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Government Watch: Chemours pays out; City of Fayetteville receives grant

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Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Written by Jami McLaughlin

In the largest environmental damages recovery in NC history, state officials and local leaders announced a historic $590 million settlement with The Chemours Company and its affiliates on Thursday, Sept. 10. Standing at the construction site of the Gray's Creek Water Project, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere joined State Attorney General Jeff Jackson to unveil the sweeping agreement. The resolution directly addresses years of toxic PFAS ("forever chemicals") contamination originating from the Fayetteville Works facility, which has compromised private drinking wells and regional waterways for over a decade.
Under the terms of the landmark deal, Chemours, DuPont de Nemours Inc. and Corteva Inc. will pay $455 million over the next 15 years, with payments beginning immediately this year. A significant $380 million slice of that funding will be divided directly among 11 heavily impacted local governments, including Cumberland, Bladen and New Hanover counties, to aggressively scale up municipal water infrastructure, extend safe public water pipelines and alleviate the burden on families living with contaminated taps. The state of North Carolina will receive the remaining $75 million, dedicating a vast portion to the Emerging Contaminant Mitigation Fund to bolster ongoing statewide detection and cleanup efforts.
Crucially, the settlement features an unprecedented $135 million bankruptcy insurance reserve funded by DuPont and Corteva. This financial safeguard guarantees that even if Chemours faces long-term financial insolvency or bankruptcy, the mandatory environmental cleanup, groundwater barrier walls and private well filtration programs required under the region's 2019 consent order will remain fully funded.
"Families who did nothing wrong have worried about what comes out of their tap," deViere said during the briefing, emphasizing that while the multi-year legal battle was about corporate accountability, the path forward is strictly focused on delivering clean water solutions. For more, see page 7.

Cumberland County
During the Sept. 10 agenda session, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners received updates regarding two major projects, including the Crown Corridor Study and the Crown Theater and Arena modernization.
Board members heard Robert Van Geons, president/CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, present the Greater Crown Complex Gillespie Street (I-95 Business) Corridor.
This study aims to transform the 631-acre area surrounding the Crown Complex into a vibrant destination and includes an evaluation of 251 parcels based on ownership, occupancy and development potential. A major focus is improving pedestrian safety and traffic circulation within a vehicle-heavy environment and identifying better connections to the airport gateway. Within 30 days, the team plans to present a detailed hierarchy of redevelopment sites, specific infrastructure recommendations and potential amenity uses to attract visitors.
The board also heard from Turner & Townsend Heery, the designated owner’s representative for the modernization and renovation project. Following a 3D scan and detailed site walk-through, the team told the board that they needed to look at either renovating the existing facility with limited modernization or imagining a new facility to replace the existing buildings.
Commissioners raised concerns about previous maintenance records and the necessity of reconciling past reports with current findings. However, Jessica Killian, representing the project team, stated that work was done with the latest technology, offering a more comprehensive fresh look. She confirmed that any of the proposed solutions would result in a break in programming and activities at the Crown Theater and Arena
Coming out of closed session, the Board of Commissioners voted to close the current Crown Theater and Arena to public events to allow for continued due diligence on the future of those facilities.

City of Fayetteville
The city celebrated securing a transformational $25.1 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant aimed at investing in housing, family services and infrastructure along the Murchison Road corridor.
This historic milestone for Fayetteville was awarded jointly to the City of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority and marks the first time an eastern North Carolina community has ever secured this prestigious grant. The federal funding will serve as an anchor catalyst, expected to leverage more than $531 million in additional public and private investments to fully execute the community-led Murchison Choice Transformation Plan.
The project will fully replace all 60 units at the 56-year-old Murchison Townhouses public housing community on a strict 1-for-1, deeply affordable basis. The city will construct 323 new mixed-income apartments spread across the Murchison Townhouses and Elliott Properties sites near Fayetteville State University. The blueprint incorporates 35 new for-sale homes alongside exterior stabilization improvements for roughly 35 existing neighborhood houses.
This historic win was more than six years in the making. Fayetteville initially secured a HUD planning grant in 2020 but narrowly missed out on the final implementation funding in 2024. Instead of giving up, city planners leveraged HUD's direct feedback, strengthened partnerships with national developer Pennrose and aligned local anchors like Cumberland County Schools. Advocacy from the region's congressional delegation, including U.S. Representative David Rouzer, ultimately helped push the application past the finish line at HUD.

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: NC Department of Justice and Attorney General's Office Jeff Jackson, center, addresses attendees during an announcement made regarding the Chemours lawsuit. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County NC's Facebook page)

Fayetteville to hire downtown, urban development manager

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Tuesday, 08 September 2026
Written by Rachel Heimann Mercader, CityView Today

Fayetteville has begun searching for its first Downtown & Urban Development Manager, moving from months of discussion to action as the city seeks a single leader to coordinate downtown development, business support, and day‑to‑day problem solving.
Applications opened Aug. 23 and closed Friday, Sept. 4.
The move comes after months of debate over how the city should invest in its core, and years of frustration from council members who want more growth and business owners who say they struggle to get basic issues addressed.
A Push That Began with Business Complaints
The idea originated in May, when Councilmember Malik Davis told colleagues he had been meeting with downtown business owners and residents who felt the city lacked a clear point person for downtown issues.
“My request for council is to get a dedicated staff member that works for the city of Fayetteville, whose focus is downtown and downtown development, and also manages the downtown and its revitalization efforts in making our downtown stronger, knit downtown,” Davis said during the work session on May 4.
Davis noted that cities like Raleigh, Winston‑Salem, and Durham already have similar roles. As the sixth‑largest city in North Carolina, he said, Fayetteville should, too.
“I think the city has to take charge in making sure that we have been responsible for our downtown,” Davis added.
Mayor Mitch Colvin agreed, saying the city currently responds to downtown problems “per issue” without a single accountable leader.
“You really don’t have a point person in the organization that I’m aware of that answers that call,” Colvin said.
Budget Maneuvering Makes Room
During June budget talks, the downtown manager position repeatedly resurfaced as part of the council’s “parking lot list,” a set of items that could be added only if money was shifted around.
The role was budgeted at $150,000 including salary and benefits.
Councilmembers Shaun McMillan and Stephon Ferguson raised concerns about spending priorities, but the majority supported adding the position. Councilmember Derrick Thompson was among the strongest advocates.
“If we want to have a booming city, we need to have a booming downtown,” Thompson said.
Ultimately, the council chose to take more money out of its main operating fund—$8.25 million instead of $5,05 million, according to the final budget document. That freed up enough money to add the downtown manager position.
The additional funds also provided funds for downtown events ($275,000) and expanding the Drones as First Responders program ($795,000). Cuts were made elsewhere, including removing $110,000 for mental‑health unit vehicles that were part of a new initiative with the Office of Community Safety.
Fayetteville is also moving to strengthen its presence downtown by reinstating a dedicated police officer for the district—a role that had been paused due to a lack of funding. The city’s communications manager, David Scott, confirmed to CityView the position isn’t new, but rather a refilled vacancy.
The move comes as the city restored funding for eight previously frozen police officer positions in this year’s budget—a $1,095,056 allocation that expanded the department’s staffing capacity enough to bring back the downtown post.
The final budget passed June 22. The city’s 2027 strategic plan followed on Aug. 10.
Sgt. Antoine Kincade Sr. said the department has always maintained routine patrols downtown, but the dedicated assignment was temporarily halted.
“With recent increases in police staffing, we’ve been able to reinstate this dedicated role to serve as a direct point of contact for local downtown business owners and focus specifically on the unique needs and concerns of the downtown district,” he said.
According to a July 23 Facebook announcement, the department’s official name for the role is a Parks Patrol & Downtown Beat Officer. Duties will include downtown business and visitor engagement, patrols of parks and greenways, community outreach, special event coverage and general public safety.
Applicants must already have two years of experience as a sworn North Carolina law enforcement officer, and the city lists the salary range as $50,550 to $84,585, depending on experience.
What the Downtown Manager Will Do
The job description outlines a sweeping portfolio: economic development, redevelopment, placemaking, historic preservation, public‑realm maintenance, business recruitment, and coordination across nearly every city department.
According to the job posting, the manager “ensures Downtown Fayetteville remains clean, safe, welcoming, economically competitive, and attractive for residents, visitors, businesses, and investors.” The salary range is $77,122 to $98,331. The city said the selection process would last up to six weeks after the job posting closes on Friday.
Key responsibilities include:
• Downtown coordination—serving as the city’s primary liaison to businesses, property owners, developers, and partner organizations.
• Economic development—recruiting and retaining restaurants, retailers, entertainment venues, and office users.
• Capital project oversight—managing streetscape improvements, lighting, gateways, public art, pedestrian amenities, and beautification.
• Public‑realm maintenance—addressing cleanliness, graffiti, landscaping, sidewalks, lighting, parking, signage, and accessibility.
• Public safety coordination—working with police, fire, community safety, and outreach providers on quality‑of‑life issues.
A Downtown with Momentum—and Setbacks
Downtown Fayetteville has roughly 200 businesses, according to the Cool Spring Downtown District business directory, including 23 restaurants, 27 retail shops, 120 professional services, and several attractions such as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, the History Museum, and the Gilbert Theater.
The city has made recent investments trying to help downtown, including $200,000 in the 910 Festival, $350,000 in the Black Voices Museum, and hundreds of thousands of dollars and in-kind donations to the Dogwood Festival and other local events.
Major development projects are also underway, including a hotel and apartment tower atop the Hay Street Parking Garage and a proposed 126‑room full‑service hotel on Gillespie Street, announced by Cumberland County in May.
But downtown has also suffered losses. The county’s cancellation of the $145 million Crown Event Center in June 2025 after construction started removed what many saw as a future economic anchor.
Colvin has also asked city staff to put together a feasibility study for a downtown convention center.
Business Owners: Hopeful but Wary
Some downtown business owners said the new role could help—if the city follows through.
Isabella Effon, owner of Taste of West Africa on Person Street, told CityView she’s been disappointed by past promises.
Asked whether the liaison-style role sounded helpful, she replied, “We’ll see,” adding that, when these kinds of promises are made she has been made to feel more like a “ statistic” than anything else. “ These things do not excite me anymore,” she said.
Effon said she has struggled to get results when contacting the city about certain issues, such as repairs to a sidewalk in front of her business.
“We’ve had people fall, literally fall, where the ambulance had to pick them up and clean up blood,” she said. “We’ve complained and complained. Nothing is being done.”
She also pointed to 4th Friday, the free monthly street festival run by the Cool Spring Downtown District, as an example of how her block feels overlooked. The event runs from March through October and regularly closes Hay Street for vendors, music and activities—but Person Street stays open, she said, and gets none of the same attention.
“You have street closure, so things will happen on Hay Street and everything. And you leave Person Street. There’s no street closure. We have to program it ourselves,” she said. “Meanwhile, we’re all taxpayers.”
Kelly Hathaway, who owns Greg’s Pottery on Maxwell Street, and has been in business for 21 years, said she heard about two new roles only recently and is not clear on the specifics.
Hathaway said that she rarely sees city representatives visit local stores.
“I hope that the new person actually walks around and goes into the stores and makes their face and name known,” she said.
Hathaway said she hopes the new liaison will be proactive in engaging with local businesses, addressing issues like sidewalk maintenance, making rent more affordable, and bringing new businesses to the area.

Nonpartisan voter education workshop aims to empower

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Tuesday, 08 September 2026
Written by Staff Report

Your voice has power. Your vote is your opportunity to help shape the decisions that impact your family, your community, and your future. OF COURSE YOUR VOTE MATTERS… now is the time to get informed, get prepared, and MAKE IT COUNT!
With a shared commitment to creating a greater collective impact throughout Cumberland County and communities across America, the Greater Life of Fayetteville | PIN Parent Intervention Network, in partnership with the NAACP Fayetteville NC Branch, will host the “Nonpartisan Voter Education Workshop: Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Community.” to equip community members with practical, nonpartisan information, resources, and tools that will help them better understand and navigate the voting process. Participants will be empowered to make informed decisions and participate confidently in the electoral process at the local, state, and national levels.
The event will be held Sept. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Greater Life of Fayetteville, located at 600 Orange St. RSVP at GLOF-VoterEd.eventbrite.com
Guest presenter Crystal Edmonds, Fayetteville NAACP Political Action Chair, will provide valuable, nonpartisan insight into voters’ rights and responsibilities, equipping participants with accurate and accessible information, resources, and practical tools to navigate the electoral process with greater confidence, explore meaningful opportunities for civic engagement, and discover how informed participation can contribute to stronger, more engaged communities.
Topics of discussion will include:
• Voter Rights: Why every vote matters
• Voting Process & Polling: 'KNOW before you GO' to the polls
• Voter Registration & Deadlines: Understanding requirements and important dates
• Absentee Voting Options: Available ways to vote by mail
• Early Voting vs. Election Day: Differences between voting options
• Identification Requirements: What voters should know
• Civic Engagement: Ways to become more engaged in the community
• Local Election Impact: How elections affect schools, public safety, neighborhoods, and community resources
“Now more than ever, we recognize that knowledge is the foundation of meaningful civic engagement,” said Georgeanna Pinckney, Founder and CEO of Greater Life of Fayetteville. "Our goal is to ensure that community members have access to accurate information and educational resources from a nonpartisan standpoint that will empower them to make informed decisions and become better equipped to advocate for the issues that matter most."
Anyone interested in learning more about the voting process is encouraged to attend, including first-time voters, community members, faith leaders, educators, and other community stakeholders.
Greater Life of Fayetteville programs are empowered by the United Way of Cumberland County, Thegroup Theory, Covenant Love Church, The Insurance Guy, Sweet Valley Ranch, City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, First Horizon Bank, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation, Friends Of African American Families Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear, and a member of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.
The Greater Life of Fayetteville | PIN Parent Intervention Network is a community-centered initiative that is committed to strengthening communities through education, mentoring, strategic partnerships, and impactful programs and opportunities that empower individuals to reach their full potential. Through meaningful engagement, PIN connects families with valuable information, resources, and support they need to build stronger, healthier, and actively engaged communities.
Greater Life of Fayetteville is a community-focused, nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families, empowering youth, and creating opportunities for individuals to thrive through educational enrichment, mentorship, prevention and intervention initiatives, and community-based programming.

When inspiration becomes art: Book, song inspired by Pope’s Jubilee Message created by local author

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Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner

Karen Reid had a vision fueled by purpose, passion, and a desire to make a lasting impact. The power and profound message of the Pope’s Jubilee inspired her to write both a book and a song that invites others to discover that hope is not merely a feeling, but a force that can transform hearts and illuminate the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
Pope Leo XIV proclaimed 2025 as the Holy Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church, a sacred observance that takes place every 25 years as a time of grace, renewal and spiritual reflection.
The Jubilee invites the faithful to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, pilgrimage, reconciliation, and acts of charity.
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope,” offered a profound invitation to rediscover the source of our hope, which is the enduring love and mercy of God. Through the principles of Catholic social teaching, the faithful were encouraged to transform hope into action by caring for our common home and standing in solidarity with sisters and brothers facing the devastating realities of war, hunger and poverty.
“The book, It’s a Jubilee Year! Keep Hope Alive, is based off of the 2025 Jubilee year, and I decided to write the book after reading an article that the Pope had written about the Jubilee year,” said Reid, children’s book author and singer-songwriter. “He called it Pilgrims of Hope, and it came to me to write about it.”
She added, “I looked to see if there were any books about it and there were not any. It took me a day to write the story, and it is for the children to have something they can look to, learn all about the Jubilee year, and think about the small acts of kindness that they can do to help others, such as feeding the poor, helping those in need, helping the community or church, and using your talents to help others.”
Reid’s creative vision extended beyond the pages of her book. She was inspired to bring its message to life through a song as well.
“I wanted to expand on the message of the book and do more with the book for those that can’t read, so I wrote a song that did not take long to write,” said Reid. “My brother, Kelvin Underwood, is a musician, so I knew that I had someone that I could go to with the song.”
She added, “I was just sitting at home, and the lyrics came to me. I had to teach myself how to record using Apple’s GarageBand and Logic Pro, and how to set the equipment up in my closet to record. I had Leroy Hyson, acclaimed music director, to help with my vocals on the single, and he also did the background vocals for me.”
The soul-stirring track, "It’s a Jubilee Year! Keep Hope Alive", launched Aug. 14.
“The song is not written like a normal children’s song; I wanted it to be relatable to parents and adults as well,” said Reid. “They can listen to it along with their kid, and it is something they can enjoy.”
It is especially vital for young people to embrace this message, for they are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but also the architects of the future they will inherit and shape.
“The children are the ones who can change the world and fix the problems that we are encountering today,” said Reid. “They can bring back that kindness is important, as well as getting along with others, and they can put the message out there and do wonders.”
Reid has been exploring meaningful ways to share the powerful message of hope and service.
“I have been trying to find as many ways as I can to get the message of hope and helping others out there,” said Reid.
Her ultimate goal is for the book and single to inspire others to embrace hope, serve with compassion, and recognize the power they have to make a difference in the world. One person’s willingness to serve can create a ripple of change that reaches far beyond themselves.
“I just want to get the book into as many hands as possible and the song to be heard,” said Reid.
“I also want the message of hope to reach hearts everywhere and inspire people to believe that one act of kindness and one voice can create a lasting impact on the world.
The song is available on all platforms and can be accessed at https://kmreid.hearnow.com/.
The book can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
and Walmart.
For more information, visit www.reidforread.com or email reidforread@gmail.com.

Autism Academy holds resource fair, activity day

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Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Written by Mahalia Cooks

Parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder have access to a new center that provides resources to help kids thrive in happy and fulfilled lives.
The Fayetteville Life Skills Autism Academy is one of many centers run by the applied behavior analysis therapy provider Centria Autism. The center opened in December 2025 at 2814 Procurement Circle and operates Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., serving children ages 1 to 12. ABA therapy helps children with autism or other developmental disorders learn necessary skills in communication, behavior and social interaction by increasing positive behaviors while decreasing negative ones.
Life Skills Autism Academy will hold a free Resource Fair & Activity Day on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist Fayetteville families with connecting to community partners and discovering effective ABA strategies. This event will also be the perfect opportunity for children with autism to enjoy sensory-friendly activities and connect with each other. Kids can engage with low-stimulation, go-at-your-own-pace amusements such as a bubble zone, an indoor gym, sensory tables and an arts and crafts station.
Attendees can find out what options they have for autism support, gain educational resources or simply meet others who’ve had similar life experiences.
The first 50 families to arrive will receive a free Centria swag bag, so be sure to get in early. Items include fidget tools and stress balls for the children and information packets about Centria Autism’s services. RSVP for the event by filling out the Google form at https://bit.ly/4wSAO0V
Area Operations Director Carol Nentwig says the Resource Fair & Activity Day will provide a range of tools and expert advice for families.
“In addition to receiving information on specialized services for individuals on the autism spectrum and those in need of other pediatric therapy, we’ll also be providing education on accessing Medicaid and SNAP benefit support, best practices for addressing at-home behavioral challenges and strengthening familial bonds, and recommending local recreational community programs for folks of all abilities to engage in fitness, sports, music and more,” she said.
Numerous service providers will be on-site to present tailored programming, including information on “developmental counseling and emotional wellness support,” assistance for military families and guidance for “strengthening family and community support systems,” according to Nentwig. The full list includes these partners:
• Beyond the Spectrum Institute
• Follow the Spectrum
• ShineLight
• Carolina Counseling Services
• The Haymount Institute
• Therapy Playground
• Healing Hearts Therapeutic Services, PLLC
• Cumberland County Department of Social Services
• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
• Youth Villages
• Child Incorporated
• Community Life Development Center
• Dorothy D. Gilmore Adaptive Recreation Center
• Special Olympics Cumberland County
• Cumberland County Public Library
• Voices Together
• Fun City Adventure Park
The choice to open a new center in Fayetteville was motivated by Centria’s ongoing dedication to supporting families across the nation.
“Early intervention changes lives,” said Nentwig. “By creating a safe, play-focused environment, we're giving children the tools to build independence, supporting families and strengthening the foundation of our entire community.”
Though Life Skills Autism Academy only serves children up to age 12, they work with their many community partners to enable a smooth transition into other services and help children avoid experiencing gaps in support once they age out of the program.
By offering access to diverse service providers under one roof, the Resource Fair & Activity Day is a standout example of how therapists and other healthcare providers are foundational elements that sustain the behavioral wellness of communities.
Visit Life Skills Autism Academy at 2814 Procurement Circle or call them at 888-975-4557 to connect with their healthcare professionals and learn more about their services for Fayetteville families.

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