Local News

Government Watch: Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville updates

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Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Written by Jami McLaughlin

City of Fayetteville
On May 12, City Manager Doug Hewett presented his recommended $312.5 million budget to the Fayetteville City Council.
Proposed details of the 2026 budget according to the City of Fayetteville include:
• A proposed total ad valorem tax rate of 44.95 cents per $100 of assessed value, reflecting a $0.13 decrease from FY 2025 but 6.19 cents above the revenue-neutral rate, generating $14.5 million in additional revenue for critical services.
• A continued commitment of $114 million to community safety, including $71.7 million for police and $39.7 million for fire, with resources allocated for the step pay compensation and a comprehensive public safety salary study.
• A 4% midpoint compensation increase for non-step employees and an added 1% 401(k) contribution for non-sworn personnel to remain competitive amid a tight labor market.
• Investment in infrastructure and service maintenance:
• $6.3 million for street and stormwater projects,
• Ongoing implementation of the new financial system
• No rate increases for stormwater or solid waste services
• $3.1 million in new program enhancements including 17 positions to strengthen construction management, marketing and communications, legal support, IT security, fire inspections and more.
There will be a public hearing on May 27, and final adoption is slated for June 30 to meet state law deadlines. The new budget will be implemented beginning July 1.

Cumberland County
On May 20, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted to allocate $1.38 million in American Rescue Plan funds to 63 nonprofit organizations. The nonprofits represented categories including health and human services, religious and faith-based services, public safety and emergency response, educational and youth development and arts, culture and community development. The nonprofits ranged from the United Way of Cumberland County, which received $10,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina, which received $40,000.
Also, on May 20, the board directed County Manager Clarence Grier to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the Salvation Army to reopen the Pathway to Hope emergency shelter that closed in April citing lack of funding partners. The board asked that the contract not exceed $563,000 per year to fund shelter operations.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners will host a series of in-person gatherings where residents can ask questions and learn more about County priorities.
“This is all about building stronger connections with our community,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “We want to hear from our residents, and we want them to know they’re part of the conversation when it comes to shaping the future of Cumberland County.”
The remaining dates and locations are as follows: May 27 at the West Regional Library, Cafe West and May 29 at the Town of Spring Lake Town Hall in the Grady Howard Conference Room. All meetings will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
In other Cumberland County news
Effective July 1, the Cumberland County Tourism Development Authority will assume all responsibilities previously managed by the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, otherwise known as DistiNCtly Fayetteville. The purpose of the TDA is to promote increased travel, tourism, and use of lodging, meeting, and convention facilities in Cumberland County.
These organizations aim to best serve the interests of tourism and hospitality in the county and streamline efforts to attract visitors and drive economic growth.

About the Greater FayettevilleChamber
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

(The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau, known as DistiNCtly Fayetteville, will hand over responsibilities to the Cumberland County Tourism Development Authority beginning July 1. Photo courtesy of DistiNCtly Fayetteville's Facebook page)

Residences at Prince Charles await “fantastic announcement”

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Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Written by Anna White

Despite a century-long list of iterations and much time spent vacant and in disarray, the iconic Prince Charles Hotel is about to see yet another change that may restore it to a community classic.
Initially a hotel, then a boarding house, and then hotel again, by the time developers with 1st and Main purchased the space, it had been sitting vacant for about 5 years. According to Rory Dowling, owner of 1st and Main Development out of Durham, NC, and redevelopment partner at the Residences at the Prince Charles, they purchased the building and began redevelopment around 10 years ago.
“We bought it with the intention of either doing residential or maybe going back to a hotel at the time, but we pretty quickly zeroed in on doing a mix of residential with retail,” he explained.
The decision was influenced by the need for housing in downtown Fayetteville, the team’s previous experience with similar projects, and a trend in people wanting to live in walkable communities.
Construction commenced toward the end of 2017 and units opened to residents in 2019, but executing the complete redevelopment vision has been far from straightforward.
“The residential units were very well received from day one, and have always been pretty well occupied,” Dowling shared. “The commercial side has had a little bit more difficulty.”
Not long after the units were made available to rent, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With two leases signed by tenants intending to occupy the majority of the first floor and a lease signed with an office tenant intending to occupy the historic ballroom, plans halted overnight. Dowling and his business partners had only one option.
“We had to let the tenants out of leases when COVID hit, for obvious reasons, since nobody was going to restaurants and nobody was going into the office,” Dowling said.
The only exception was The Coffee Scene, which has been there since the beginning and is now under new ownership. Dowling described them as a “tremendous tenant” and one that they’re “super excited to still
have after 5 years.”
Within six months of opening, the COVID-19 pandemic left 1st and Main with roughly 10,000 square feet of unused commercial space.
“That was a pretty big blow,” Dowling explained. “We obviously waited it out for as long as we could, but those concepts never came back.”
Over the last several years, they’ve pursued discussions with a variety of potential tenants. Some were interested in creating event spaces, others in a cigar and jazz club. Though many ideas never came to fruition, the discussions weren’t futile: “We are very close to announcing some pretty exciting news,” Dowling affirmed.
The exact tenants remain confidential until negotiations are complete, but Dowling described the concept as a “unique food and beverage event space” that will occupy the space surrounding The Coffee Scene as well as a new concept and tenant in the Historic Ballroom on the top floor.
The yet-to-be-detailed development is poised to energize the downtown area as 1st and Main initially intended.
“That area of downtown in particular has not fulfilled the vision we initially had,” Dowling lamented. “We always saw that new plaza and the interest of the stadium and everything happening around it as becoming the new center of downtown. I think by increasing food and beverage and events and space there, that will have a tremendous impact in creating that sort of vibe that we wanted initially.”
Dowling says the developments will also lead to significant job creation as the new tenants hire employees. But it’s not only the economic impact that Dowling is excited to see. There will also be a social impact.
“Hopefully it brings the community back into these spaces that were once so important to [them].”
Community members have shared memories of high school proms held in the historic ballroom, weddings, and several well-known accounts of spirits and ghosts that haunt the eerie halls. Accounts of Fayetteville’s storied residents and visitors will remain embedded in the walls of The Prince Charles regardless of any revisions to its structure, and it’s that very legacy that Dowling hopes to honor.
“We're really excited to open those spaces up again to the public, because they are just such iconic, historic spaces.”
Within the next 3-4 months, he says, there will be “some really pivotal and fantastic announcements associated with that building, and then things happening around that area that will really start to activate the vision that was always planned for.”
Despite the unexpected and tumultuous road preceding the announcement, Dowling is optimistic about what’s ahead.
“We're just happy that it's still standing and still represents what it once was, and are hopefully going to take it to the next level and really allow the public to revisit these spaces.”

(Photo courtesy of The Residences at the Prince Charles)

Equine-assisted therapy: Veterans benefit at Prancing Horse

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Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Healing Power of Equine-Assisted Therapy
Equine-assisted therapy has been recognized as a powerful tool in promoting mental and emotional healing. By building a connection with horses, participants can experience reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced social skills. Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, providing immediate feedback that can help individuals understand and manage their own feelings.
The non-judgmental presence of a horse offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals to process their experiences and emotions. This can be particularly beneficial for veterans who may be dealing with the aftermath of their service, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
How Prancing Horse Supports Veterans
Prancing Horse Inc., located at 6100 Hoffman Rd, Hoffman, offers a specialized program for veterans called Freedom Reins, which is based on natural horsemanship methods. This program is designed to help veterans build relationships with horses.
“Freedom Reins at Prancing Horse is a veterans program based on natural horsemanship methods and building relationships with our equine partners. During our lessons, veterans learn to recognize horse behaviors through grooming, ground work in the round pen, and leading and longe line work in the arena,” said Susan Price, director of Veteran Services. “Participants learn that horses are constantly communicating with us through their body language, and in return, we can communicate with them through our body language and emotions. As our participants progress through the lessons, they demonstrate reduced anxiety not only while they are working with the horses but also in everyday life.”
Freedom Reins offers a hands-on alternative to conventional clinical therapies, providing a unique approach to supporting mental health and well-being.
Success Stories from Freedom Reins
Many veterans have experienced significant improvements in their mental health and overall well-being through the Freedom Reins program. For example, participants have reported feeling more relaxed and less anxious, both during sessions and in their daily lives. The bond they form with the horses often translates into better relationships with family and friends.
One veteran shared, “Working with the horses has been a transformative experience. It’s helped me manage my anxiety and given me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years.”
“This is the first program I’ve experienced that really works. The horses, teachers, and volunteers helped ease me back into a normal world,” said Rob, a veteran.
“It is a time and a place where you can come and relax and forget about the stressors in your life. I have participated in the program, and now I am enjoying volunteering with the program,” said James, a veteran and PH volunteer.
These success stories highlight the profound impact that equine-assisted therapy can have on veterans.
The Science Behind Equine-Assisted Therapy
Research has shown that interacting with horses can lead to a range of psychological and physiological benefits. The act of grooming and caring for a horse can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones. Additionally, the rhythmic movement of riding can help regulate the nervous system, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Studies have also found that equine-assisted therapy can improve mood, enhance self-esteem, and boost overall mental health. These scientific findings support the effectiveness of programs like Freedom Reins in providing meaningful therapeutic benefits to veterans.
Getting Involved with Prancing Horse
Veterans and active-duty military members interested in participating in the Freedom Reins program can do so in several ways. In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project and PATH Intl, individuals can attend weekly hour-long sessions to work with a horse and a certified instructor at their own pace. Additionally, organizations can arrange for group sessions, allowing participants to experience the benefits of working with horses in a supportive community setting.
“Participants may register through the Wounded Warrior Project to participate free of charge. For individual participants, they work one-on-one with me and their horse. For group sessions, there is a volunteer to help with each horse as well as 2 PATH Intl certified therapeutic riding instructors. Prancing Horse has been in operation for over 40 years. Freedom Reins and the veterans’ program have grown over the past 10 years. Anyone interested in participating can reach out to me at veterans@prancing-horse.org,” says Price.
Get to know the herd—each of the beautiful horses that call the farm home and play an important role in the Freedom Reins program. Every horse has its own unique personality and story, contributing to the special atmosphere of the farm. You can meet these wonderful animals and learn more about their backgrounds and how they support the mission of Freedom Reins by visiting their website at https://prancing-horse.org/meet-the-herd-2/.
Prancing Horse also welcomes volunteers and donors who wish to support their mission. By getting involved, you can help ensure that these valuable services continue to be available to those who can benefit from them the most. For those interested in making a donation can visit https://prancing-horse.org/planned-giving/ and those interested in volunteering can email ed@prancing-horse.org.

(Photos courtesy of Prancing Horse)

FTCC, FSU collaborative degree builds innovative pathways

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Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Written by Anna White

A new pathway through high school, community college, and university is about to open for students of the construction trades. Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College have partnered to create a Construction Project Management degree program, which, pending accreditation by the SACSCOC, will be open for fall 2025 enrollment.
Previously, there wasn’t a seamless way to transition from FTCC’s technical associate degree offerings in construction trades to a four-year degree. Susan Evans, Associate Vice President for Instructional Programs at FTCC, shared her excitement about the development.
“It's a new thought process in higher education to take technical associate degrees and create pathways from the community college to a bachelor's degree,” she explained. “These two worlds are now one world. That’s a long time coming in higher education.”
The changes serve both new and returning students. For adults already working in construction trades with an associate's degree, the program is accessible because they won’t have to move or change jobs to pursue continuing education through FSU.
For others as young as high school students, FTCC’s High School Connections Program allows students to take college classes for free and obtain certificates that will prepare them for this upcoming pathway. One such example is FTCC’s one-semester “Introduction to Building Construction Technology Certificate,” the credits from which are fully transferable.
“You're developing a pathway for a student who, for whatever reason, doesn't think they want, or doesn’t even know if they want to go to college,” Evans said.
She explained that the High School Connections Program gives high school students an opportunity to experience community college and builds their confidence. From there, they can decide whether to pursue an associate's degree and seamlessly continue to a bachelor's degree at FSU without losing any time or credits.
Partnerships with regional companies will provide students with work opportunities while still in college. Metcon Buildings and Infrastructure, a general contracting service, will offer internships for students, an opportunity which Evans says will “make them employable early through the internship, and help them complete that bachelor's degree.”
She said that the partnership will have a significant workforce impact, making it possible for local employers to identify and train potential employees early.
“I hope it serves as a model for all of the industries in our region that are looking for employees,” Evans highlighted, adding that they expect additional partnerships will form with other regional employers as the program develops. “I hope they will connect with the community college.”
While FTCC’s Construction Technology associate’s degree prepares graduates for entry-level construction-trade positions in architecture, engineering, industry, and government, Evans shared that many certifications and licensures require a bachelor’s degree, making the program a perfect fit for those who want to pursue more competitive job opportunities.
“We have people who probably completed our two-year degree in the past five or 10 years, who will find out about this cooperative relationship and go back to finish their bachelor's degree.”
Though the program is not enrolling new students yet, Evans said inquiries can be directed to Pam Gibson, Dean of Engineering and Applied Technologies at FTCC: gibsonp@faytech.edu
“We really appreciate the partnership with FSU,” Evans shared. “Making things easier on students is exactly what we want to do.”