Local News

Government Watch: Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville updates

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Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Written by Jami McLaughlin

Cumberland County
Chairman Kirk deViere, Commissioner Pavan Patel, and Assistant County Managers Faith Phillips and Sally Shutt attended the 2025 National Association of Counties conference in Washington, D.C., where they met with North Carolina Representatives to discuss legislative funding priorities including water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, federal education funding, mental health and substance use treatment services for youth and technology upgrades for first responders.
The team also advocated for routing the proposed I-685 through Cumberland County, strengthening programs for women, children, senior citizens and veterans and assisting local governments with complying with the Department of Justice mandate for ADA-accessible communications by the April 2026 deadline.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners received an update on current projects on March 13 including the Government Services Center Parking Deck and the Sheriff’s Indoor Training Range upgrade.
The Board of Commissioners voted on March 5 to suspend all work on the Crown Event Center, approved in 2022, for 30 days in order to review and investigate the scope, schedule and budget for the project. Currently, it is budgeted at $144.5 million and is scheduled to open Spring 2027.
The Government Services Center Parking Deck, which was approved in September 2024 to help support the parking needs of the courthouse and the new Crown Event Center, is supposed to be completed in late 2026 and is estimated to cost $33 million. It is currently in the conceptual design phase although Subsurface Utility Engineering was contracted to locate underground utilities in January.
Other engineering projects included in the monthly progress report include:
• Unhoused support center at $17.4 million completion date TBD
• Recovery shelter generators at $3 million to be completed August 2025
• 109 Bradford elevator modernization at $560,000 with a bid awarded on March 5
• Crown Hospitality lobby renovation at $1.5 million to be completed by August 2025
• Crown bathroom remodel at $835,363 with a bid awarded on March 5
• Animal Services isolation building at $1.1 million, currently in the bid phase
• Sheriff’s Indoor Training Range upgrade at $850,000, currently in the bid phase
• Public Health UPS replacement at $300,000, currently in the bid phase
• County facility building systems review at $525,000, currently in the proposal phase
• Historic Courthouse switchgear replacement at $350,000 to be completed March 30
• LEC bathroom and locker room upgrade at $450,000 with contract review phase
City of Fayetteville
At their March 13 meeting, the Fayetteville City Council authorized the temporary waiver of bus fares for all fixed route and paratransit services provided by the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) on four Saturdays in March 2025 from 8 a.m. until noon. The availability of fare-free transit service will remove transportation barriers for young children to access the United Way of Cumberland County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library Story Time program at area libraries including Cumberland County and Fort Bragg.
The council also adopted a resolution to request the Cliffdale Recreation Center as an additional One Stop Early Voting Site and appropriated funding for an intergovernmental support agreement fund for waste management collection services on Fort Bragg. They appropriated grant funds to allow the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments (MCCOG) to continue the Community Transportation Program, helping elderly and disabled populations to have transportation.
Reports from the City of Fayetteville Economic and Community Development Department and the Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) were approved.
Discussion for the proposed PSAP (911 Call Center) was tabled for their March 24 meeting. The vote was 8 to 1 with Councilman Deno Hondros dissenting.
The PSAP facility project was identified as a top priority in 2022 and is slated to be a 21,000 square foot building with room for growth and training space. Discussion has also included a consolidation or a co-location between Cumberland County and City of Fayetteville programs. Cumberland County moved into a new facility in 2022. However, neither government agency could agree on a satisfactory merging of the two public safety answering points according to the 911 Center & Schrader Group Architecture report in the agenda packet. The City is hoping to secure a grant from the North Carolina 911 grant program.

In other news
Cumberland County Public Library now offers seven days of general admission passes to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and Fascinate-U Children’s Museum — available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Headquarters Library on Maiden Lane until October and funded by an $852 grant from the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library.

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 in shaping policies, driving economic success, and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com.

(Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Area System of Transit's Facebook Page)

FTCC now accepting applications for Fire Academy Program

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Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Written by Dr. Christopher Thrasher, FTCC Social Science Instructor

The Fire Academy Skill Bridge Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College helps veterans and active-duty military personnel in their last 180 days of active service become civilian firefighters. The 14-week academy provides candidates with the knowledge, skills, and ability to satisfy the requirements of:
• National Fire Protection Association 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications
• Emergency Medical requirements of NFPA 1001 Chapter 6
• NFPA 1072 Standard for Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Response Personnel Qualifications
Certifications earned in the academy are fully transferrable to all 50 states.
The Bureau of Labor reports that firefighters earn a median annual salary of $57,120, typically enjoy excellent benefits, and can expect strong growth in the next decade.
Successful graduates of the FTCC Fire Academy may become eligible for other training opportunities at FTCC including emergency medical training and courses at the Swift Water Training Facility, FTCC’s new, state-of-the-art, nationally recognized training center.
In addition to the firefighter academy, FTCC’s Transition Tech Program also provides short-term workforce training that can prepare you for employment in many other career fields including:
• Law Enforcement
• Building Construction
• Bio Work Process Technician
• Certified Logistics Technician
• Certified Production Technician
• Computer Security (CompTIA Security+)
• Electric Line Worker
• CDL Truck Driver
• Collision Repair & more!
Transition Tech programs at FTCC are open to servicemembers and veterans from every military occupational specialty and every rank. The programs are available at no
charge to the participants.
“Attending Caliber Collision Academy has been a highly valuable experience as I build a strong foundation in the collision repair industry. As part of the collision training program, I am learning under the expert guidance of instructors Jon, Everett, Mike, and Louis, who collectively bring over 80 years of experience to the program. Their wealth of knowledge and practical skills are crucial to my success. Caliber Academy covers key areas such as collision repair, glass installation, ProTech systems, and estimators training, ensuring that I not only acquire the technical skills required but also gain a deep understanding of industry standards, safety protocols, and customer service. Through the Military Skill Bridge program, I am able to access this invaluable training. With the expertise of my instructors and the hands-on training available in the program, I will be fully prepared to excel in this fast-paced and evolving field,” said Kip Johnson, Veteran and FTCC Bridge Program Student.
We invite you to learn more by contacting Transition Tech Recruiter Pendy Eldridge at transtech@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-486-3626

(Photo courtesy of FTCC)

Help is Here: A Game-Changing Tool for Families

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Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Written by Dr. Lindsay Whitely

Cumberland County Schools is making it easier than ever for families to stay informed, engaged and supported in their child’s education. With the launch of Family Engagement On Demand, families now have instant access to critical resources - anytime, anywhere and on any device.
Through Cumberland Family Academy, CCS’ family engagement initiative, FEOD provides expert guidance, interactive learning videos and live-streamed content covering essential topics for student success. Whether a parent needs help understanding math homework, addressing attendance challenges or navigating online safety, FEOD delivers a comprehensive, on-demand solution.
A Resource Designed for Busy Families
Recognizing the demands of today’s families, CCS partnered with Successful Innovations Inc., a leader in strategic family engagement, to develop a user-friendly, cloud-based platform for Pre-K through 12th-grade students and their families. FEOD offers flexible access to expert-led sessions on a range of topics, including:
• Supporting Your Child with ADHD
• Strategies to Address Chronic Absenteeism
• Safe Clicks: Navigating Online Safety
• AI Demystified: What Parents Need to Know for Their Kids
Sessions are archived for on-demand viewing, allowing families to access resources at home, in the car-rider line or on the go.
What Parents Are Saying
CCS invited families to explore FEOD and share their feedback and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
"As the parent who often helps my son with his fourth-grade math homework, I see that the Family Engagement on Demand videos and tools can refresh my math knowledge and skills. They seem streamlined and quite easy to find and understand. I love it!"
— Brent Goad, E.E. Miller Elementary Parent
"For Hispanic families, time, transportation, and language barriers often make engagement difficult. Having access to FEOD allows us to take a more proactive role in our kids' success, and the resources are provided in Spanish."
— Zenaida Cranford, CCS Parent of Three Students
"I feel the sessions are real and informative. They’ll help parents guide high schoolers into adulthood, a stage often overlooked in family engagement."
— Njeri Fikes, Seventy-First High School Parent
Meeting Families Where They Are
At CCS, we recognize that families are busy, juggling responsibilities at home, work and in the community. That’s why we’ve designed FEOD to be a truly parent-friendly resource. Whether parents are waiting in the car-rider line, grocery shopping or picking up their child from practice, they can easily access learning tools, expert advice and community resources on their own schedule.
Family engagement isn’t just about attending school events - it’s about having the right tools at the right time to support student success. With Family Engagement On Demand, we are removing barriers and making educational support more accessible than ever.
This is a game changer in how we engage, support and empower families every step of the way.
To learn more about Family Engagement On Demand, visit www.ccs.k12.nc.us/familyacademy

Hope Mills town manager receives contract extension

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Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Written by Jason Canady, CityView Today

Following a closed session, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to extend Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin’s contract for another two years. The new contract takes effect March 1 of this year and runs through March 1, 2027, with an annual salary of $140,000.
The minutes from the closed session, which lasted about 35 minutes, were sealed, with no action taken.
According to ZipRecruiter, as of February 2025, the average salary for a town manager in North Carolina was $108,407 per year. Most salaries range from $96,800 to $128,600, with top earners making $144,953.
According to a CityView report, McLaughlin has been with the town since 2015, previously serving as the town’s planning director, economic development director and development services director, overseeing code enforcement while also serving as interim town manager.
Regarding the promotion and contract extension, Bellflowers told CityView they have confidence in McLaughlin.
“The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners reviewed Town Manager Chancer Mclaughlin’s past year accomplishments and next year’s opportunities toward building a culture of continuous improvement for residents and businesses,” said Bellflowers. “During the review, Mr. Mclaughlin expressed the confidence he has in our community and the board agreed by having confidence in his leadership abilities, dedication, work ethic; and, looks forward to continuing a productive relationship in coming years.”
At the start of the commissioners’ meeting, McLaughlin provided an update on last Monday’s 20-acre brush fire near Jack Britt High School.
“The deputy fire chief has indicated the fire is under control and has been handed over to the North Carolina Forestry Service, which will be monitoring the area for the next few days until it is completely extinguished,” McLaughlin said. “The N.C. Forestry Service has also placed a double fireline around the fire to keep it contained, and it is expected to smolder for the next few days, possibly a week.”
According to ncagr.gov, North Carolina’s Forest Service reported 1,935 wildfires in the state since January 1, burning just over 5,179 acres.
Town Deputy Fire Chief Robert Hurlburt told CityView that wildfires are common this time of year due to dry weather and a lack of rain.
“It just takes a spark,” Hurlburt said. He added that the fire was near a homeless encampment but could not confirm the cause, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Other town business
The board unanimously approved a non-contiguous annexation of 4.96 acres at 140 Missy Byrd Drive, which encompasses Lot 7 of the All American Business Park. The town’s planning staff intends to zone the property as a planned commercial district with conditional zoning.
Additionally, the board reviewed an initial zoning request for 10.06 acres of undeveloped land on Applebury Lane off Cumberland Road. The request proposed zoning the land as a residential and planned commercial district, with plans for future town home construction. The board unanimously approved the zoning request.
The board also heard budget requests from various town committees. These requests will help guide funding decisions during the upcoming budget retreat on Thursday at the John W. Hodges Public Safety Center.