Local News

More than a building: Fayetteville’s Defense Innovation Center aims to keep talent, opportunity at home

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

For generations, Fayetteville’s identity has been inseparable from Fort Bragg. The installation has shaped the city’s economy, culture and workforce, producing thousands of highly trained soldiers whose leadership and technical expertise have made an impact around the world.
The challenge has always been what happens when they leave the military.
Each year, approximately 7,000 soldiers transition out of service at Fort Bragg. Many possess advanced technical skills, security clearances and years of leadership experience, yet too often those professionals leave Cumberland County in search of opportunities elsewhere.
The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation believes it has a solution.
Now under development in downtown Fayetteville, the new Defense Innovation Center is designed to do more than provide office space. The 36,000-square-foot secure facility is intended to become the hub where military expertise, private industry and emerging technology meet under one roof. For FCEDC President and CEO Robert Van Geons, the vision began with a simple question: How can Fayetteville better capitalize on one of its greatest assets?
“The gap it fills is physical infrastructure,” Van Geons said. “Fort Bragg holds a concentration of operational expertise, and North Carolina has an established commercial technology sector. There has been no accessible, secure location off post where the two could work together.”
That idea evolved into a facility unlike anything currently available in the region.
Plans call for flexible workspaces, private offices, training rooms, secure laboratories, multiple Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities and a secured briefing room capable of accommodating more than 200 people. Beyond its physical features, the center is designed to help technology companies navigate military acquisition processes while creating opportunities for service members to work directly with businesses developing the next generation of defense technologies.
“The facility serves as the anchor point of a regional defense innovation ecosystem,” Van Geons said. “It’s where talent connects with advanced employment opportunities and entrepreneurs advance new ideas.”
The impact extends well beyond active-duty soldiers.
Military spouses whose careers are often interrupted by relocations and deployments are also expected to benefit from employers establishing operations in the area. At the same time, the center is designed to help companies begin hiring immediately, even before permanent facilities are completed.
“The Center’s training rooms and key-man offices allow a company to hire and train in our community while its permanent facility is under construction or upfit,” Van Geons explained. “That shortens the time between a company’s decision to locate in Fayetteville and Cumberland County and its first local hire.”
Not everyone leaving military service is searching for a traditional job, however. Many veterans are launching businesses of their own, particularly in cybersecurity, logistics, artificial intelligence and defense technology. Van Geons says the Innovation Center was built with those entrepreneurs in mind.
“The secure offices, labs and demonstration space give those entrepreneurs a place to design, develop and prove new technologies, along with access to the operational community that will evaluate them,” he said. “The facility connects transitioning talent with employers seeking their skills while also providing a launch pad for those advancing their own ideas.”
The project represents a broader shift in how economic development is measured.
Rather than simply recruiting employers, communities are increasingly focused on building ecosystems where businesses, entrepreneurs and skilled workers can grow together. Fayetteville’s proximity to Fort Bragg positions it uniquely for that model, particularly as defense technology continues to evolve.
Looking ahead, Van Geons envisions the Defense Innovation Center serving as the front door to a much larger regional network.
“The Center operates as a portal,” he said. “Veteran talent, startups, defense innovators, research collaborators and military thought leaders will pass through the facility to train, hire and advance new technology before establishing permanent operations across Fayetteville and Cumberland County.”
Success, he says, won’t be measured solely by the number of companies inside the building, but by the long-term impact throughout the community.
“Our goal is for Fayetteville and Cumberland County to be recognized nationally as the place where commercial technology and operational military expertise come together.”
If that vision becomes reality, the Defense Innovation Center won’t simply change the downtown skyline.
It could redefine how the rest of the country sees Fayetteville not only as the home of Fort Bragg, but as one of America’s emerging centers for defense innovation.

(Photo: Guests were welcomed inside the Defense Innovation Center, June 25 for a first look at the vision taking shape. The 36,000-square-foot building will feature key-man offices, conference and training rooms, multiple SCIFs and a large 200+-person presentation hall. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County, NC Government's Facebook page)

Veteran embarks on 700-mile run for mental health awareness

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Wednesday, 05 August 2026

Written by Mahalia Cooks

“Finish lines are lifelines,” according to Army veteran Jonathan Milkovich. This motto is the driving force behind why he founded the nonprofit organization Operation WarriorFit and is embarking on his most ambitious challenge this fall.
Operation WarriorFit helps first responders, veterans and active-duty service members find and maintain their inner purpose and stay fit by funding entries into competitions and active events. Those who’ve dedicated their lives to service can enjoy free or discounted entry into marathons, 5Ks and 10Ks, obstacle course races and many more events.
The organization arose from Milkovich’s own efforts to join races while on a tight budget after he left the military.
Like many, Milkovich started college right at 18, but he soon found that adjusting to this new way of life proved easier said than done.
“I was probably one of those individuals that should not have gone to college at 18,” Milkovich said. “I had a lot to still learn and had a little too much fun right after high school.”
After failing out of college, Milkovich joined the military, which changed his life for better and for worse. Alongside enduring physical ailments like back and knee issues, Milkovich also learned valuable lessons that would influence his future steps.
“It’s where my best friends came from, to this day, and it gave me that discipline in my life as a whole that allowed me to set myself up for success for my second college story,” he said, referring to his successful undergraduate stint and current MBA program at Syracuse University.
Leaving the military required another recalibration of his motivations.
“I came out of service, I’d lost one of my guys right before I got out, and I slowed down, and everything started catching up to me,” Milkovich said. Doing races helped restore that needed structure, but many are expensive to enter, and organizations at the time mainly offered charity bibs for major marathons — not local events.
Operation WarriorFit fills that gap.
Their database currently has over 100 registered members and more than 2,700 race entries in 30 states. To keep things fair, entries are distributed through a lottery system 12 weeks before a race begins, providing enough time for members to train and prepare for their desired event. Once on the road to the race, members can join Community Groups to train with people in their area and maintain their mental and physical resilience through external uplift.
This network of communities exemplifies the organization’s R.E.A.D.Y. framework, which stands for resilience, endurance, accountability, dedication, and, most importantly, you. A race is essentially “giving you that endurance and building that accountability that you can take into other aspects of your life,” Milkovich said. “You’re building those moments that you’re able to really think through something and be like, ‘Hey, this isn’t the hardest thing I’ve done, let me continue through with it.’”
Explore OWF Community Groups at https://www.operationwarriorfit.org/community-groups.
As a part of Milkovich’s actions to spread the word about Operation WarriorFit’s contributions to mental and physical health support and awareness, he’s taking on a new journey that will further his goals.
Operation Carolina is Milkovich’s biggest mission yet: a 700-mile solo run across the state of North Carolina in 17 days. With his aim to cover about 40 miles a day, his run will start on Monday, Sept. 21, in Murphy and end on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Hatteras Point.
This run will take him from the mountains to the coast and many more places in between, testing his physical and mental endurance throughout. The goal is to start 22 conversations each day about mental health, both in person and on social media.
“We’re gonna take an approach to understand what people are going through and what support we can provide,” Milkovich said, adding that assisting people also involves collaborating with other nonprofits, such as Catch a Lift Fund.
The in-person element is where you come in. Anyone can join the route alongside Milkovich after mile 10 on each day; then, stay for as few or as many miles as you want. Whether you show up individually or with friends, you’ll build community and connect with like-minded people. Milkovich wants participants to walk away knowing this can be the first step that enables them to reach greater heights in racing.
“We want people to come out, whether you can run a mile, bike a mile, skateboard a mile, whatever it may be,” he said.
See more details on how to be a part of the run at https://www.operationwarriorfit.org/operation-carolina.
North Carolinians can keep up with the journey through daily updates, including morning video previews of each day’s route, evening recaps and live GPS tracking through the Operation WarriorFit website. The entire route will also be viewable through an interactive map on Strava at https://www.strava.com/routes/3458317396815052932.
Fleet Feet Charlotte is the title sponsor for Operation Carolina. This business equips runners with the right gear and offers expert training, making them the perfect partner for this bold initiative. Coinciding with their participation, there will be a large community meetup and group run once Milkovich reaches Charlotte.
As Operation WarriorFit is still fairly new, Milkovich and his board of directors look forward to making even bigger moves in supporting service members, veterans and first responders, including offering access to run coaches and training resources and continuing to expand their Community Groups.
Operation WarriorFit will also encompass more events in numerous categories as it grows — from running and rock climbing to biking and swimming.
“If it gets you out there and it gets you moving and healthy and putting something on your calendar to stick around for another week or two, we’re working to have that on our website,” Milkovich said.
Keep up with Operation Carolina on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569077765518 and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/operationwf/. If you’d like to support Operation WarriorFit or apply to start looking for races near you, kick things off at https://www.operationwarriorfit.org/get-involved.

(Photo: Jonathan Milkovich, the founder of Operation WarriorFit, plans to run the 700 miles across the state of North Carolina to raise awareness for mental health for veterans, soldiers and first responders. Photos courtesy of John Milkovich)

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.