Local News

Chamber opposes interbasin transfer certificate request

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Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Written by Staff Report

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber announced today its formal opposition to the Town of Fuquay-Varina's application for an Interbasin Transfer Certificate, which would allow the transfer of up to 6.17 million gallons per day of water from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin.
The Chamber's Board of Directors has passed a resolution voicing significant concerns about the potential negative impacts this transfer would have on the Cape Fear region's future water supply, residential needs, industrial growth, environment and long-term economic development.
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber, representing over a thousand downstream businesses, believes maintaining local water resources is critical for the Cape Fear region and is concerned about the impact on the water supply and future development. The Greater Fayetteville Chamber leadership believes that removing this volume of water poses significant risks to the future growth of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the region.
“Water is one of our most critical economic assets,” Greater Fayetteville Chamber President/CEO Nat Robertson said. “Taking water and not returning it to the same basin raises so many red flags. I’m proud of our organization standing up for our residents and businesses and future development downstream that this IBT threatens.”
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber highlights several key concerns:
• Threats to Long-Term Water Availability: The proposed diversion could impair current and future water supply for hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses depending on the
Cape Fear River Basin.
• Economic Risk: Reallocating water away from the Cape Fear Basin without a requirement to return that supply could hinder future development opportunities for communities within the originating basin, including those in Cumberland County.
• Environmental Impact: Large-scale interbasin transfers can create adverse cumulative impacts on water quality, instream flows, and fish and wildlife habitats—which would affect communities from Sanford to Wilmington.
• Insufficient Exploration of Alternatives: State regulations require that all feasible options within the receiving basin be thoroughly evaluated and prioritized before requesting an interbasin transfer.
Accordingly, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber formally opposes Fuquay-Varina’s IBT request and urges the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission to prioritize the needs of existing and future users of the Cape Fear River Basin as it evaluates the proposal. The Chamber calls for careful consideration of both the potential harms and the available alternatives before any final decision is reached.
The Greater Fayetteville Chamber urges the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission to reject the IBT request and consider the long-term effects on the source basin. Public hearings on the draft Environmental Impact Statement are being held.
Additional information and the draft EIS are available on the NCDEQ website at https://bit.ly/4iRPCYk
For more information about the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, visit www.faybiz.com.

Government Watch: City Council sworn in; NC Delegates named Job Champions

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Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Written by Jami McLaughlin

There was a full house on Dec. 4 for the NC Department of Environmental Quality public hearing on the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s request for an interbasin transfer certificate to transfer up to 6.17 million gallons per day of water from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin.

Jobs in Dental Assisting expected to grow by 7% annually

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Tuesday, 02 December 2025

Written by Dr. Christopher Thrasher

Fayetteville Technical Community College recently announced the acceptance of 36 students into their highly successful dental assisting program for the 2025 – 2026 school year.
In case you didn’t realize, dental assistants play a vital role in helping dentists improve the health and well-being of their patients. Some dental assistants focus on conducting in-depth examinations of new patients. Others work with orthodontists to give patients million-dollar smiles. Increasing numbers of dental assistants work in cosmetic dentistry, helping with dental restorations and bleaching. Dental assistants also have the option to continue their education, complete a bachelor's degree, and teach dental techniques to the next generation of dental assistants.
The dental assisting program at FTCC is a one-year, three-semester program that begins in the fall and concludes at the end of the summer each school year. Coursework includes classes in topics such as clinical procedures, dental materials, dealing with infections, preventative dentistry, and radiography. The program recently added training in new technologies, including digital impressions and 3D printing of models.
The program is fully accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is the accrediting body for dental assisting programs across the country. Since CODA accreditation is respected across the United States and in many foreign nations, the FTCC dental assisting program is a great career choice for anyone who plans to stay in North Carolina or possibly leave the state and travel to other areas of the country.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assisting jobs are expected to grow by 7% annually from 2022 – 2032, making it one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields. New dental assistants can expect to earn $18 to $23 per hour with excellent opportunities for advancement and increasing wages as they gain experience.
Are you worried that you can’t afford college? If so, we have great news. FTCC is one of the most affordable colleges in the region. Most students receive generous financial aid packages, and many students are able to complete their education at no cost to them.
The program began accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort starting Nov. 1. Applications are open until Jan. 30, 2026.
FTCC is working to expand program options, currently in discussions to create a dental certificate program for advanced high school students, which will allow them to get a jump start on their careers. FTCC is also exploring a bridge program that will allow dental assistants to become dental hygienists. Please check the program’s website for more information as it becomes available. https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/healthcare-programs/dental-hygiene/
Students may also reach out to healthproadmissions@faytechcc.edu for help in responding to questions about Dental Assisting or other health programs of study.
For more information, please contact the FTCC Dental Assisting Department Chair, Sandra Walker, at walkers@faytechcc.edu or by phone at 910-678-8574.

Health & Wellness: Friends of Cancer Center help when help is needed most

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Tuesday, 02 December 2025

Written by Jami McLaughlin

When cancer is diagnosed, it can be an emotional time, not only for the person diagnosed but also for their loved ones. It can also place a financial burden and leave a person grasping for connection.
This is where Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center can step in with crucial support and resources.
Assistance can mean transportation to and from appointments, nutritional supplements and wig vouchers, support with the emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis through art therapy sessions, and even early cancer detection screenings are available to those without insurance coverage, said Sabrina Brooks, vice president of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.
“For those with a demonstrated financial need, they continue to assist with emergency assistance for housing and utility payments while patients are undergoing treatment,” Brooks said. “Educational resources and family support is available to help patients understand their diagnosis and associated treatments.”
FOCC Advisory Council Chair Margaret Ann Alligood, a retired early childhood educator and breast cancer survivor, will be the first to tell you that the work has her heart.
“I had just finished my cancer treatment when I was asked to chair the FOCC,” Alligood said. “My fellow council members [1.1]and I have an understanding of cancer and a compassion to help those and their families during their journey of treatment.”
She said the same compassion is given by the community.
“I’ve now served eight years, and the journey has been most fulfilling,” Alligood said. “Our goal is to support our caring and giving community, who graciously give money for our cancer patients. We have an overwhelming involvement, illustrated by many who commit their financial support.”
Brooks said the FOCC began in the late 1980s when several community members heard about a similar group supporting cancer patients at Duke Medical Center.
“They brought the concept back to Fayetteville and energized a group of volunteers to organize a patient support program at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center,” Brooks said. “Led by the late Jesse Byrd, the group grew from literally passing a hat around to raise enough money to assist a cancer patient with their house payment that month to providing over $200,000 annually to support local cancer patients in a variety of ways.”
Byrd asked Alligood and fellow board member Lisa Mary Thompson to support the efforts of the FOCC.
Thompson followed in the footsteps of her Uncle Jesse Byrd, the former chair emeritus who volunteered for local cancer patients for more than 30 years. In 2014, Byrd established the Irene Thompson Byrd Cancer Care Endowment in memory of his wife.
“Cancer struck my family hard when we lost my mother in 1989 to breast cancer and Aunt Irene in 1991 to lung cancer,” Thompson said. “Jesse called one evening to ask if I would be a part of the Advisory Board to help carry on his vision for the Friends of Cancer Center.”
She said the most important part of FOCC is solely for the support of cancer patients as they try their best to navigate this horrible disease, and the financial and logistical help given is the greatest impact of the advisory council.
It is through community giving, whether directly or through events such as the Step Up 4 Health & Wellness Expo, that help support the mission to support cancer patients by funding programs which enhance a patient’s journey through a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Today, Friends of the Cancer Center has several programs in place to help patients and receives regular updates from the Cancer Center leadership to make sure they are meeting any emergent needs of patients,” Brooks said.
She said that Cape Fear Valley Health has now expanded into three cancer centers at the Medical Center, at Health Pavilion North, and at Central Harnett Hospital in Lillington, along with support programs at each site.
“Every cancer patient who receives care at any of our locations is potentially impacted by the support provided by donations to Friends of the Cancer Center, due to the wide range of programs offered,” Brooks said.
That connection, which determines need and assistance, is why the FOCC exists.
“I feel the greatest impact of FOCC is our ability to reach out and touch cancer patients during their treatment journey,” Alligood said. “There are many needs, from emotional support to financial help. Our greatest need is for our cancer patients to know that FOCC is here for them because we know that cancer is personal.”
For more information about how to give to the Friends of the Cancer Center or to volunteer, call 910-615-GIVE or email foundation@capefearvalley.com.

(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)