Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - September 5, 2025 issue
On Thursday, Aug. 28, Wawa, Inc., announced a significant milestone in its history: the grand opening of its first travel center. Located in Cumberland County at 630 Chicken Foot Road in Hope Mills, N.C., the location is the first of its kind chainwide designed to serve
drivers, family travelers and
friends and neighbors. To mark the milestone, Wawa was joined by hundreds of customers, local officials and community
PHOTO
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TowneBank expands with Dogwood
DOGWOOD STATE BANK TO BE ACQUIRED BY TOWNEBANK, CREATING $22B INSTITUTION
TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN) and Raleigh based Dogwood State Bank (OTCQX: DSBX) (“Dogwood”), announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which TowneBank will acquire Dogwood State Bank.
The proposed transaction substantially enhances TowneBank’s strategic journey down the fast-growing Interstate 85 corridor from Richmond, Virginia to Greenville and the upstate region of South Carolina. The bank’s current market position will be expanded in Raleigh, Greensboro-Winston Salem, Greenville and Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, the merger will increase the bank’s footprint along the eastern North Carolina coast from the Outer Banks to also include Morehead City, Greenville, Fayetteville and Wilmington along with a new location in Charleston, South Carolina.
Pro forma for TowneBank’s pending acquisition of Old Point Financial Corporation (expected to close Sept. 1, 2025) and the proposed acquisition of Dogwood, the combined company would have total assets of approximately $22 billion, loans of approximately $16 billion and deposits of approximately $19 billion at close of the transactions. TowneBank expects the acquisition of Dogwood to be approximately 8.0% accretive to 2027E earnings per share with fully phased-in cost savings on a GAAP basis.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, common shareholders of Dogwood will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.700 shares of TowneBank common stock for each outstanding share of Dogwood common stock. This implies a deal value per share of $25.04 or approximately $476.2 million based on TowneBank’s 15-day average closing stock price of $35.77 on Aug. 18, 2025.
Steve Jones, CEO of Dogwood, will continue in a key leadership role within the combined company. He will join TowneBank as president of its North Carolina and South Carolina banking operations and be a member of the TowneBank Corporate Management team.
“It has been my pleasure to know Steve for a number of years and we have always admired the great job
PHOTOS
PROVIDED BY TOWNEBANK
The transaction is expected to close in early 2026 and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval, as well as the approval of Dogwood’s shareholders.
he and his team have done building Dogwood State Bank. We are excited to have Steve and his talented teammates join hands and hearts with our Towne family to take our Main Street Bank forward in the fast-growing North Carolina and South Carolina markets,” said Executive Chairman of TowneBank G. Robert Aston, Jr. in a press release.
Extensive due diligence was performed by the management teams of TowneBank and Dogwood in regard to the transaction. The definitive agreement was approved by the boards of directors of TowneBank and Dogwood. The transaction is expected to close in early 2026 and is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval, as well as the approval of Dogwood’s shareholders.
“I just felt like we got to a size that it’d be a good opportunity to partner
with somebody that had, like cultures, like products and services. And this is a perfect fit, in my opinion, for Dogwood. It gives us a bit of a bigger balance sheet. And they do offer more products than Dogwood did. They have a property casualty insurance business, [a] mortgage business, so it gives our bankers more tools in their toolkit as they try to serve our clients,” remarked Jones.
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as the financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to TowneBank in the transaction. Piper Sandler & Co. served as the financial advisor and Williams Mullen served as legal counsel to Dogwood in the transaction.
Dogwood State Bank opened its first branch in Fayetteville in February of 2023 at 225 Green St. Dogwood State Bank’s Regional President for Eastern North Carolina Greg Reames and the rest of the local team will stay intact and continue to serve the Fayetteville area throughout the transition and as part of the TowneBank company come 2026. This will be TowneBank’s first time operating in Fayetteville, N.C.
“This is going to be a win-win for shareholders, our employees and our customers. So it's a very exciting day, no doubt about it, for Dogwood. It'll be a great way to start our new chapter together with TowneBank,” concluded Jones.
2504 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
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Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com
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Ellie Rhoades events@bizfayetteville.com
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Kate Griffin
Thomas Manning
Brian Miner
Rachel Townsend
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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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Ihave now completed three decades on Earth. And I don’t know how to feel about that. It’s one thing to be told you’re getting old by your great-aunt Gertrude, or to pass major life milestones like graduating from high school or college, but there’s something about hearing the music you listened to in high school playing in the grocery store that really helps it set in.
This past weekend I celebrated my 30th birthday and I am now, as my great-grandmother used to say, “thirty, purdy and sturdy.”
Along with celebrating with family and friends, it was a nice milestone to mark and celebrate. It’s wild to me that my generation are the new adults.
Along with celebrating my 30th, I also celebrated three years with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal (GFBJ) in July!
It’s been three wonderful years
new features coming soon. It occurs to me that a lot of people don’t know my background in journalism.
I’ve been a journalist since 2018 when I joined as an intern at my college TV Station AppTV. I was able to join what was then known as The Appalachian Update, a news branch for the station. I served as an anchor and later as a reporter as the branch continued to grow and develop into what would become the Appalachian Weekly News, joining forces with the student newspaper, The Appalachian. During my time with AWN, I reported on things like politics, the homecoming parade, local protests and music festivals.
After I graduated in 2019, I joined a small NBC and Fox affiliate station in Minot, N.D. called KMOT. While there, I reported all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (which I would not recommend) and served as a multimedia journalist, anchor and producer. I’ve discussed how I made the switch from broadcast
news to print and what a short turnaround that is. The truth is, I miss broadcast journalism, just a bit, and am looking forward to getting back to my roots!
That’s all I’ll say for now, but you can follow our Facebook page www. facebook.com/bizfayetteville to keep an eye out for updates!
I hope you enjoy this issue. We have a new family owned business in Cameron providing a space for sport lovers of all levels (page 10), we traveled to Sampson County for the launch of their new economic development plan voted into effect unanimously by the Sampson County Board of Commissioners (Page 12) and of course our upcoming Power Breakfast event highlighted on page 5.
GREATER FAYETTEVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL’S THIRD QUARTERLY POWER BREAKFAST BRINGS TOGETHER EDUCATION LEADERS
Fayetteville’s leaders, innovators and educators are invited to join the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal as we return to the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Tuesday, Sept. 16, for our third Power Breakfast in 2025.
At the next Power Breakfast titled “Higher Ed Impact; Bridging the Education & Business Gap,” we will be speaking with local education leaders on the impacts of higher education when meeting the needs of the regional workforce.
“In the past few years, higher education has been scrutinized more heavily. More and more focus has been placed on its relevance in relation to job placement for graduates and how that intersects with a tightening workforce,” shared Marty Cayton, publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. “In this Power Breakfast, we’ll hear from the higher education leaders from our area on how their institutions are handling these changes and making a significant difference in our local economy and business community.”
PANELISTS INCLUDE:
DARRELL T. ALLISON
Chancellor, Fayetteville State University
Darrell T. Allison is the 12th chancellor and CEO of Fayetteville State University, the second oldest public institution in the University of North Carolina System. Allison has led Fayetteville State University as chancellor since March 2021, driving record enrollment of 7,100+ students, securing $210+ million for capital improvements and recently acquiring a four-year commitment from Lenovo for free laptops for all incoming freshmen (2024-2027). He doubled research funding to $33 million and expanded military programs, making FSU the nation’s largest HBCU for military-affiliated enrollment.
HIGHER ED
BRIDGING THE EDUCATION & BUSINESS GAP
DR. MARK SORRELLS
President, Fayetteville Technical Community College
Dr. Mark A. Sorrells serves as the president of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). Previously, he was the senior vice president of Academic and Student Services.
Prior to coming to FTCC, Sorrells was the senior vice president at the Golden LEAF Foundation (GLF) where he led statewide workforce and education grant initiatives for the $1.2 billion foundation and assisted in developing statewide workforce strategies for the life science and aerospace manufacturing sectors. earned his MBA from the University of Tennessee and EdD at East Carolina University. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
DR. ALEXANDER “SANDY” STEWART
President, Sandhills Community College
Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Stewart, a Moore County native with a Ph.D. in crop science from NC State, became the third president of Sandhills Community College in 2023. Previously, he served as assistant commissioner of Agricultural Services at NCDA&CS, overseeing 18 research stations in partnership with NC State and NC A&T. As SCC president, he has prioritized access and regional engagement—launching the Access Advocates initiative and forming workforce partnerships with companies like Spiritus Systems. A farm-raised leader with strong local ties, Stewart is dedicated to student opportunity, equity and advancing Sandhills as a hub for education and economic growth. and sponsors.
Secure your spot at the table to hear directly from college and university presidents as they share how their institutions are preparing students to meet the evolving needs of our workforce.
DR. STANLEY T. WEARDEN
President, Methodist University
Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., became the fifth president of Methodist University in 2019. With nearly 40 years in higher education, he previously held leadership roles at Columbia College Chicago and Kent State University and taught journalism for two decades. He holds degrees from Wheeling Jesuit, West Virginia University and UNC Chapel Hill. At MU he has worked to boost student success, expand online learning, support military students, build community college partnerships and grow the endowment. In 2023 he was named one of Higher Education Digest’s “Most Visionary Education Leaders” for his bold and forward-thinking leadership.
Tickets are on sale now at fayettevillepowerbreakfast.com.
Don’t miss this opportunity to network, enjoy breakfast and be part of an important discussion shaping the future of our region.
The Strength of Advice®
>> By Faith Hatton
From
WAWA, page 1
partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, parade of fuel and electric vehicle milestones and a “Hoagies for Heroes” hoagie-building competition honoring first responders.
“We’re thrilled to premier the new travel center format in Hope Mills and bring Wawa’s fresh food, beverages and convenience to local customers while serving a need to the community, travelers and professional drivers! This historic milestone kicks off the next chapter of our growth as we debut a new store format and prepare to bring it to additional locations in Ohio and Indiana in the coming months,” said Brian Schaller, president of Wawa in a press release.
Featuring over 8,000 square feet of space, the travel center offers Wawa’s signature food menu, fuel for passenger vehicles and a high-speed diesel fuel court for the needs of professional tractor-trailer drivers. Expanded fuel features include six diesel fuel lanes, the ability to accept Over The Road (OTR) payments and 20 fuel spots for passenger drivers. Other amenities include a CAT weigh station and free parking for tractortrailers.
“We now finally have access to professional drivers. Our first fuel store opened in 1996. Today, we have over 970 fuel stores, but it’s all what we call the front court offer for light duty vehicles. What we’re calling the back court caters to professional drivers driving heavy duty, medium duty big rig tractortrailers. It’s designed with high speed diesel lanes where you can fuel from both sides of the vehicle, so it’s a brand new fueling concept for us,” said Director of EV Charging and New Fuel Business for Wawa Vincent Cipollone. “This store is unique as it’s the home of 24 Tesla superchargers, our biggest install to date. So chainwide, over 1100 stores, this will be the 218th store with EV charging.”
Excitement for the new fuel offerings was apparent the day before at the Taste of Wawa sneak peek event. To highlight the features of this new facility, the Wawa team invited truckers and their families from across the country along with YouTubers Alex and Jena Mai AKA Mutha Trucker and Tommy, Brannon and Brian from the YouTube channel SEMI Casual to have the honors of being the first to
The grand opening also included the Hoagies for Heroes fundraising event, where both the Hope Mills Police Department and Hope Mills Fire Department went head to head to build sandwiches and win a donation towards a charity of their choice. The Hope Mills Police Department took home the title and $1,000 for the Hope Mills Police Foundation. The Hope Mills Fire Department also took home $1,000 for local nonprofit the Alms House in Hope Mills.
As part of the Taste of Wawa event, Wawa Inc. announced the launch of their Lending a Helping Hoagie program. During their first week, Wawa gave back with a portion of proceeds from every hoagie sold, up to $2,500, to Second Harvest Food Bank in Fayetteville.
fuel up their trucks during a “First Fuel” ceremony and also have the “First Honk” in the fuel bay.
Alex Mai, an experienced truck driver with over 10 years as an owner-operator in the industry, shared his excitement for this new resource for other drivers.
“All these drivers are owneroperators, family based, started from nothing, and they built incredible lives for themselves, and for me to be able to have the opportunity to invite them to be here and have that first honk. It was really amazing. I’m appreciative,” shared Alex. “The fact that Wawa provides free truck
parking for them as well, it’s such a big need right now in the trucking industry. When my drivers and my friends walked in here, and they’re greeting everybody and make them feel special, it makes it feel like a second home, and that’s what’s important, because as drivers, we’re away from our families, so we need a second home.”
The addition of the travel center was also celebrated by the Town of Hope Mills who just a year ago broke ground on the site on Aug. 29.
“I wanted to acknowledge that this partnership, this journey, started a year ago. I’m proud to wear the lanyard from the mountain of dirt
from a year ago when the Wawa team selected Hope Mills to be the first travel center. That’s an honor,” shared Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers. “Anytime a business comes to a community, they create jobs, you give back to the economy. There they are a steward and a partner of the community. They could have put this anywhere, but they put it here.”
The Wawa Travel Center is open 24 hours seven days a week. To learn more about the location’s offerings you can go online to www.wawa.com/travel-center.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Clockwise: Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers and his wife Bambi are pictured with Wawa mascot Wally Goose. Bellflowers thanked the community for their support in bringing the project to Hope Mills.
ACHIEVERS
Lumbee Guaranty Bank honors the retirement of Director Arnold Locklear
Lumbee Guaranty Bank proudly announces the retirement of ARNOLD LOCKLEAR, who has served on the bank’s board of directors for nearly 50 years, including approximately 40 years as chairman of the Board.
Mr. Locklear began his tenure during the bank’s early years, when it was founded to meet the needs of the underbanked Lumbee people in and around Pembroke. Under his steady leadership, the bank grew into a trusted financial institution that now serves a diverse customer base of small businesses and consumers across southeastern North Carolina.
During his decades of service, Mr. Locklear guided Lumbee Guaranty Bank through times of change, growth and opportunity. He is widely respected for his sound judgment and unwavering commitment to community banking. His leadership helped shape the bank’s culture of service and strengthen its position as a locally owned and operated institution.
In a resolution unanimously adopted by the board of directors, the bank expressed its “heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation” to Mr. Locklear, recognizing his “extraordinary service, visionary leadership and unwavering dedication.”
“Mr. Locklear has been the cornerstone of our board for generations,” said Sybil Bullard, current board chair. “His impact is felt not only within our organization, but throughout the communities we serve. He has left a legacy of leadership and service that will endure for years to come.”
The bank commemorated Mr. Locklear’s retirement with a formal presentation and framed resolution honoring his service.
Jennifer
McFadyen Hammond appointed executive director of FTCC Foundation
JENNIFER MCFADYEN HAMMOND has been appointed executive director of FTCC Foundation.
Hammond is a lifelong resident of Cumberland County and a graduate of Terry Sanford High School. She holds a bachelor's degree in ac-
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.”
counting from N.C. State University. She most recently served as manager of business services for the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and brings extensive experience in finance and nonprofit management. Hammond is passionate about workforce development, creating meaningful community connections and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to join FTCC Foundation, and to Sandy Ammons, our staff and our board of directors for their steadfast commitment to expanding access, resources and opportunities for FTCC students,” Hammond said in a press release. “FTCC benefits every member of our community through its dedication to education, workforce development and economic growth and I am honored to help support our students in achieving their educational and career goals.”
DistiNCtly Fayetteville appoints new director of sales & sports commission
DistiNCtly Fayetteville, the destination marketing organization for greater Fayetteville, North Carolina, has announced the appointment of ROBERT COX as director of sales and sports commission. This strategic hire underscores the organization’s commitment to elevating Cumberland County’s profile as a distinct destination for conventions, sporting events and leisure travel.
As director of sales and sports commission, Cox will lead DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s efforts to recruit and support meetings and sports-related travel and tourism. He will collab-
orate with local venues, hotels and community partners to drive economic impact through events and tournaments. Cox brings more than two decades of experience in destination marketing and sports tourism. His career spans leadership roles at several North Carolina destination marketing organizations – including Duplin County Tourism, the Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, Carteret County Tourism and the Burlington/Alamance County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We are thrilled to welcome Robert to the DistiNCtly Fayetteville team,” said Devin Heath, CEO of DistiNCtly Fayetteville, in a press release. “His deep knowledge of North Carolina’s tourism landscape and his extensive experience leading sales efforts across multiple destinations in our state make him an ideal fit for this role.”
Accel Innovation Corp. welcomes new assistant facility security officer
Accel Innovation Corporation, a Pinehurst based company that specializes in business and management consulting, is proud to announce a new addition to their team. CONNIE EVERLY is joining the company as a new assistant facility security officer (AFSO).
Everly’s previous experience includes working similar positions for companies such as YRCI , Three Saints Bay, LLC and Bennett Aerospace, Inc. in Wade, N.C.
According to her LinkedIn profile, her role as an alternate facility security officer has been
instrumental in streamlining the background investigation process for multiple key government contracts. Her expertise in managing security processes has honed her ability to provide support and guidance throughout these critical operations.
The company shared more about her and their excitement to work with her in a LinkedIn post stating:
“Connie brings a wealth of experience in industrial security, having served in key roles supporting the Defense Industrial Base, managing personnel security clearances and ensuring compliance with DCSA’s National Industrial Security Program requirements. Her deep expertise in defense contracting, operations, security program management and compliance makes her a tremendous asset to our team and our clients. Welcome aboard, Connie! We’re thrilled to have you on the team.”
KS Bank welcomes Travis B. Bailey as chief administrative officer, executive vice president
KS Bank, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of TRAVIS B. BAILEY to its senior executive management team as the chief administrative officer. In this role, Bailey will lead the bank’s retail branches and management and ensure that KS Bank continues to deliver exceptional service and build strong community relationships.
“I am honored to join KS Bank at such an exciting time,” said Bailey in a press release.
“The Bank’s commitment to its employees, customers and communities is something I deeply admire. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to build on that legacy and serve our markets with excellence.”
A native of Harnett County and a graduate of Campbell University, Bailey brings more than 20 years of experience in community banking. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for building high-performing teams, fostering customer-first service and developing meaningful connections in the communities he serves.
Locklear
Hammond
Cox
Everly
Bailey
>> By Stephanie Meador
Teeing up for success
THE BOGEY BROTHERS BRINGS MULTI-SPORT SIMULATORS TO CAMERON
Outdoor sports are great, until the weather isn’t. Whether there’s a storm blowing through, a heat wave or a cold spell – or if you just don’t feel like chasing down golf balls – consider popping over to The Bogey Brothers and practicing your swing in the comfort of a controlled climate and in the presence of good company. The Bogey Brothers is a family-owned and operated entertainment venue with multi-sport simulators, perfect for avid golf fans or those interested in picking up a club and taking a swing at it.
Brothers Brandon and John Farrell first came up with the business idea in 2022. Lifelong residents of the Sanford area, they wanted to build a business based on their passion for golf. After two years of planning and searching for the perfect location, they opened their doors in October 2024. When it came to choosing the location, Brandon shared that they wanted to be in the middle of a growing area.
“We grew up in Sanford. So [this area,] it’s not far from Sanford. This just seems like a growing area. You got the military families and everything’s getting built here. So we just thought it’d be good to go ahead and get in here while it’s still the beginning of it. I think it’s really going to grow in the next five years,” remarked Brandon.
Located at 2646 NC-87 in Cameron, in a 4000 sq. ft. building, The Bogey Brothers houses four simulator bays and a full bar serving drinks and snacks. Beyond just golf, the simulator bays, powered by Full Swing, allow guests to play a number of games like soccer, football, baseball, lacrosse, tic-tac-toe, connect four and more. One of the favorite features of the simulator bays is the ability to track stats like ball speed, club head speed, club face angle and spin rate. The simulators are available to book by the half-hour or hour, with all equipment provided, though guests are welcome to bring their own clubs or bats.
The venue is designed for flexibility and fun, accommodating groups of six to eight per booth, with kids’ parties capable of running larger. Booking for private parties is also available. As the business grows,
Brandon shared that they hope to offer golf lessons and to offer camps for kids during the winter breaks.
The Bogey Brothers bar features a rotating selection of local brews and a simple food menu that’s set to expand. Recent offerings include brews from Hugger Mugger in Sanford and North South Brewing Company in Fayetteville. Guests are also permitted to bring in outside food.
The Bogey Brothers also hosts seasonal league tournaments. The league
Above: The Bogey Brothers, located in Cameron, N.C., has four multi-sport simulator bays that promise fun for all ages. Whether it’s your first time hitting a golf ball or you frequent the fairway, this venue offers a new way to experience the sport. In addition to golf, the simulator also allows you to play other sports like soccer, football, baseball and more.
Left: The Bogey Brothers is owned and operated by brothers Brandon (pictured) and John Farrell. They opened the space in October of 2024 and have plans for expanding their offerings in their second year of business.
goes for nine weeks, with participants playing nine holes a week. The cost is $150, and winners can receive gift cards to other local businesses or free rounds of golf. They’re also doing a fantasy football league for the fall. That is free to enter.
The first year in business has brought its share of challenges and learning curves.
“I’ve always done construction. I had my own construction business. [Then] we went into this and everything was new…navigating, like trying to get people in the door, I think that's the worst thing is [figuring out how] to advertise and to reach people…by far the best advertisement is word of mouth…the biggest thing is the drop offs, you don’t see it coming, like trying to see the trends
coming. I guess that’s the biggest challenge,” admitted Brandon.
With a year of business under their belts, the team behind The Bogey Brothers is ready to keep pushing forward towards new heights. From new events to additional staff and expanded food options, the business will continue to grow and evolve.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer, a family looking for a fun outing or someone just curious about the sport, The Bogey Brothers offers a welcoming, laid-back environment.
The Bogey Brothers hours are 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Learn more about The Bogey Brothers at www. thebogeybrothers.com.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ
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.
Strategy for Sampson
SAMPSON COUNTY APPROVES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN
Sampson County has unveiled and adopted a new three-year economic development strategic plan designed to tackle pressing challenges and lay the foundation for a more resilient, prosperous future for its residents.
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, the Sampson County Board of Commissioners, along with Sampson County Economic Development’s Ray Jordan, met with the community to learn the ins and outs of their local economy.
Like many rural communities, Sampson County is navigating key transitions, including shifts in population, evolving residential growth patterns and the need for a more diverse economy. These changes present both challenges and opportunities. The new strategic plan provides a clear, actionable roadmap to build on the county’s strengths, diversify the economy, strengthen infrastructure and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
The plan also reflects a community-identified goal to foster a forward-looking, collaborative approach to economic growth—safeguarding core values, preserving local traditions and the county’s rich agricultural heritage. This balanced approach is designed to benefit both current residents and future generations.
Work on the plan began in early 2025, with community surveys going out to find out residents’ thoughts about what the community needed.
“More than 400 residents participated through in person workshops, one-on-one interviews and online surveys, ensuring that the voices of our citizens are truly reflected in the vision of our future. This level of engagement is what makes this a community driven vision. Tonight is the culmination of all that hard work,” said Chuck Spell, chair of the Sampson County Economic Development Advisory Board.
The planning process was led by the team at Creative Economic Development Consulting, under the leadership of Crystal Morphis, and guided by a nine-member steering committee who met frequently over five months. Morphis shared the results of her research during the event including the wants and needs received from surveys.
“One of the things we asked was,
‘What’s the most important investment the county could make for long term sustainable growth?’ And the number one answer [was] education and workforce development. That aligns perfectly with a company’s needs for a long term talent pipeline. But number two [was] quality of life amenities. We define that as retail, dining, shopping amenities. So you all want quality of place. We call it place making in economic development” shared Morphis.
Developed through broad collaboration, the plan outlines five strategic goals including:
Connect Sampson County, municipalities and businesses to advance community and economic development.
Facilitate the retention, development and attraction of talent.
Create new opportunities for business development by expanding sites and buildings.
Attract, retain, scale and support start-up businesses that will expand job opportunities.
Elevate the economic development organization to be a leader in southeast North Carolina.
“From residents and business leaders to public officials and community stakeholders, many contributed their input to the creation of this plan. This plan provides a roadmap to move from challenges to opportunities,” said Allen McLamb, chair of the Sampson County Board of Commissioners. “By working together across government, business and community partners, we can create the kind of growth that strengthens our tax base, provides good jobs and improves quality of life for everyone in Sampson County.”
As part of this process, Sampson County also adopted new Vision and Mission Statements for Sampson County Economic Development to guide future efforts:
VISION STATEMENT:
A prosperous future powered by strategic partnerships, where economic growth enhances quality of life and preserves the unique character of our community.
MISSION STATEMENT:
To drive sustainable economic growth by retaining and attracting businesses, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding community capacity and promoting the county as a vibrant place to live, work and invest.
By tracking progress and remaining adaptable to changing economic conditions, the strategic plan will help coordinate resources, guide investments and build a stronger, more resilient Sampson County for generations to come. Implementation will be led by Sampson County Economic Development and supported through broad collaboration among public, private and nonprofit partners.
The full 54- page strategic plan and presentation can be found online at www.sampsonedc.com.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Residents came together at Heritage Hall inside of the Sampson County Exposition Center to see the result of surveys, regional research and to see what the plan entailed.
Safety first!
FTCC & CUMBERLAND COUNTY HOST 7TH ANNUAL FOOD SAFETY FORUM
On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the Environmental Health Division of Cumberland County Department of Public Health and the Culinary Art’s Department of Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) partnered to host the 7th Annual Food Safety Forum.
Held in the FTCC Culinary Dining Room, the event invited guests from a wide range of industries including food manufacturing, restaurants & catering, agriculture & farming, government agencies, education & research and retail food service.
This year’s theme was “Bringing Safety to the Table: Advancing Best Practices in Food Handling, Production and Policy.” The event focused on highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to safe guarding every step of the food chain.
“I am incredibly proud of our Environmental Health team for successfully facilitating the 7th Annual Food Safety Forum (FSF). This event brought together experts, industry partners and community members to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and advance our shared mission to protect public health,” said Deputy Health Director for Cumberland County Tamra Morris. “The dedication, collaboration and passion demonstrated by our staff and stakeholders truly reflect our mission to ensure the highest standards of food safety for our community.”
The Forum featured 10 comprehensive education courses taught by state and local health leadership. Topics included high risk foods, allergens and how to handle food related complaints.
“Every year, there’s different trends that come up. But there’s always those basic factors. You have food safety, you have hand washing, cross contamination, and we’re always hitting those major risk factors that always affect our restaurants, and those are the things that are ongoing training. We cannot emphasize enough how food borne illnesses can be stopped by the simplest things like washing your hands correctly, cooking foods to the right temperature and controlling cross contamination,” shared Daniel Ortiz, environmental health director at Cumberland County Health Department.
As part of the partnership to bring this event to Fayetteville, FTCC was able to bring out local talent, as well as their own hospitality students and staff to showcase their skills in three education courses offered to attendees.
Course 1: Judy’s Shrimp & Grits -
A quick cooking segment featuring local Chef and Restauranteur Judy Cage (Chef Judy), owner of The Ville Wings & Bar and Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles. During the segment Chef Judy was able to whip up a southern classic, shrimp and grits, providing a step-by-step tutorial, tips and tricks and answers to questions from watchers.
Course 2: Botanical Infusions with Truffles taught by Owner of Ellie’s LLC, and FTCC Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Linsie Locklear. This herbology course highlighted ways to utilize edible botanicals to add flavor to dishes.
Course 3: Mixology taught by FTCC Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Alex Fochi. This course focused on some of the fun chemical reactions achievable in the art of bartending. Offering two signature mocktails for the event, a Cherry Blossom mocktail
science that goes into bartending.
“We chefs were asked to make a proposal, prepare the demo, the recipes, the menu, the whole demo flow. We were given the parameters of how many people we would have and how much time we would have. This is one of those events where it’s all hands on deck. I pulled two of my students that have been involved in mixology from the beginning, so I figured it would be a good way for them to start the semester, and they have fun,” shared Chef Fochi.
The day wrapped with a tour of FTCC’s mobile food truck used by their catering class which is the capstone for culinary students.
Led by FTCC Culinary Arts Instructor Ja’Maul Johnson, the fully functional food truck includes a hot box, sandwich station, four-burner stove, oven, grill, griddle, deep fryer and fry station. The food truck also has a two-well system, a hot air system for keeping food warm, and a large prep area with multiple refrigerators and freezers.
The food truck is active primarily on the FTCC campus and at key events and locations around the
community during the spring semester. Students are responsible for the menu, prepping, cooking and running the truck to serve customers.
“Right now we are trying to work on starting the new class so that students can work [on the food truck] in the fall, but it is only in service when we’re in classes,” shared Johnson. “Currently in the catering class there are about 18 [students], but I think we’re going to move it down to about 16, so that there will be about eight on the food truck–eight to 10 per rotation. We’ll be somewhere for about two and a half hours, and we’ll rotate them so that they get a chance to be in different areas on the food truck.”
Johnson shared that for now, getting the food truck out serving the community as often as possible is a priority to help provide students hands-on training so they can pursue their own business goals.
“We want to, because we want to be able to get the certificate for food trucks in our culinary department. Right now, we only use it in the spring, when I use it for catering, but I want to be able to use it in the fall, so that we are on campus, so that students can have food trucks here four days a week. We would like to be in that rotation, because this is what students are trying to do,” shared Johnson.
Johnson shared that the FTCC food truck team is working on appearing in some staple Fayetteville events in the near future.
Learn more about the FTCC Culinary Arts department at www.faytechcc.edu/ academics/business-programs/ culinary-arts/
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ
Chef Judy Cage was able to whip up a southern classic, shrimp and grits, providing a step-by-step tutorial, tips and tricks and answers to questions from watchers
A toast to healthcare
LOCAL HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET HOLDS ‘TOAST OF THE TOWN’ EVENT TO SUPPORT CRITICAL FUNDRAISING PUSH
The economics of providing healthcare to uninsured adults in Cumberland County present a stark challenge: significant operational costs with zero government funding and a patient population that, by definition, cannot pay for services.
For The CARE Clinic, a 32-yearold nonprofit addressing this gap, financial sustainability depends entirely on private support—making the 25th annual Toast of the Town fundraising event on Sept. 18 a crucial component of the organization’s annual budget.
This year, the clinic’s flagship fundraiser features a local wine and spirits tasting event at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. The organization’s most significant annual revenue opportunity, the event combines ticket sales with silent auction proceeds.
The clinic serves a specific niche in the regional healthcare landscape— uninsured adults who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance or direct-pay medical services. This population often includes small business owners, independent contractors and employees of companies that don’t offer health benefits.
Economic data suggests this demographic represents a substantial portion of Cumberland County residents. The clinic’s patient load indicates ongoing demand for safety-net services, particularly as healthcare costs continue outpacing wage growth in many sectors.
Nicole Ryan, who leads development and marketing efforts for the clinic, describes the donor funding model as both the organization’s greatest strength and its primary vulnerability. The all-volunteer clinical staff keeps personnel costs minimal, but facility expenses, medical supplies and operational overhead require consistent revenue streams that traditional healthcare reimbursement models don’t provide.
“The reality is straightforward— without events like this, we simply couldn’t maintain operations,” Ryan said. “Every aspect of what we do depends on community support because payments from our patient population can't sustain the organization financially.”
Ryan’s approach to development reflects broader trends in nonprofit healthcare funding, where organizations increasingly rely on sophisticated fundraising operations rather than traditional grant-based models. Her background includes work with national nonprofits, bringing professional development practices to an organization that historically operated with more informal fundraising approaches.
“We’re competing for philanthropic dollars with every other worthy cause in the region,” Ryan noted. “That means we need to demonstrate clear impact and build genuine relationships with supporters, not just ask for money once a year. Sustainable operations require diversified funding that includes individual donors and local business partnerships.”
Ryan emphasizes that the organization’s volunteer model creates unique value propositions for both donors and the healthcare professionals who staff evening clinics. Licensed volunteers gain community service opportunities while maintaining their regular practices, and donors can see
direct connections between contributions and patient care.
“Our operational efficiency is actually quite impressive when you analyze the numbers,” Ryan explained. “The percentage of every dollar that goes directly to patient services is higher than most healthcare organizations because we don't have typical personnel costs.”
The Sept. 18 Toast of the Town event invites participation from local business leaders and community members who can contribute both financially and through professional networks. Ryan’s strategy involves building long-term relationships rather than focusing solely on immediate donations, recognizing that sustainable nonprofit healthcare requires consistent support from multiple sources.
Corporate sponsorships represent a growing component of the clinic’s revenue strategy. Local businesses gain community visibility while supporting workforce health—particularly relevant given that many employees of area companies likely fall into the clinic’s target demographic.
The organization’s volunteer committees handle various operational aspects, from event planning to clinical oversight, creating multiple entry points for community involvement. This structure helps build stakeholder investment while distributing workload across committed volunteers.
For the regional business community, The CARE Clinic represents both a community asset and a potential workforce benefit. Employees with access to basic healthcare services are more likely to address health issues before they become serious problems that affect productivity.
The clinic’s evening hours accommodate working patients who cannot take time off for medical appointments, addressing a practical barrier that often prevents low-income adults from accessing healthcare. This scheduling approach recognizes the economic realities facing both patients and volunteer healthcare providers.
Ryan’s marketing strategy emphasizes measurable outcomes and community impact rather than emotional appeals alone. The approach reflects professional nonprofit management practices designed to build sustainable support from business-oriented donors who want to see concrete results from their investments.
The September fundraiser serves as both revenue generator and community awareness campaign, introducing new potential supporters to the clinic’s mission while maintaining relationships with existing donors. The event’s success will directly impact the organization’s capacity to serve patients throughout the coming year.
“This isn't charity in the traditional sense,” Ryan concluded. “It’s a community investment in healthcare infrastructure that benefits everyone when people can address health issues before they become emergencies that strain the entire system.”
Toast of the Town is scheduled for Sept. 18, 6-10 p.m. at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Tickets are $100. Information about sponsorship opportunities and volunteer positions is available through The CARE Clinic. Learn more at www. thecareclinic.org/event/25th-annualtoast-of-the-town.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CARE CLINIC
For local nonprofit The CARE Clinic, financial sustainability depends entirely on private support—making the 25th annual Toast of the Town fundraising event on Sept. 18 a crucial component of the organization’s annual budget.
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
ON MY GRIND FILMS LLC
102 Ryan Cir
Spring Lake Agent: OMAR CUNNINGHAM
Generation Healing Generations United 537 Bayshore Dr
Generation Construction LLC 439 Westwood Shopping Ctr PMB 133 (Shp)
Fayetteville Agent: Jerome Deon Stywall
Wannamaker Stays LLC 2057 Stonewash Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Devin J Wannamaker
Laugh until dawn LLC
30 Dutch Loop For t Bragg Agent: Jeffrey Francisco
Styles By Keyz LLC 100 Hay St Ste 704
Fayetteville Agent: Keyonna T Jones-Milner
PRMackNC LLC
4004 Quar ry Hollow Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Paul McAlister
JD's Direct Freight LLC
6100 Lochview Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Joseph D Melvin Jr
Reflective Vibes Photography LLC
1431 Mathau Ct Apt C
Fayetteville Agent: Charay M Bellamy
ATNB Trucking LLC
5704 Crepe Myr tle Dr
Hope Mills Agent: Carlton Carney Jr
UNC & NC State Play-by-Play.
The Radio stations of Andrulonis Media are carrying every game for the UNC Tarheels on Carolina Country 100.1 WFAY and the NC State Wolfpack on The River / 106.5 WMRV.
