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Government Watch: Cumberland County, Fayetteville, are thriving!
- Details
- Tuesday, 29 September 2026
- Written by Jami McLaughlin
Fayetteville captured the spotlight recently with a thrilling Fayetteville Woodpeckers victory, a historic homecoming visit from rap icon J. Cole and a historic Chemours environmental settlement that brought a powerful mix of celebration, star power and long-awaited justice to the city. Also, outside of local chambers, Governor Josh Stein appointed Mayor Mitch Colvin to the North Carolina Board of Transportation representing the 6th Transportation Division. These are some of the most defining moments of our city’s current chapter and there is certainly more to come.
City of Fayetteville
In City news, the Fayetteville City Council met in regular session on Sept. 14, advancing several major economic development initiatives and municipal upgrades. Highlighted during the meeting was the announcement of a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Presented by Economic and Community Development Director Christopher Cauley, this funding will be used to implement an automated permitting system designed to significantly fast-track Fayetteville's development processes.
In a boost to local manufacturing, the council adopted a resolution supporting Project Crossing, which paves the way for an application for a $152,000 N.C. Department of Commerce Building Reuse Grant. The initiative centers on Sigma Crossings & Railroad Products, Inc., which plans to establish a manufacturing facility at 595 S. King St. The project represents a $3.7 million capital investment and is expected to create 15 full-time jobs carrying an average annual wage of $57,700.
Public transit and airport infrastructure also received substantial financial injections through approved grant appropriations. The city accepted a $2,069,806 N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation grant alongside a separate TSA agreement providing up to $146,000 annually to offset airport police security costs. Furthermore, the Fayetteville Area System of Transit secured over $1.6 million in federal transit grants to fund replacement buses and support non-medical transportation for seniors and residents with disabilities. Concurrently, council members approved lowered thresholds to make it easier for local bus stops to qualify for benches and shelters.
In policy and administrative actions, the council amended the city code to expand alcohol sales regulations. Permitted vendors are now authorized to sell alcohol at The Courts at Glenville Lake and other designated municipal properties, though bringing outside alcohol remains strictly prohibited. Additionally, approved concessions past the TSA checkpoint at the Fayetteville Regional Airport are now permitted to extend their operating hours for alcohol sales. Concessions may now begin selling alcohol one hour before the first daily flight and conclude one hour prior to the final flight. The session concluded with the approval of 26 appointments to various civic boards and a unanimous vote to officially dissolve the Joint Appearance Commission, which had been inactive since 2019.
Cumberland County
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners advanced several key infrastructure and housing initiatives during its regular meeting on Sept. 21, highlighted by a unanimous vote to adopt the new Hope Mills Area Land Use Plan. Developed by planning staff in coordination with local stakeholders, the comprehensive plan covers an area of approximately 65,000 residents spanning from the Robeson County line up to Fayetteville city limits. The regional focus on utility improvements also took center stage as commissioners approved a $1.31 million budget ordinance amendment to address PFAS contamination via a multi-year engineering project in the Cedar Creek area. Additionally, acting as the NORCRESS Water and Sewer District Governing Board, commissioners authorized funding applications to study merger, regionalization and asset management alongside the towns of Falcon, Godwin and Wade.
The board also addressed Department of Social Services operational strains, focusing on how to evaluate staffing levels amid persistent worker vacancies and rising service demands. Assistant County Manager Tufanna Bradley and Social Services Director Brenda Reid Jackson presented a proposal to conduct a comprehensive workload analysis through an outside consulting firm. The evaluation was initially suggested during the Fiscal Year 2027 budget planning process to help the county navigate ongoing recruitment challenges and ensure organizational resources match statutory duties.
Ultimately, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from County Manager Clarence Grier to bypass a private firm for now. Instead, the county will utilize internal State of North Carolina workload analysis tools to evaluate DSS staffing resources, though county leaders noted they may revisit hiring an outside consultant in the future if necessary.
In a significant push for local residential development, the board unanimously selected IMEC Group LLC for a design-build contract to construct the Phoenix Place Permanent Supportive Housing Project. Backed by an anticipated project budget of $3.7 million, the development will establish 10 new single-family supportive housing units managed through Cumberland County Community Development. In other property moves, the county approved a $100,000 budget amendment to cover ongoing Sheriff’s Office litigation invoices, cleared a dilapidated structure on Winthrop Drive for demolition and passed a 4-2 vote amending a 2006 hospital property transfer agreement to accommodate financing terms for a new medical office building under Cape Fear Valley Health System.
Administrative operations and community wellness provisions rounded out the night's agenda, with the board confirming a series of health department fee adjustments. Commissioners approved the establishment of fees for new maternal health services while simultaneously voting to waive vaccine and administrative costs for COVID-19, flu and RSV immunizations.
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: The Fayetteville Woodpeckers celebrate as they win the Second Half Championship and a trip to the Carolina League Playoffs. Photo courtesy of the Woodpeckers)
