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There was a full house on Dec. 4 for the NC Department of Environmental Quality public hearing on the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s request for an interbasin transfer certificate to transfer up to 6.17 million gallons per day of water from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin.Around 50 community leaders and residents spoke in opposition to the request, including Cumberland County Commissioner Chair Kirk deViere with Commissioner Glenn Adams, Pavan Patel and Henry Tyson, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, Hope Mills Mayor Jesse Bellflowers, FCEDC President/CEO Robert Van Geons, Greater Fayetteville Chamber Government Relations Committee Chair Peter Pappas and many more. NC State Senator Tom McInnis and NC State Representative Diane Wheatley submitted written comments.
Speakers emphasized the importance of opposing this transfer, which would significantly impact the Cape Fear River Basin and the communities that depend on it as their main source of safe and reliable drinking water. The transfer of moving water would reduce river flow, threaten water availability and potentially damage vital infrastructure.
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber encouraged all of their members to attend and submitted a resolution and press release to the NCDEQ representatives in opposition to the transfer request.
Only one of the over 250 people in attendance spoke in favor of the request.
For more information, including the next two public hearings in Pittsboro and Raleigh, visit https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/11/04/ncdeq-division-water-resources-hold-public-hearings-draft-environmental-impact-statement-fuquay.
City of Fayetteville
The Fayetteville City Council was sworn in on Monday, Dec. 1, at J.W. Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University. Council member Derrick Thompson was voted (7-3) as the Mayor Pro Tem and will perform mayoral duties in the potential absence of Mayor Mitch Colvin. New council members sworn in included Stephon Ferguson, Antonio Jones and Shaun McMillan. Returning council members included Malik Davis, D.J. Haire, Lynne Greene, Derrick Thompson, Brenda McNair and Deno Hondros.
The council on Nov. 24 voted to oppose the Cape Fear River Basin transfer request and also approved remaining ARPA interest earnings to go to the electric bus grant match for purchasing new electric buses and supporting infrastructure ($1.67 million), the Maker’s Space build-out ($800,000) and a grant match reserve fund positioning the city to maximize external funding opportunities ($222,998). The allocation was chosen because the funds were a one-time source of money, and these projects offer lasting benefits to the community.
Cumberland County
On Dec. 1, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 to re-elect Commissioner Kirk deViere as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and 5-2 to re-elect Commissioner Veronica Jones as Vice Chairwoman.
New Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley was announced on Dec. 3. County officials said Bradley brings “25 years of combined experience in government, nonprofit leadership, and public administration” and will start Dec. 15.
In other news
Cumberland County Delegation members NC State Senator Tom McInnis and NC State Representative Diane Wheatley were recognized by the North Carolina Chamber as 2025 Jobs Champions for their pro-business votes in North Carolina this year. The bills used for this objective assessment were organized into three pillars: Education and Talent Supply, Competitive Business Climate, and Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, which were the most consequential to the state’s business community.
National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee®, a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will allow middle school students (6th, 7th and 8th grades) to participate for the first time in North Carolina this year, and Fayetteville, through the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, was chosen as a regional site. Applications for students are officially open, and students have until Feb. 3, 2026.
For more information about the program, including educator resources and how to participate in the 2026 competition, visit www.faybiz.com/civicsbee.
About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.
(Photo: Newly elected council member Derrick Thompson is sworn in as the new Mayor Pro Tem. Council member Thompson will perform mayoral duties in the potential absence of the mayor. Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville, NC Government's Facebook Page)