Cumberland County
On March 17, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met in the Historic County Courthouse and voted unanimously to ratify a contract with Hutchens Law Firm to investigate the contracts and financials related to the Crown Event Center project.
The Board of Commissioners voted on March 5 to suspend all work on the Crown Event Center, approved in 2022, for 30 days in order to review and investigate the scope, schedule and budget for the project. Currently, it is budgeted at $144.5 million and is scheduled to open Spring 2027.
The board also approved a water services agreement for Grays Creek Phase 1, which helps address access to essential water services, including getting public potable water to Alderman Road and Gray’s Creek Elementary Schools and allowing connections from residents along the route impacted by PFAS contamination.

City of Fayetteville
On March 24, the Fayetteville City Council authorized staff to move forward with applying for a North Carolina 911 grant utilizing professional services for a stand-alone 911 Call Center.
The 21,000 square foot facility project, which was identified as a top priority in 2022, was recently put on hold as the board discussed either consolidating with Cumberland County and their new facility built in 2022, or building a second building for the City of Fayetteville. Neither government agency could agree on a satisfactory merger of the two public safety answering points, according to the 911 Center & Schrader Group Architecture report in the agenda packet.
City Manager Doug Hewett also updated the City Council on their 2025 strategic plan priorities:
• Integrate a comprehensive approach to violence reduction and mental health response
• Continue the City's commitment to revitalization efforts, emphasizing affordable housing needs
• Increase Parks & Recreation opportunities for youth engagement and interaction
• Use City-owned property to enhance economic growth opportunities throughout the City
• Articulate & define who we are as a City, to tell our story in Fayetteville & beyond
Hewett gave an overview of the 2025 financial performance through the end of 2024. He reported that the City’s financial health is strong, and the general fund is performing as expected. He also said that while the City is saving $13 million through staff vacancies, the City is also experiencing higher than expected use of overtime, temporary labor and seasonal help. As of Dec. 30, the City had 186 vacancies, or 10.8%. Lastly, the staff is monitoring federal funding restrictions on programming along with economic and trade policy shifts.

Joint City of Fayetteville — Cumberland County Liaison Committee
On Mar. 17, the Board of Commissioners met with the Fayetteville City Council in a Joint City of Fayetteville - Cumberland County Liaison Committee meeting. The committee received updates related to economic development from the Cumberland County Community Development department, the City of Fayetteville Economic and Community Development department. The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation and the Town of Hope Mills manager. The committee asked city and county staff to find collaborative programs aimed at poverty reduction and workforce development, to evaluate the current regional transportation plan and to explore solutions for child-care related issues. The next meeting will be held on April 21.

In other news
City Manager Doug Hewett named Assistant Police Chief C. Todd Joyce as the interim police chief as Police Chief Kemberle Braden retired on March 31. Joyce, a native of Fayetteville, has served the city for more than 26 years and joined the Fayetteville Police Department shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Joyce served as president of the North Carolina Police Executives Association and remains a board member. In December 2024, Joyce was appointed as a commissioner to the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

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.

(Photo: Assistant Police Chief C. Todd Joyce has been named as the interim police chief to take over for Police Chief Kemberle Braden, who retired on March 31. Joyce is a native of Fayetteville and has been with the Fayetteville Police Department shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Police Department)