December 2022

Latest Announcements
FCEDC and the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) hosted a collaborative networking event on November 16, 2022, bringing together community and military leaders to connect and engage with each other in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County region. The event featured more than 70 attendees, including industry executives, military, academia, large defense company representatives, and veteran-owned small business owners. “Partnering with FCEDC exemplifies the importance of collaborating toward common objectives to create opportunities for North Carolina in support of our nation’s military,” said Tammy Everett, Executive Director of DANC. Read more.
Van Geons Attended Area Development's Tampa Consultants Forum
FCEDC’s President and CEO Robert Van Geons attended the Tampa Consultants Forum hosted by Area Development on Dec. 4-6, 2022. This was a great opportunity to hear from and network with leading site consultants and industry experts who headed an agenda focused on the trends influencing corporate location and economic development strategy. At the event, Van Geons promoted Fayetteville and Cumberland County as ideal locations to do business. Area Development is a leading resource for site selection and facility planning. Their editorial coverage and events provide valuable information pertinent to the key factors, issues and criteria that affect a successful corporate location decision.
An IndustryWeek article recently highlighted the strong collaborative relationship between FCEDC and U.S. Army Reserve Command’s Private Public Partnership Office (P3O). In June 2022, the two organizations signed a proclamation of partnership, the first of its kind in the nation for an economic development organization. The joint effort focuses on helping Reserve soldiers and their spouses find jobs in the civilian sector, an integrally important endeavor for Fayetteville and Cumberland County. "“Many employers haven’t thought about this population, but they are a great source of talented people who possess skills beneficial to the civilian sectors,” said Alecia Grady, Private Public Partnership Manager at the U.S. Army Reserves, in the article. Read more.
FCEDC By The Numbers
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In the Community
FCEDC attended the last Power Breakfast of the year on December 1. The program featured discussions about our community's innovation economy, entrepreneurship, and project-based work trends with thought leaders James Freeman, Founder and President of the Emerging Technology Institute; Justin Hembree, Executive Director of the Mid-Carolina Regional Council; and Fred Surgeon, President of Surgeon & Associates, Inc. Read more.
Cumberland County Board of Commissioners selected a Downtown Fayetteville site for the Crown Event Center, a new multipurpose complex to replace the existing Crown Theatre and Arena. The site for the new facility, opening in October 2025, will be the parking lot in front of the Courthouse. In a Cumberland County press release, Glenn Adams, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners said, “We believe this will be a transformative project, not only for Downtown Fayetteville but for all of Cumberland County as a local and regional asset that is accessible to all and that enhances and elevates our community as a premier destination for entertainment, events and gatherings.” Read more.
Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is seeking a dynamic marketing and communications professional to serve as Director of Marketing & Communications. This position is considered mission critical for FCEDC’s success. The individual will spearhead the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing and communications strategy at the local, state, national and international levels to promote the community and its assets. Successful candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree in marketing, public/media relations, communications, or related field, with a minimum of three years’ experience, or a master’s degree in marketing/communications or equivalent field. 
 
Interested persons must submit a letter of interest, resume, and relevant marketing and writing samples to info@fayedc.com. The position will remain open until filled.
Check out the latest available, quality jobs in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, NC. We encourage you to share these opportunities with anyone who is looking for a new career.
#DidYouKnow?
Fayetteville is ranked 2022 Best City for Singles in North Carolina (WalletHub, 2022)

A Message from FCEDC President & CEO
Thank you for reading this issue of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation’s newsletter.

As the end of the year wraps up, we have plenty to be thankful for. Fayetteville and Cumberland County have a Can Do attitude toward caring for one another, protecting the world, going further, and simply finding ways to be a better, stronger community. This year was filled with new project announcements, collaborative initiatives with local officials and community organizations, and powerful networking events. The new year will bring even more excitement as new developments and jobs will be announced. I look forward to what our community has the potential of becoming, and I hope you are too. Happy holidays from the FCEDC team.

Sincerely,
Robert M. Van Geons, CEcD