Local News

What Makes a Village: Inasmuch creates a place to belong

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Written by Tiffany Haywood

Sixteen Homes. One Community.
Born from neighborhood prayer walks, Inasmuch Village is designed to give veterans more than shelter — a permanent place to belong.
Taking back a neighborhood can be more than a tagline. Sometimes, it begins with people willing to walk through what is broken and believe it can become something different.
In 2023, the leadership of Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch was asking what should come next. The answer did not arrive as construction plans or a multimillion-dollar investment. It came as an instruction to walk.
On the fourth Friday of each month, staff members, volunteers and community supporters stepped beyond Inasmuch’s Hillsboro Street campus and into the four blocks surrounding it.
One step at a time. One block at a time. One prayer at a time.
They walked past discarded trash, neglected properties and houses known for drug activity. One of those houses stood directly beside The Lodge, Inasmuch’s residential program. They called it “the drug house” — not as a dramatic nickname, but because that was exactly what it had become.
As they passed it month after month, they prayed for the activity to end and the property to become something better. During seven months of prayer walks, questions continued to surface about what Inasmuch was doing for veterans, older adults, women and children.
The walks were becoming more than symbolic steps. They helped Inasmuch identify neglected spaces, listen to the neighborhood and consider how those spaces could serve the community differently.
At that point, Inasmuch Village did not exist, not even as a concept.
Then, in the eighth month, the Rev. Craig Morrison received a call from Mary Holmes of the Community Foundation. She told him there was someone she believed he needed to meet. Local developer Ralph Huff arrived with plans in his hands.
Huff already had a vision for permanent housing for veterans. Although construction could not begin until 2026, he wanted to start acquiring property and working through rezoning and permits.
Ralph and Linda Huff pledged an initial $2 million toward the development.
“He had everything drawn out,” Morrison said. “He had the plans for the cottages.”
By the tenth month, the house beside The Lodge had become the first property Inasmuch acquired. Morrison said the drug house was permanently shut down. The same process also led Inasmuch to donate three Orange Street properties to Habitat for Humanity for homes for women and children.
For Morrison, the need for permanent housing is visible through people Inasmuch serves, including Mr. Clyde, an older veteran who uses a wheelchair and attends the organization’s breakfast program. Morrison said his physical limitations mean his situation cannot be solved by simply finding a job or entering a short-term shelter program.
A 90-day housing option may help someone who can work and needs time to regain stability. It does not solve the same problem for a veteran living on disability or VA benefits while facing rent far beyond that income.
Morrison offered the example of someone receiving approximately $900 a month while trying to afford rent near $1,600.
“How can I even think of affording a $1,600 place to stay?” he asked.
Inasmuch Village residents will pay rent based on 30% of their income, giving them room to breathe while providing something temporary programs cannot: a permanent place to call home.
That is where Inasmuch Village is designed to be different — offering affordable housing within a built-in system of support.
The development will include 16 fully furnished, one-bedroom cottages measuring approximately 600 square feet each. Four will be ADA-compliant, while all will be built on slabs with open floor plans intended to improve accessibility. The cottages will also be pet-friendly.
Morrison explained that shelters often cannot accept animals, forcing people experiencing homelessness to choose between a bed and a pet who may have become their closest companion and family. At Inasmuch Village, residents will not have to make that choice.
At the center of the cottages will be the Linda and Ralph Huff Gathering House. Morrison envisions community meals, game nights, movie nights, celebrations and opportunities for churches and civic organizations to connect with residents.
It will be a place where neighbors gather, relationships form and residents are reminded that they do not have to navigate life alone.
When asked why the project matters in a military community like Fayetteville, Morrison shared the story of his youngest son, Braden, who was diagnosed with a hole in his heart as a child. Doctors repaired it, giving him the opportunity to grow and thrive.
“Our veterans are the heartbeat of this community,” Morrison said. “We can’t have a hole in our heart.”
Inasmuch Village is one way of helping make that community whole — not only by giving veterans a place to live, but by surrounding them with people determined to make sure they are seen, supported and remembered.
“You’re not alone. You’re not forgotten,” Morrison said. “There is a whole community here that loves you, that cares for you and that is here for you.”
The groundbreaking for Inasmuch Village is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. at 419 Chance St. The first residents are expected to move in during 2027. Applications are not yet open, and partnerships for support services are still being finalized.
When the first veterans receive their keys, Morrison wants them to feel at home, cared for and loved.
He asked readers to think about the people in their own lives who have served — a grandparent, a parent, a loved one or even themselves.
“Just like on that battlefield — no man, no woman left behind — we can’t leave anybody behind,” Morrison said.
For more information, visit https://www.inasmuchfay.org/

Government Watch: Data center public forums to be held; County, city updates

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Written by Jami McLaughlin

Cumberland County officials are inviting residents to weigh in on the future of local data center development through a series of upcoming community input sessions.
The public forums are designed to gather early community feedback before a formal draft ordinance is written. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners passed a six-month moratorium on data centers in June to pause development while they researched options. According to county officials, feedback from these meetings will directly shape the upcoming policy framework.
Participants will be able to visit several interactive discussion stations, with each area focusing on a specific aspect of data center infrastructure. The discussions will cover utility considerations like water use and power grid capacity, noise levels, air quality, land use and zoning rules. The stations will also address the broader community footprint, focusing on environmental considerations and economic impacts. Staff facilitators will be present at every station to document public comments.
The first public session will take place on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Stedman Baptist Church located at 7750 Clinton Road in Stedman. A second session is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the J.D. Pone Recreation Center located at 2964 School Road in Hope Mills.
Residents seeking more details can review project updates and frequently asked questions at cumberlandcountync.gov/datacenter.
The Fayetteville City Council has also scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville City Hall. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss and vote on proposed changes to the city's Unified Development Ordinance regarding the regulation and zoning of high-density data centers.

In other Cumberland County news
At their regularly scheduled meeting on July 20, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved $121,500 in county incentives to recruit the U.S. headquarters and first domestic production facility for a Ukrainian drone manufacturing company. The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. projects this move will create 162 jobs—averaging salaries over $70,000—and bring $68 million in local economic output. The Fayetteville City Council approved a $121,500 grant for the facility, known as Project Odesa, in June. The project will be located at 223 Dedication Drive, off Black and Decker Road, in Fayetteville.
Commissioners also approved a $439,068 agreement with LS3P Associates Ltd. to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a new regional aquatic facility. The firm will formulate site designs, operational models and cost estimates.
Further, board members passed a budget ordinance amendment reappropriating $5.56 million of unspent funds from 2026 into the 2027 fiscal year. This covers incomplete multi-year initiatives, including American Rescue Plan Act programs and Emergency Services grant projects. They also unanimously approved an updated bid to supply materials and technical processing services for the county library system.
Key leadership adjustments included nominating new members to the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board, the Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, while formally appointing the new ABC Board Chairperson.

City of Fayetteville
The City of Fayetteville recently updated its Utility Connection Assistance Program to pay a $5,000 utility assessment and up to $1,000 for plumber costs, raising the income limit to 120% of the area median income.
The program helps owner-occupied homes in annexation and utility extension areas connect to sanitary sewer service. Applicants must live in the home, stay current on taxes, have $50,000 or less in liquid assets and never have received this help before.
Construction runs through 2037. Homeowners can apply early at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/City-Departments/Economic-Community-Development/Water-Sewer-Assistance or call 910-433-1590.

North Carolina House and Senate
The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened on July 27 following a temporary adjournment that began on July 2, but no major policy veto overrides or final votes on major pending bills occurred. One spicy bit of controversy recently reported by The Carolina Journal was a $300,000 earmark in the state budget originally awarded to the private Carolina Lakes HOA in Harnett County. It was clawed back by lawmakers following public backlash over conflict-of-interest concerns involving a local representative. Instead of returning to Raleigh, the funds were redirected to the Harnett County government to be used for public county purposes under local oversight.

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.

Drone manufacturer relocates to Cumberland County

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Written by Staff Report

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Skyeton, previously known as Project Odesa, has selected Fayetteville and Cumberland County as the location for its U.S. headquarters and first manufacturing facility in North America. The project will create 162 jobs with an average annual salary of $70,759 and invest $3.4 million in real estate and equipment.
Skyeton currently has production operations in Ukraine, Germany, and Slovakia. Its new Fayetteville facility will support the development and manufacturing of advanced technologies designed to enhance the capabilities of military personnel, allied partners, and first responders. The company will occupy a 28,479-square-foot building within the former Black & Decker site.
“We are thrilled to welcome Project Odesa to Fayetteville and Cumberland County as it establishes its first U.S. manufacturing facility here,” stated City of Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. “With the city’s concentration on defense, technology, and healthcare, this is exactly the kind of investment we are working to attract, bringing 162 jobs at an average salary of nearly $71,000 while breathing new life into the former Black & Decker site. My thanks to the State, our community college partners, and the FCEDC for helping bring it home.”
“Cumberland County is becoming a place where innovation, workforce and opportunity come together, and Project Odesa represents the type of investment we are working to attract,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere. “Companies that create quality jobs, strengthen our advanced manufacturing sector and provide long-term opportunities for our residents are exactly the kinds of businesses we want to recruit. Investments like this continue to build our economic momentum and strengthen our community for the future. We are excited to welcome Project Odesa and look forward to supporting its success.”
The City and the County both approved job creation incentive grants for a total of $243,000, to be paid in three installments as employment occurs.
“North Carolina is the perfect place to call home, and we’re incredibly grateful for the warm reception and tremendous support we’ve received from the State of North Carolina, the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, our congressional delegation, and our mission partners from the Department of War,” said Skyeton, Inc. CEO Rigoberto (Quito) Sáez. “Expanding our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina is about more than opening a new facility; it’s about strengthening America’s defense industrial base, creating high-quality jobs, and delivering combat-proven capabilities closer to the warfighters.”
“Fayetteville and Cumberland County are quickly becoming a hub for strategic technologies and advanced manufacturing,” said FCEDC President and CEO Robert Van Geons. “Skyeton’s investment is another example of the innovation ecosystem our uniquely skilled workforce and collaborative partnerships have created.”
The company has also received an inducement package from the State of North Carolina Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Community College System.
In a release announcing the project, Governor Josh Stein said, “We’re proud to welcome Skyeton to a state with such a proud military tradition and advanced manufacturing base. By combining our manufacturing workforce, the skillsets of our transitioning military personnel, a central East Coast location, and a strategic transportation infrastructure, North Carolina continues to rise to the top ranks as the best place to do business, especially in the aerospace and defense sectors.”
Skyeton is a Ukrainian-born manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems with 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. The company develops and supplies unmanned aerial systems for commercial, industrial and military use, which are used both in Ukraine and worldwide. The company’s history began with the production of ultralight aircraft, the K-10 Swift, laying the foundation for a high standard of aviation manufacturing. Learn more at www.skyeton.com.
The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership designed to enhance job growth and prosperity in the region by attracting new industry and growing and retaining existing industry. The FCEDC works daily to help strengthen our economy and diversify our community’s tax base. Learn more at www.fcedc.com.

(Courtesy photo)

FTCC opens SparkNC STEM lab on campus

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Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Written by Staff Report

Fayetteville Technical Community College celebrated the June opening of its new SparkNC Lab, marking a milestone as the only SparkLab in North Carolina located on a community college campus. The event drew community members, students, and local partners eager to explore the new high-tech learning space designed to prepare Cumberland County youth for careers in emerging technology fields.
During the open house, attendees got hands-on with the lab's STEM equipment and tested high-performance computer programs firsthand. Guests also met Sparky the dog, the robotic mascot representing the Spark Lab initiative, who added a fun, interactive touch to the day's festivities.
"The opening of the SparkNC Lab marks an important milestone in our commitment to preparing students for the opportunities of a rapidly changing economy," said FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells. "Through competency-based learning and hands-on exploration of emerging technologies, students will gain exposure to high-demand career pathways and develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity needed to thrive in the workforce of the future. This partnership reflects our dedication to connecting education with innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for student success.”
SparkNC offers Cumberland County middle and high school students a flexible, personalized way to explore high-tech career fields, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, computer systems engineering, software development and game development. Through hands-on learning experiences, industry connections, internships, and digital portfolios, the program helps students build real-world skills and discover pathways toward high-wage, high-impact careers. Notably, 72% of learners who initially had little or no interest in pursuing a high-tech career reported a stronger interest in the field after participating in SparkNC.
The program operates as a statewide interdistrict network, with SparkLabs already established in counties such as Cabarrus, Guilford, Wake, New Hanover, and now Cumberland. Each lab serves as a modern, collaborative hub where "Spark Scholars" connect with peers, teachers, and tech industry professionals across North Carolina, supported by videoconferencing technology that links labs into a shared interdistrict classroom.
The SparkLab High-Tech Learning Accelerator lets students earn credit toward graduation while charting their own educational path. Learners can choose from more than 50 modular learning experiences, moving at their own pace across formats that include on-demand, experiential, and interdistrict instruction.
• No prerequisites are required to get started
• Learning experiences are available online, in-person, or as a blend of both
• Learning pathways include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Computer Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Design UX/UI, Exploring Tech Fields, Game Development and Design, and Software Development
• Students can survey multiple tech fields or dive deeper into a specific area of interest
The Accelerator serves as both an entry point for students new to high-tech fields and an accelerated track for those pursuing industry-recognized credentials.
SparkNC's success is bolstered by a robust network of industry partners, including companies like Epic Games and SAS, who serve on the program's Business Advisory Council and Board of Directors. These partners help shape curriculum relevance and provide students with mentorship, internships, and job-shadowing opportunities that build professional networks well before graduation.
"SparkNC is a transformational model that empowers learners to pursue technology careers and show mastery of their learning in unique ways," said Adam Garry, an Artificial Intelligence Consultant who has shared the program's approach across North America. This industry engagement ensures the curriculum stays aligned with the evolving needs of North Carolina's tech workforce.
The SparkLab at FTCC is open to all Cumberland County students in grades 8 through 12. Students can sign up through their home school to enroll in the FTCC SparkLab, or they may stop by in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the FTCC campus at 2817 Fort Bragg Rd, General Classroom Building, Room 113, Fayetteville, to speak directly with a lab facilitator.
With its central location on FTCC's campus, the lab gives Cumberland County students unique early access to a higher education environment paired with cutting-edge technology, distinguishing it as North Carolina's only community-college-based SparkLab.

(Photo courtesy of FTCC)