles.
“The communities each have their own charm and appeal,” Speiran said. “We like that they’re smaller with large lots—this caters to the lifestyle of people who want to be outdoors and interacting. It’s a great place for kids to go out and enjoy the outdoors.”
These developments offer strategic advantages for families with ties to both Raleigh and Fayetteville, thanks
to their central location. Nearby Jack Marley Park offers added lifestyle appeal, with amenities such as walking trails, a skate ramp, lagoon, playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts and disc golf.
“We’ve been eyeing the Angier and Lillington submarket for a while,” Speiran said. “It’s growing, it’s well-connected and it’s great for families split between the Raleigh and
Fayetteville area.”
Mungo Homes also engages in philanthropic endeavors in the region. Currently, Mungo team members are participating in the fourth annual Week of Service (May 5–9), volunteering with organizations like Note in the Pocket, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and Haven House Services.
— Adam Speiran, Market President, Mungo Homes “
We like that they’re smaller with large lots—this caters to the lifestyle of people who want to be outdoors and interacting. It’s a great place for kids to go out and enjoy the outdoors.”
In addition, Mungo Homes is collaborating with Operation Coming Home to provide a mortgage-free home to a Green Beret Veteran—the 29th home donated through this program. The home will be delivered around Veterans Day.
Model homes at Langdon Preserve are expected to be completed by fall 2025, with first move-ins across both communities anticipated as early as this summer. Development at Cambridge Reserve will continue in phases over the coming years. Both communities are priced from the mid to high $300,000s.
With Angier’s population expected to keep climbing, these new communities offer homebuyers an increasingly rare blend: space, nature, modern design and attainability—all in one of the Triangle’s fastest-growing areas.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MUNGO HOMES
2504 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
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It is always such a trip for me to watch pieces of media from the past to see how people envisioned the future. I may sound old when I say this but, does anyone remember The Jetsons? The family of the future with the robot maid named Rosie? Did you all know that was supposed to take place in the year 2062?
I feel like we’re more than 37 years away from having the type of technology that will allow you to fold your car up into a little cube.
How about Back to the Future Part II? We’re now 10 years overdue for a hoverboard and dehydrated Pizza Hut pizzas that can feed a full family that you can rehydrate in seconds.
I remember when I was in college studying media communications
from a roving bakery truck that stops by your house everyday.
While we aren’t wearing radio hats or staying in moving hotel buildings, technology has brought us to a place where we can use Bluetooth to wirelessly listen to music and some Recreational Vehicles are nicer than some hotels I’ve stayed in.
The development of technology from the year 2000 to the present has been a speedrun of innovation and ingenuity. I remember when advertising for the iPod was centered around headphones and now, the company has done away with traditional wired headphones seemingly across the board. Now, Artificial Intelligence has entered the Chat GPT and a new era is about to begin.
With AI having the capability to write emails and advertisements, generate art and graphics, transcribe and translate languages live, research
topics and so much more, there’s no telling what AI will be capable of in just a few short years.
I invite you all to join us at our upcoming Power Breakfast on June 12 titled “Applied Intelligence,” where we will be speaking with local experts to find out how AI can be utilized across numerous fields and help businesses!
Go to www.fayettevillepowerbreakfast.com to learn more and purchase your table or ticket!
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE’S ECD DEPARTMENT BRINGS GENERAL LICENSE PREP PROGRAM TO LOCAL CONTRACTORS
The City of Fayetteville’s Economic & Community Development department is working to invest in the services and skills of local contractors by offering a new course to the community.
Applications are open for the General License Prep Program, a guided course aimed at increasing the total number of licensed general contractors in the area by offering training and certifications to help them receive their general contractors license.
Each cohort for the program includes two, eight hour courses of classroom training conducted by instructors from Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). These courses are held on Saturdays at the Fayetteville- Cumberland- Regional Entrepreneur and Business HUB located on Fayetteville State University’s campus and cover the following topics:
Building/Construction/Industrial Training
Blueprint Reading/Construction
Carpentry
Residential Building Codes
Residential & Commercial Planning/ Estimating
Construction Safety
The program began with its first cohort in February of 2024. Ideal students for the program include those in the area who are already in the industry and looking to expand their services.
“They teach them how to actually pass the exam that's required by the North Carolina State Construction Exam Board,” said Economic Development Manager Derrick McArthur. “A lot of these students that come to be a part of this cohort, they've already been in this field, and this was just trying to help them get to the next level. That can be your handymen, those that have been working in construction and look forward to taking on bigger jobs where they need a general contractor license, those that have been doing some demos in the city, but now we want to see you taking on bigger jobs and taking on those contracting jobs.”
The course has already been successful in helping students receive
The General Contractor License Prep Program is made possible by a partnership
Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University.
licensing. Cohort graduate, Army Veteran and Owner of WIE Contracting and Consulting Services (WIECCS) Solomon Woods shared that he was able to get his unlimited building contractor license after taking the course which will allow him to expand his offerings of his company located in Erwin, N.C.
“This prep program was really critical to me getting kind of to where I am right now. Getting my contractors license was something that was on my list, but sometimes people need that extra kick to get jump started. Getting your contractor's license is dedication. You’re not going to go to a couple day prep course and pass the exam it’s just not going to happen. You actually have to be dedicated,” said Woods.
He shared that the City’s renewed intention of hiring local contractors rather than outsourcing to other companies was one of the main reasons he pursued his license.
“It was something that I wanted to do, but I kept procrastinating. When I saw the prep course [online] and I signed up, that’s when I said ‘Ok, I’m going to do this.’ I would say for maybe two or three years, I put off trying to at least study for it because it’s a
daunting task. And if the prep course wasn't there, I probably still would be procrastinating and finding a reason to not get my license,” said Woods.
Another Cohort graduate and Owner of Maybridge Development Latisha Perkins was able to receive her license to build after trying several times in the past studying solo.
“There was more guidance, there were professionals there that were able to assist and really guide us to what we should be focused on when we’re taking the exam. There’s a code book and it’s over 1,000 pages, there’s just so much to cover. So they really guide us to success,” shared Perkins.
During the course, a focus was given onto the contracting opportunities with the City of Fayetteville which led to Perkins being awarded a contract to develop two lots within the city into affordable housing.
“It’s still in the early stages. Right now, we’re doing a lot of planning and making sure that everything aligns so that we can exceed the expectations from the community and also the city,” shared Perkins.
According to McArthur, this course was created to help give program participants an edge when it comes to bidding on projects with the City of Fayetteville.
“The goal of this is to help those that are here increase their participation in government contracting and enhance employment prospects and improve job performance. It’s not just about learning how to pass the exam, it’s improving professional reputations in the area by them having their licenses and being insured,” said McArthur. “We’re working now to partner with our procurement office to see if there’s something we can do in addition. We make sure that we keep them [cohort participants] updated about events on how to do business with the city, what’s going out there: Request for Proposals, Request for Quotations.”
The class schedule for has already been set for 2025.
UPCOMING CLASS DATES INCLUDE:
June 7 & 21
July 12 & 19
September 13 & 20
October 18 & 25
Registration is free but required and can be done online at www.fayettevillenc.gov/ GCLPP
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE
between the City of Fayetteville ECD,
The Strength of Advice®
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“I would definitely recommend Cape Fear Valley Health for a total knee replacement.”
Knee pain can be debilitating, especially when it reaches the point of bone-onbone discomfort. Bettye Marable experienced this firsthand in 2023, when a gradually worsening condition led to constant pain that interfered with her daily activities, from work to walking her dogs. After trying cortisone shots with limited success, Bettye sought help at Cape Fear Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, where she was introduced to James P. Flanagan, MD. Dr. Flanagan performed a successful knee replacement, and Bettye was amazed at how quickly she recovered.
Nine months later, when pain began affecting her other knee, she returned for a second procedure. Now, Bettye is pain-free and back to enjoying life with two new knees.
If you’re struggling with knee pain, don’t wait until it impacts your quality of
ACHIEVERS
KS Bank President/ CEO
Earl W. Worley, Jr.
appointed to ICBA Housing Finance Committee
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) has announced that Earl W. Worley, Jr., president/CEO of KS Bank was elected to serve on ICBA’s Housing Finance Committee. As the nation’s voice for community banks, ICBA’s sole focus is ensuring community banks and the customers they serve continue to flourish.
“Community banks are the heartbeat of Main Street, driving local economies and forging lasting relationships with consumers and small businesses,” said Worley in a press release. “I’m honored to contribute to ICBA’s mission, ensuring that community banks have a strong voice in policy discussions and access to education and innovative solutions that strengthen their ability to serve local communities.”
In this role, Worley will help shape and promote ICBA’s policy positions and programming, engage in grassroots advocacy efforts in North Carolina, and serve as a bridge between local community banks and ICBA leadership in Washington, D.C.
“Earl brings invaluable insight and dedication to the table, reinforcing the importance of community banks in fostering economic stability and opportunity,” said ICBA Chairman Jack Hopkins, president and CEO of CorTrust Bank in Sioux Falls, S.D., in a press release. “We appreciate Earl’s leadership and commitment to advancing ICBA’s mission and look forward to working together to champion policies that empower community banks and the communities they serve.”
KS Bank’s corporate office is located in Smithfield, N.C. and operates X financial centers in Harnett, Johnston, Wake, Wilson and Wayne counties.
RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD turns 10
This year marks 10 years of RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD leading the way in commercial construction. What started in Fayetteville, N.C., has expanded into a multistate operation with a growing list of licenses.
“It has been a fun learning ex -
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.”
perience for me, transitioning from commercial banking to residential construction and now to commercial construction. The learning curve has been steeper than I thought, as we are growing and taking on more difficult projects each year,” shared Co- Founder Hector Ray.
Over the past decade, RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD has had the privilege of working with a wide range of businesses, from nationally recognized brands to unique, locally loved establishments.
Some of their notable partnerships include:
• Take 5 Oil Change – Helping drive the success of their rapid expansion.
• Club Pilates – Creating inviting, high-end fitness spaces across the country.
• Jersey Mike’s – Bringing “A Sub Above” to many new locations near you.
• Culver’s – Helping a national QSR brand expand into the Carolinas.
• Cape Fear Valley Health System – Building new spaces for exceptional healthcare.
“The most rewarding experience is seeing our client’s vision come to life and the excitement of their employees and customers at the grand openings,” shared Ray.
RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD has also made a lasting impact on the
commercial construction industry. A major milestone was their involvement with the Retail Contractors Association (RCA)—an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in retail construction.
“We could not have made it to 10 years without dedicated employees and trusted subcontractor partners. They all work together daily to help us build great spaces for our clients,” shared Co- Founder Greg West. “We are excited for the next 10 years as we expand our geographic footprint and client base. We are currently talking to several well-known franchises about building their new stores and restaurants.”
City of Fayetteville marketing & communications team receives Excellence in Communications Awards
The city of Fayetteville was among 27 North Carolina jurisdictions to earn recognition in the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2025 Excellence in Communications Awards on April 10, 2025. The city’s marketing and communications team won three second place awards in the audio, public service announcement and regular programming categories.
The awards were announced during NC3C’s annual conference in Asheville, N.C. A total of 179 award program entries from 47 different local government organizations were judged by professional communications peers from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.
The Fayetteville marketing and communications team was recognized for their Radio Fayetteville
podcast in the audio category. The Radio Fayetteville Podcast is a channel with two ongoing series, The Fayetteville 411 and the Fayetteville Fire Podcast.
The team was also recognized for a solid waste public service announcement reminding residents why it’s important to put fireworks out the right way, before placing them in the correct rollout cart.
This animated video was featured during the Fourth of July holiday.
Last year, the team developed a ‘Can Do’ employee spotlight series to highlight city of Fayetteville employees and what their jobs entail. This series won second place in the regular programming series.
“I’m incredibly proud to see our marketing and communications team’s dedication recognized on this state-wide stage,” said Fayetteville City Manager Douglas J. Hewett in a press release. “Their work embodies Fayetteville’s ‘Can-Do’ spirit by keeping our community well-informed, engaged and inspired. These awards underscore the innovation and passion driving our efforts to serve the people of Fayetteville, and I look forward to seeing even more creative ways they’ll help us connect with residents in the future.”
PWC receives national recognition for safety
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) has earned the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2024. PWC earned the Diamond award in the category for utilities with 250,000 to 999,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.
“Achieving the highest award for safety from the APPA is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every employee at PWC,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/general manager of Fayetteville PWC, in a press
Worley, Jr.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE City of Fayetteville Marketing & Communications team pictured with previous awards.
release. “Promoting safety is a core value for PWC. This ensures that not only do we do the right thing in making sure our employees end the workday safely, but also helps to control costs for both the organization and for our ratepayers.”
More than 200 utilities entered the annual Safety Awards for 2024. The entries are placed in accordance with their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records and overall state of their safety programs and culture during 2024. Some of the initiatives PWC was
recognized for to achieve this national award include:
• Maintaining a low incident rate
• Enhanced safety training and daily job safety briefings to prevent incidents from occurring
• A safety reporting system and safety audits to promote best safety practices and correct unsafe behavior before an incident occurs
• Investment in safety equipment and PPE
As a result of this commitment to safety, PWC has seen a marked reduction in workplace incidents and an overall improvement in employee confidence regarding their safety on the job.
Fayetteville Technical Community College Dean selected to serve on Association for Institutional Research Board of Directors
Dr. Vincent Castano, Dean
of Institutional Effectiveness at Fayetteville Technical Community College, has been selected to serve on the Association for Institutional Research Board of Directors.
AIR has a mission to empower higher education professionals to use data, information and analytics in ways that are effective, ethical and impactful. AIR Executive Director and CEO Dr. Christine M. Keller, in a letter announcing Castano’s selection, called the achievement a reflection of the respect and confidence that Castano has earned from his peers and colleagues in higher education.
“Board members engage in high-level and future-focused discussions on governance, emerging practices and policy developments while building expansive networks and strengthening their leadership and communication skills,” Keller wrote. “Vincent’s participation on the Board positions him — and by extension, Fayetteville Technical Community College — at the forefront of conversations around data-informed decision making in higher education.”
Castano joined FTCC in Janu -
ACHIEVERS
ary 2010 and has over 20 years of experience working for the North Carolina Community College System in a variety of capacities. In addition to his role as Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at FTCC, he has served as a consultant for other community colleges, universities and governmental agencies regarding data analysis in conjunction with training other institutional researchers in completing federally mandated reports as an Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) trainer with AIR.
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.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PWC
The Fayetteville PWC team pictured with their award.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY FTCC
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells congratulates Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at FTCC Dr. Vincent Castano, for his selection to the Association for Institutional Research Board of Directors.
A hole new plan
PINEHURST RESORT TO OPEN PINEHURST NO. 11 IN 2027
Pinehurst Resort announced on Monday, April 21, that Pinehurst No. 11, to be designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, will begin construction at Pinehurst Sandmines later this year and is expected to open in fall 2027. No. 11 joins Tom Doak’s design of Pinehurst No. 10 at the 900-acre site that for decades was mined for its deep reservoirs of sand.
Those past mining operations are still evident within the contours of the site of Coore & Crenshaw’s routing. They are among the features that have drawn the pair to this area since their acclaimed restoration of Pinehurst No. 2 about 15 years ago.
“It’s such a wonderful site, just because of its inherent character,” said Coore in a press release. “That character was essentially created, not all of it is natural, but it has all been reclaimed by nature. This is land left over from all that mining from the 1930s. The spoil piles are here, and Mother Nature provided the trees, and it’s all incredible. It’s not too often you get that kind of combination, and it creates a site that is extraordinarily interesting for golf.”
Coore & Crenshaw envision No.
11 to be a golf course that winds and twists while still being dramatic in shape and style, with jutting ridges and massive mounds to be played over and around.
“The designs of No. 10 and No. 11 complement each other so well by contrasting so much. Golf in the North Carolina Sandhills can be an experience unlike any other, and we believe the golf at Pinehurst Sandmines will be a great representation of that,” shared President of Pinehurst Resort Tom Pashley.
For someone like Coore, who grew
up in North Carolina and ventured to Pinehurst on numerous occasions in his youth to play the famed designs in this area, the landforms for No. 11 are unlike anything he has seen around Pinehurst.
“It’s this choppy, ridgey ground,” said Coore in a press release. “It’s not as much elevation change, but it’s so quirky with the ridges and the piles and the trees and the angles. This is going to be so intimate in scale. You’re winding your way through trees and over old piles and across ridges. We’re far, far from the sea, but
we have these contours and features and landforms that remind you of spots in Ireland or Scotland. And yet here it is, in Pinehurst.”
No. 11’s building marks another milestone in a short amount of time for Pinehurst Sandmines. As No. 10 has earned numerous accolades since its opening a year ago, other elements of Sandmines are also coming together this summer.
The 6,000-square-foot pro shop and locker room will open in June, and in August, Sandmines’ restaurant and bar will be open for business. Plans for lodging for guests staying on property are ongoing and could be in place by the end of 2027.
“We want Pinehurst Sandmines to be a special place not just in Pinehurst, but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time and enhance the soul of American golf,” said Bob Dedman Jr., owner and CEO of Pinehurst Resort, in a press release. “The vision Coore & Crenshaw have for No. 11 coupled with what Tom Doak has already done at No. 10 makes that hope more of a possibility, and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future has in store.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PINEHURST RESORT
Bill Coore (right) walks the property of Pinehurst No. 11 with Pinehurst Resort Golf Course Maintenance Manager Kevin Robinson (left).
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PINEHURST RESORT
Aerial view of the future home of Pinehurst No. 11.
Scene change
HISTORIC THEATER IN LUMBERTON EMBRACES GROWTH WITH NEW 8,200 SQUARE FOOT ANNEX ADDITION
The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater originally opened in 1928 as a vaudeville and silent film house. Now, nearly 100 years later, the space is growing to attract and accommodate an even bigger population.
The Theater began construction of its 8,200 square foot annex addition in September 2024. Executive Director of the Carolina Civic Center Foundation Richard Sceiford explained that this expansion was needed to meet the growth the theater has seen over recent years.
“We have a small lobby. It’s an old theater, and trying to have 450 people buying concessions, tickets and otherwise getting into the auditorium from the same small lobby, [we realized] we needed to up our game,” remarked Sceiford.
The theater currently brings in 12-15,000 visitors per year for its performances, special events, rentals, etc. and this addition will greatly add to that. The facility will have a capacity in its event space of 260 people seated at tables, 390 with chairs, and 450 standing, while the new lobby will hold an additional 350 people
standing. The annex also will contain concession, bar and ticketing counters, a bridal suite and changing room, catering kitchen and additional bathrooms and storage areas.
“Richard and the foundation have been working towards this annex project for years. It’s been something that our downtown efforts have recognized as an important driver for downtown businesses, downtown revitalization and it was actually in our downtown master plan that was adopted to council many years ago, which was just revised in the last year and readopted, to create activities, nodes of interest in the downtown, for tourism, for locals, for out of towners, to want to come to downtown, and so the Civic Center was one of those primary drivers,” shared Deputy City Manager for the City of Lumberton Brandon Love.
The new annex will be located on the existing theater’s south side (formerly a City of Lumberton public parking lot), with a pass through into the existing historic lobby. It will allow the theater to continue its success drawing people to downtown through expanded capacity and ame-
nities. It also will expand the theater’s programming offerings to include pre- and post-show receptions, dinner theater and other special events. It also will be available for rental events such as weddings, corporate special events and regional meetings and conferences.
“It’s a very contemporary building. It’s not meant to mimic the historic theater. So it has its own personality,” remarked Sceiford.
The site also will feature a fenced patio and alleyway seating area.
The raw cost of construction came in at $3.2 million. Once architect fees, environmental and furnishings were factored in, the total cost of the project came out to about $4 million, and that cost has been paid in full.
With its existing 450-seat theater and dressing rooms and offices, the expanded facility’s total size will be 30,000 square feet. The plan is to have the project completed mid-June, with an opening celebration mid-August.
“We’re close. The addition itself, I would say, is 80% complete, and we're kind of to that point where we are going to punch through and
connect the addition to the historic theater. So that is kind of a big piece that’s left” shared Project Architect Ethan Page.
Lumberton is experiencing a lot of development, and Deputy City Manager Love hopes that projects like the Civic Center Annex will catalyze further growth in the downtown area.
“It’s been a goal of mine and of our Main Street group for probably the last eight or 10 years, to be in a position at some point in our downtown revitalization efforts, to be able to host a main street conference, the North Carolina Main Street Conference, or the North Carolina Preservation Conference. I don’t know that we’re quite there yet, but having a civic center annex is a big part of what will make us competitive at being able to win one of those conferences here in Lumberton,” shared Love.
The grand opening celebration date has not yet been announced. To keep up to date with the North Carolina Civic Center Theater check out their website: www. carolinaciviccenter.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CAROLINA CIVIC CENTER HISTORIC THEATER
Top: A rendering of the completed 8,200 square foot annex addition. Bottom & Right: Construction began in September 2024 and is expected to wrap up in June with a grand opening celebration planned for August.
Funding developments
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES READY NORTH CAROLINA'S SOUTHEAST REGION FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND NEW JOBS
An innovative regional program to support shovel-ready industrial sites and industrial buildings is generating results for the 20 counties of North Carolina’s Southeast region.
“We’re grateful to our legislative delegation and their leadership for embracing this vision early on,” said President of NC’s Southeast Steve Yost in a press release. “Legislators immediately understood how timely the opportunity was given the post-pandemic wave of industrial re-shoring and the urgency by businesses – especially manufacturers –to move quickly in ramping up new operations.”
NC’s Southeast’s product development program began in 2021 with a $5 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly. Two years later, state legislators allocated another $2.5 million to the initiative. Since launching the program, regional leaders have worked with local, state and private partners to identify 17 potential new industrial properties, develop 133 acres of “pad-ready” industrial sites and support the construction of six industrial buildings. Altogether, the initiative has funded 33 infrastructure and product development projects across all counties across the region. Today, 100% of the funding has been deployed to the product development strategies.
Twelve of the region’s 20 counties are currently designated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce as “Tier One” – a measure of economic distress that makes businesses investing there eligible for the state’s most generous financial incentives. The predominantly rural region relies on collaboration among economic development professionals and a long list of strategic partners.
In Cumberland County, support from NC’s Southeast leveraged a larger Golden LEAF grant in making key improvements to existing infrastructure for industrial property. The county’s Sand Hill Road property lacked an access road that could give clients a ground-level view of the site. A $262,000 grant from NC’s Southeast helped support the design of the road while
Top: Support from NC’s Southeast leveraged a larger Golden LEAF grant in making key improvements to existing infrastructure for Cumberland County’s Sand Hill Road property. A $262,000 grant from NC’s Southeast helped support the design of an access road, while $937,600 from Golden LEAF supported the clearing and grading of a 30-acre section of the site.
Bottom: SITE Program funds supported site due diligence necessary to ready COMtech Business Park for the development of a pad-ready site supported by funding from NC’s Southeast.
$937,600 from Golden LEAF supported the clearing and grading of a 30-acre section of the site.
“We were able to leverage Southeast funds with additional dollars,” said President and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation Robert Van Geons in a press release. “This is the last county-owned site in Cumberland County, and we needed to get it to a place where fast-moving projects could understand its
potential upon the first visit.”
With improvements in place, the Sand Hill Road site is now under contract by a tech-industry development group initiating a capital investment that could approach a billion dollars.
In today’s business world, economic developers “have to demonstrate to clients they have the shovel-ready sites and infrastructure to serve their needs,” explained Van Geons in a press release. “Without
those two assets, you won’t be successful.”
Scott Hamilton, president and CEO of the Golden LEAF, recalls other opportunities where his organization’s SITE Program and NC’s Southeast’s product development grants provided complementary funding in support of industrial sites in southeastern North Carolina.
“SITE Program funding assisted the Duplin County Airpark with design and grading costs, while NC’s Southeast funding covered costs associated with the development of an access road to the park,” Hamilton said in a press release. “In Robeson County, SITE Program funds supported site due diligence necessary to ready ComTech Business Park for the development of a pad-ready site supported by funding from NC’s Southeast. These are just two examples of the power of leveraged funding to help move the economic needle, especially in rural North Carolina communities.”
A public-private partnership headquartered in Elizabethtown, N.C., North Carolina’s Southeast’s mission is to provide strong economic development leadership in southeastern North Carolina through innovative marketing and collaborative regional initiatives that will support the creation of new jobs, generate capital investment and secure new business locations. Member counties include Anson, Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Hoke, Jones, Lenoir, Montgomery, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland and Wayne.
TOP PHOTO PROVIDED BY FCEDC. BOTTOM PHOTO PROVIDED BY COMTECH BUSINESS PARK
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