In recent state budget news, Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall announced in a joint press conference on May 12 that a budget agreement had been reached. The framework budget deal averages 8% raises for teachers and 3% for state employees. It also delays scheduled personal income tax cuts and includes a November ballot measure to cap future tax rates to 3.5%. Budget writers are currently hashing out the finer appropriations details for specific state agencies.

City of Fayetteville
The Fayetteville City Council voted to begin exploring a feasibility study for a downtown convention center.
Mayor Mitch Colvin said that Fayetteville is one of the only major cities in North Carolina without a dedicated downtown convention center, and after discussion, the council directed staff to gather feasibility details, including potential costs, locations and previous county studies for building a new downtown convention center.
The council also engaged in evaluations regarding municipal funding strategies for major local events. The core focus of this evaluation centered on "910 Future Fest", a community event proposed for September by the Fayetteville NEXT Advisory Commission. Council members specifically reviewed "activation days" leading up to core music and cultural events, mapping out how the city allocates its promotional and structural budgets relative to projected tourist attendance.
At the May 4 meeting, the council reviewed its $230,000 annual contract with the Cool Spring Downtown District. The City contracts with Cool Spring Downtown District to manage and activate the Downtown Municipal Service District as an Arts and Entertainment-focused district. The City has a separate $60,000 contract with the non-profit for downtown ambassadors.
City Manager Doug Hewett presented a recommended operating budget of $322.8 million, including a $0.01 tax increase to help maintain services. It funds public services featuring a $120 million public safety investment, new mental health response units, a 4% employee pay raise and a $10 solid waste fee adjustment. The plan also calls for a property tax rate increase of 0.1 cents per $100 valuation, to $.4595 cents, which city officials note is still one of the lowest in the City’s history.
Residents are encouraged to review the fiscal year 2027 budget at FayettevilleNC.gov/budget.

Cumberland County
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has focused on a proposed pause on data centers, ongoing fiscal planning and also looked at convention center space.
The board initiated discussions regarding a temporary moratorium on data center construction. This pause aims to give the county time to develop specific zoning and operational regulations, as Cumberland County currently has none in place.
During a public hearing on May 18, over 20 community members spoke, with a vast majority favoring the moratorium. Citizens voiced concerns over heavy resource consumption, including electricity and water, alongside noise and environmental impacts. The commissioners heard the feedback but took no action.
Also at the meeting, Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, presented a proposed mixed-use development on Gillespie Street featuring a six-story, 126-room upscale hotel, convention space, a restaurant with a rooftop bar and lounge and a 272-space parking garage. The plan, dubbed The Cumberland, aims to address a lack of downtown premium lodging and includes potential residential units and green space to replace the canceled Crown Event Center project.
Following a May 12 Board of Education decision to close Manchester and Coon elementary schools with a vote of 5-3, commissioners met with school board leaders in a joint session on May 19. Cumberland County Schools requested $100.28 million in local county funding for FY2027, marking a $6.5 million increase over the current year. Closing both facilities will save the district roughly $630,000 per school annually.

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.