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On Thursday, Jan. 30, and Friday, Jan. 31, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, county department heads, and various community members gathered to discuss the strategic plan for 2025. The retreat was led by Rebecca Jackson of True North Performance Group and Chris Rey with RC Strategy Group.
Both Jackson and Rey have ties to Cumberland County. Jackson was the former Chief of Staff and Chief Performance Officer for the City of Fayetteville, and Rey was the former mayor of Spring Lake.
Workshops were held during the retreat to identify unfinished strategic initiatives and emerging community needs.
The seven strategic priority areas identified over the two days focused on fostering Economic Prosperity, encouraging Quality, Smart Development, championing Responsive, Transparent Government, supporting a High-Performing Education System, providing increased Culture & Recreation opportunities, enhancing Health and Wellness and ensuring a Safe Community for all residents.
Federal lobbyist Ron Hamm of The Hamm Consulting Group also updated at the retreat on key issues in Congress that could affect Cumberland County. Those issues included water infrastructure, social services, public health, childcare assistance, and economic development. An entire federal advocacy strategic plan can be developed after the county's priorities and objectives are identified through the overall Strategic Plan.
In addition to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, State Sen. Val Applewhite, State Rep. Diane Wheatley, Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers, and Cumberland County Register of Deeds Andra Brewington attended the retreat.
The seven SPAs created at the retreat were broken down into goals, objectives, and key strategic actions and initiatives, which will be developed into the overall strategic plan. The draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the board for approval at an upcoming commission meeting and will be used as a tool to drive decision-making and initiatives, according to county officials.
Joint City of Fayetteville — Cumberland County Liaison Committee
On Jan. 27, the Board of Commissioners also met with the Fayetteville City Council in a Joint City of Fayetteville - Cumberland County Liaison Committee meeting. Their theme for 2025 will be "Enhancing Quality of Life for a Healthy City, County, and Community." The committee spoke about health and wellness at the meeting and will discuss public safety and economic development at future meetings.
The city and county meet jointly to discuss ways they can further collaborate and communicate effectively. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 17 in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
City of Fayetteville Update
The Fayetteville City Council met on Monday, Feb. 3, for a work session and discussed a new standards guide for Fayetteville's historic districts and local landmarks. The proposed Historic District Design Standards guide would replace the design guidelines manual adopted in 2000, updating various text amendments to further comply with state law. It would also create a less restrictive district for property owners downtown.
The new standards guide encompasses the Downtown Local Historic District, the original commercial center of Fayetteville, and the Haymount Local Historic District, one of Fayetteville's oldest neighborhoods. Fayetteville has over 30 locally designated historic landmark properties.
The council also provided consensus to approve solutions from the Beaver Creek 2 Watershed Master Plan for the staff to identify and pursue grant opportunities.

(Photo: Cumberland County Commissioner Henry Tyson speaks during the Cumberland County strategic planning retreat, Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Public Information Office)