Fayetteville-Cumberland: Pathway to Possibilities Project Steering Committee Meeting, 3/14/08

Attendees:  Larry Keen (Chair)  William Moreno  W.T. Brown  Debra Mintz  James Flood  Mary M. Holmes  Bill Hurley  Kurt deViere  David McCune  Gordon Rose  Malcolm McFadden  Jonathan Morgan (SOG)  Sarah Piland  Will Lambe (SOG)  Sylvia Ray  Inder Nijhawan (FSU)  Elsie Gilmore  Joe Mullis (FTCC)  Robert R. Hines  Phyllis Owens (CCBC)  John Meroski  Kristie Lozano (CCBC)  Jim Konneker  Justin Smith (CCBC)

Major trends in community (since 2001):  Growth  Multiple local/regional planning efforts (BRAC-RTF, Murchison Road, etc)  Military business (Defense Security Technology Accelerator, Military Business Center)  Downtown redevelopment  New Organizations & Community Leaders

What are some other trends in the community that we ought to be aware of as we start this project?  The ongoing challenge of workforce development  Image/brand -- The ongoing challenge of telling the positive story of Fayetteville  People see Fayetteville in very narrow terms- need to expose breadth and depth  Perspective from outsiders that community is not unified – perhaps a disadvantage in terms of econ dev  Perspective that City only provides for certain residents, and not for all parts of the community  Decentralized service provision in county (an advantage for econ dev?)  Many improvements in arts/culture “creative community”—arts community as a growing asset to the community  Ongoing challenge of low-wage employment and affordable housing  Emerging trend of smart growth and sustainability – preservation of green space, water, etc

Overall, the general purpose of the Pathways to Possibilities project is to: Revisit and update the Greater Fayetteville Futures Project (from 2001), engage the community in a planning process, and produce an economic development action plan for next 3 years (and beyond) that will help to position the community for impacts from BRAC and other economic, social and demographic trends.

What one thing do you want to see come out of this effort?  Action plan for ED that includes community involvement and considers the support of emerging businesses  Unified vision for moving forward that is supported by the community with concrete strategies/action steps  Improved state and national image of Fayetteville  Maximize potential from BRAC (“BRAC as Fayetteville’s RTP”)  A viable, realistic action plan for economic transformation  A unified effort of leadership, community engagement and improved quality that will stimulate an environment in which people want to live, learn and do business. A community where the sheer quality and clear pathway to prosperity stimulates an entrepreneurial spirit that creates and attracts organizational investments because they want to be in Cumberland County.  Consensus on action steps  Plan to improve the whole community (not just parts)  Focus on high quality jobs that attract and retain talented young people  Grow and nurture homegrown resources and pride of ownership in community  Move Fayetteville to the economic “inner state”

What is one potential challenge or obstacle that we might face in this process (i.e., pitfalls, landmines)?  Transient nature of community (military-related) that do not feel a sense of community pride.  Cultural Barriers  Funding for economic development (city & county spend $1 million annually)—need to diversify funding sources?  Local gov’t influence- chamber too reliant on city/county funding and susceptible to political influence  Challenge of higher-paying jobs  Apathy—just another study  Not thinking big enough and getting bogged down in minutia  Involving all the stakeholders with an interest in Econ development  Narrow interpretation of the community  Disbelief that the community can do better  Fear of change  Diversity of project steering committee lacking (underrepresentation of small business people and ethnic minorities)  Realistic goals  Limited input by all for all  Consensus on what is a high quality job  Personal agendas aside and creating strategies that benefit the entire community  Local opposition to growth  Education levels (“24% at or below 3rd grade reading level”??)

What is the most important opportunity that this effort will help Cumberland County to take advantage of?  “The key is to diversify our local economy. We cannot rely exclusively on BRAC like we have relied on Goodyear.”  Recognize economic impact of cultural communities (Latino, Asian, etc.) and identify opptys for uniting and developing civic pride  Workforce development through regional BRAC regional growth plan  Recreational facilities that can be developed around cape Fear River  Arts/cultural development  Developing the whole community, not just military business  A strong foundation for future opportunities—resources available for health care, economy, education, environment, that don’t come here because people work in silos.  Internal public relations to help people have increased pride in community