Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - November 4, 2022 Issue

HeroesHomecoming, the largest commemoration in the state, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Director of Tourism Marketing Angie Brady shared some of the history of Heroes Homecoming with Greater Fayetteville Business Journal and offered some details about what to expect at this year’s events.

The initiative was originally introduced in 2011 by then Mayor Tony Chavonne as a way to say thank you to the Vietnam veterans.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: HEROESHOMECOMING.COM

celebrations, giving the community a fun way to show their support.

INNOVATION ECONOMY

The Fayetteville region is seeing significant growth in businesses starting and expanding in our community. At the POWER BREAKFAST ON DECEMBER 1, we will talk about what’s driving these trends, what’s holding us back from further growth and how our innovation economy can fuel further job creation in the future.

JAMES FREEMAN Founder/President Emerging Technology Institute

JUSTIN B. HEMBREE Executive Director Mid-Carolina Regional Council

FRED SURGEON President Surgeon & Associates, Inc.

Ambulatory infusion services

PALMETTO INFUSION COMES TO FAYETTEVILLE TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING INFUSION THERAPIES

Anewoption for ambulatory infusion services is now available in Fayetteville.

Palmetto Infusion, alongside the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the opening of a new ambulatory infusion clinic located at 2301 Robeson Street, Suite 302, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 19. This clinic is the ninth Palmetto clinic to open in the state, and the first Palmetto location in the city.

Palmetto Infusion offers infusion therapy for patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and other chronic disorders. In addition to this, they offer some injectable therapies for various conditions.

Ava Thompson, a patient at the new Fayetteville facility, shared that her experience at Palmetto Infusion has been great.

Ava has POTS syndrome, and prior to Palmetto Infusion coming to Fayetteville, she had to resort to going to the emergency room when she needed treatment. Now she is able to receive treatment regularly once a week in a more convenient way.

“They treat you like family here,” shared Ava’s mom, Shannon Thompson. “It keeps us out of the hospital and allows her to function better

daily…she’s a lot less sick.”

The 2,733-square-foot infusion clinic adds 14 reclining chairs to accommodate the ever-increasing need for accessible ambulatory infusion services. The facility is strictly outpatient and only sees patients that have been referred to them by a physician. The staff at Palmetto Infusion prioritize the comfort of their patients.

Chief Operating Officer for Palmetto Infusion Matt Angel shared additional details about the company and the services it provides with Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

“Each facility is either staffed with a MD or a nurse practitioner, and then in addition to that, they have nurses and all our nurses are trained

to start IV access and administer, and are trained and educated on, the therapies that we provide. So, we truly are specialists in these types of therapies,” remarked Angel. “We try to provide a lot of the convenient features such as free drive up parking and Wi-Fi at our facilities, comfortable infusion chairs, snacks and drinks. And we also have television monitors for our patients while they receive their treatment.”

Palmetto Infusion not only works to provide great care, but also aims to provide affordable services to those that need them. “We are the most cost effective site to receive these type of therapies,” said Angel. “You know, there's multiple places that you might be able to receive these types of therapies, there’s the hospital [where] you can receive them. Some of the hospitals have their own

ambulatory infusion centers. And then there's also a home infusion component, but a lot of the therapies that we administer, really aren't safe to be done in the home because they do have a very high side effect profile, so, this is really one of the most cost—is the most cost-effective and safest place to receive these type of treatments.”

Palmetto Infusion’s Marketing Coordinator Kaley Nevin shared a bit about the process for an individual to be seen at their facility.

“Patients come to us by referral only from their physician. For instance, if a patient has Crohn's disease and their gastroenterologist determines the next course of action in mitigating their symptoms is a biologic, the doctor will refer the patient to us to administer that treatment. We have 'plans of treatment' listed on our website that physicians can download to fill in and fax/upload to us. Once we get that referral, we'll make contact with the patient, welcome them to Palmetto Infusion, and start the onboarding process which includes everything from insurance verification to checking for any possible financial assistance programs.”

Nevin shared that the company plans to continue expanding to areas where there is a need for their services.

“It's part of our company's mission is to create better access to these life changing therapies. And so, we're in several markets in North Carolina, Charlotte and Raleigh, but as we were in the Raleigh market, we started actually seeing patients travel all the way from Fayetteville up to our Raleigh Center, which you know, that's that's pretty good distance to travel to get your infusion therapy every other week or once a month. So, as we began to realize that we had a patient population that was underserved here in Fayetteville, North Carolina, it made sense for us to open a facility here,” shared Angel. “We service over 11,000 patients across NC, SC, GA, and AL. In addition, we will soon be expanding into FL and VA to provide even more access to patients requiring these life-altering medications.”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY: TAYLOR MAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Above: Palmetto Infusion staff were joined by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to celebrate the opening of the first Fayetteville location.

Below: Before having access to the Fayetteville location, Ava Thompson, a Palmetto Infusion patient, would go to the emergency room for treatment.

“ They treat you like family here,” shared Ava’s mom, Shannon Thompson. “It keeps us out of the hospital and allows her to function better daily…she’s a lot less sick.”

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MARKETING CONTENT

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© Copyright 2022

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

It’s

hard to believe that we have less than 60 days left in 2022!

Where has the time gone? To the history books, that’s where!

Oh, how I love history. Not every one shares my love, in fact, not many. I’m not sure why, there’s so much to learn! So many mistakes could be avoided by having a good under standing of the past.

Take, for example, some recent history of the last three years. In November 2019, many business con ferences were being lined up for the coming new year. All had borrowed the catch phrase of “2020 vision” or some other derivative of this, as if the new year was going to provide new and greater insight.

Little did any of us realize the magnitude of what lay before us in the ensuing months. Of course, 2021 was just an odd extension of 2020 in some ways, but a light was grow ing at the end of the tunnel. 2022 brought a new hope of diminished Covid numbers, but then quickly also introduced the challenge of an overheated economy riddled with inflation, a terribly performing stock market and rising mortgage rates.

So, as a lover of history, what’s one to make of the last three years? Ok, I get it, too broad. Let’s narrow the historical focus to business only. What should those of us who have to meet a payroll be learning from this brief account of history?

HERE ARE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS:

Your employees will make or break you! Treat them well. The employment uncertainty of 2020 and then the great resigna tion, slow quitting, and WFH (work from home) dilemma that followed has many old school, unadaptable employers scratch ing their heads. Figure this out. There’s no silver bullet, get help if needed. A business coach can help here, so can an industry peer group. Seek help.

Cash is still king (with a little k!) Pay attention to your open accounts receivables, keep a cash reserve for unexpected expenses or circumstances, keep at least three to six months of expenses in cash, if possible. Start with one and build up from there. Take advantage of grants where available and applicable.

When possible, do business with people and businesses that do business with you. This is such an easy gesture, but I am always amazed at organizations that don’t take advantage of this practice. It also has always been a frustration of mine in dealing with many local governments and other non-profits. We should all want our tax and charitable giving dollars to stay local rather than going out of our region and state. Let’s keep the money closer to home.

Find ways to collaborate with other businesses. Become a member of the local ______ (you fill in the blank.) We all need each other!

Stop worrying about who gets the credit. I never minded paying huge commission checks to salespeople and giving them awards, etc. A rising tide lifts all boats. Who out there needs to learn from this lesson?

Take your customers calls/ emails. Always. Return their calls/emails. Always. Your job is to serve them. They will keep you going in good times, and the not-so good times.

Don’t be afraid to tell someone “No.” “No, not interested. No thanks, you can take me off your list,” etc. If you are in sales and business development, you know exactly what I mean. A good sales and business development

person knows that most deals are made well after the eighth contact, and with the prepon derance of information out there today, it might possibly take double that to win some deals. I know we can’t and shouldn’t respond to every unsolicited request for an appointment, etc. But if a prospect makes an initial inquiry and later is no longer interested, the right thing to do is to let the other party know by a simple, “thanks but I am not interested any further.”

Sales still cover a multitude of sins! Your organization needs new sales, no matter who you are. No matter how successful your business is/was, if you decide to just take care of your “base,” the beginning of the end has begun!

Innovation is the key to longev ity. New processes, new applica tions, outsourcing, insourcing, new products, etc. Find ways to innovate, but not at the expense of your customers and your peo ple.

Have faith. You were not meant to live this life without it. Figure this out. Seek the wise counsel of someone you trust if you need help here. The Good Book says, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” No business, or anything else, is worth that!

Finally, history says that those who don’t learn from it are doomed to repeat it. Let’s break the strong holds of past mistakes. Let’s forgive each other where needed and learn the lessons we need to learn from history!

The Business Journal brings readers news and perspective on business happenings in Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Robeson, Bladen and Sampson counties.

From HEROES,

For the first several years that the event took place, the theme for Heroes Homecoming revolved around different conflicts. One year was dedicated to honoring those who served in Iraq, another honored those who served in Afghanistan. Then 2018 happened to mark both 100 years of Fort Bragg and 100 years of Armistice Day or Veterans Day, and that inspired the theme of a centennial of service.

Following 2018, the theme for the event was more flexible and tended to reflect something relevant to the events of the year. An example of this is when they honored the medical military in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fort Bragg is the home of the 44th Medical Brigade, which is the largest medical unit in the army. This year's theme is “Heroes at Home.” The events will be honoring the military families, the children, the spouses, the extended family and the community who also make sacrifices when someone in their household serves.

Heroes Homecoming is happy to have 35 partners this year and they have organized about 12 events from Nov. 5 to Nov. 12. Heroes Homecoming works hand in hand with the Cumberland County Veterans Council, the organization that plans the annual Veterans Day Parade which typically serves as the kickoff event

for Heroes Homecoming’s variety of events.

Another annual event that will take place during Heroes Homecoming is the Chili Cookoff. Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Dirtbag Ales, will host the 4th Annual Hope Mills Chili Cookoff as part of Heroes Homecoming on Nov. 12 starting at 12 p.m. For $10 attendees can sample five different chilis and vote for their favorite. For $30, guests can sample every concoction entered in the contest. Then, at the end of the day, the top three chilis will be given a special award.

President of the Hope Mills Chamber Casey Ferris shared that a portion of the proceeds earned during the Chili Cookoff will be donated to the Cumberland County VAC, Veterans Affairs Council, to be earmarked to be used when families at home are struggling while their breadwinner is deployed or has been injured in the line of duty.

Heroes Homecoming’s organizers said their partners have a lot of creative liberty when planning their events. “We give them a theme, and it's up to them as to what the event is. It's within their bandwidth, what they can withstand doing and then we do all the marketing. So, we don't dictate, you know, what the event looks like. Only that it follows the

theme and it's in a set, kind of parameter of dates,” shared Brady.

Brady also shared that FACVB does not typically do an event, but with it being the 10th anniversary of Heroes Homecoming, they decided to undertake the extra challenge. FACVB planned Family Fun Day which will take place at Sweet Valley Ranch after the Veteran’s Day Parade. The event is free admission and will feature food trucks, live music, and inflatables for the children to play on.

“... because our theme is honoring our heroes at home; we wanted to make sure that there was an event that did just that,” commented Brady.

Other events on the schedule include a wreath laying ceremony, a family fishing workshop, a Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by FTCC, and that is only a few of the many events planned to honor the brave individuals serving our country and their families as well.

Though it is a lot of work, Brady is grateful to be in charge of such a valuable event.

“I've been intimately involved in Heroes Homecoming since 2016, and I came to this community with no military affiliation and I say it every year with the partners around the table, but this by far, is my most favorite project that I get to work on every year. Because you know, our neigh-

bors, the spouses of our co-workers, you know, just the guy sitting next to you at the restaurant, somehow, some way, someone that you come in contact with is somehow affiliated with Fort Bragg. And to make that sacrifice and to say, you're going to go and fight for our freedom and defend our home, it is, it's humbling, to say the least. I just absolutely am honored that I have been given the responsibility to chair this initiative. And for me, it's the right thing to do in this community…” said Brady. When Brady took over chairing the initiative in 2016, it was expanded from just Fayetteville to all of Cumberland County. Brady and the other dedicated individuals and organizations working to organize Heroes Homecoming hope to continue to grow the annual event and to bring in more guests from outside of the county to enjoy these events honoring our members in service.

To view a complete list of events for this year’s Heroes Homecoming visit:

www.heroeshomecoming.com

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: HEROESHOMECOMING.COM

Left: Heroes Homecoming celebrates 10 years of honoring veterans and active military members across all branches.

Right: The 10th anniversary of Heroes Homecoming will celebrate not only service members, but also their families who sacrifice and support them back home.

ACHIEVERS

Cumberland County hires first Chief Diversity Officer

Cumberland County now has its first chief diversity officer after hiring NIKEISHA WARING in early October. Waring assumed the role on Oct. 10, and shared her excitement for the job. “I’m looking forward to work ing with the DEI Advisory Com mittee and other stakeholders to help further Cumber land County’s goals of being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive place for our employees,” said Waring in a press release. “It is important to me that every County employee knows that ‘This person believes in you.’”

a press release. “I will work to the utmost of my ability to reward that trust while partnering with all mem bers of the community to ever better serve FA’s students.”

With nearly three decades of expe rience, Fisher has worked in indepen dent school education as a teacher, Middle School Dean of Students, and as Head of School at Charlotte Preparatory School. Fisher also has a record of military service, serving in the U.S. Army and also being the son of a Veteran, he said he is excited about the future of Fayetteville Academy and leading the school in a shared vision.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Waring retired from the military in November 2020 after 22 years at Fort Bragg. She served in numerous capacities throughout her time in the military. During her last four years with the military, she served as an Equal Opportunity Advisor, planning, directing, implementing and monitoring EEO programs, and advising senior leadership on issues affecting the workforce, including the effectiveness and status of EEO program goals, efficiency and legal compliance.

Following her military career, Waring served as an Equal Em ployment Opportunity Specialist at the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Norfolk, VA. She received her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Excelsior University in Albany, NY, and holds a number of certifications related to EEO Training, Leadership and Mediation.

“I am excited about the experience Mrs. Waring brings from her career in the military and education, and I believe her addition will allow us to continue the momentum that has been building over the past several years in the area of DEI,” said Coun ty Manager Amy Cannon in a press release. “Mrs. Waring will be tasked with advancing the County’s prior ities of Diversity, Equity and Inclu sion through coordination with the DEI Advisory Committee, County department heads, the Management Team and Board of Commissioners, employees and other stakeholders. Among her first priorities will be working to continue implementation of the County’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan, which was adopted earlier this year.”

Harnett County

welcomes Natalie Pusser as Regional Jetport Director

Harnett Regional Jetport is under new leadership following the an nouncement that NATALIE PUSSER has been named the new Harnett Region al Jetport Director.

Pusser has nearly a decade of avi ation management experience under her belt and has held a number of po sitions at the Jetport since 2003. Included on her resume are Office Manager, FBO Manager, and most recently, the Operations Manag er, with responsibil ities including coor dination of airport projects and airfield use for military training, monitoring, and reporting security regulations, and overseeing compliance with local, state, and fed eral airport rules and regulations.

Pusser said she is looking forward to her new role with the County in a press release.

“Having a great team of employ ees and a loving aviation community makes coming to work a joy,” stated Pusser. “It is an honor to serve the airport in this role and exciting to see how the County plans to grow the airport over the next five to 10 years.”

Her new job duties include being responsible for directing the County’s airport operations, monitoring, and implementing safety procedures, serv ing as the liaison for airport projects and grant funding opportunities, promoting economic development and business expansion at the air port, and ensuring Harnett Regional Jetport adheres to county, state, and federal guidelines.

“Harnett Regional Jetport is an

important piece of our county’s via bility in economic development, and we are fortunate to have this hidden jewel in our community,” said Pusser in a press release.

Pusser graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.

“I am excited to have Natalie Puss er join our team as Jetport Director,” stated County Manager Brent Trout in a press release. “She works hard at providing great customer service to our pilots and visitors at our Jetport and has performed well as the Man ager of Operations during the interim period since the County took over airport operations. Natalie has the passion to take the necessary steps to see this airport continue to improve and grow in the future for Harnett County.”

Fayetteville Academy names new Head of School

Fayetteville Academy’s Board of Trustees have selected a new hire to serve as the next Head of School starting July 1, 2023.

NORMAN “BLAIR” FISHER will be taking over the role, relocating from Mobile, Alabama where he previously served as the Head of School for St. Paul’s Episcopal School. While at St. Paul’s, Fisher led 1,250 students and 185 faculty and staff members, more than doubled the school’s endowment and created a highly successful planned giving pro gram. Additionally, he oversaw over $10 million of campus improvements and increased school diversity by over 50 percent.

“I am honored that Fayetteville Academy is entrusting me to serve as Head of School,” Fisher said in

“During my six years in the mil itary and 28 years as an educator, I have learned that the success of any organization or community depends on two foundational factors: having talented people in key leadership po sitions and the creation and mainte nance of a culture where stakeholders – whatever their background, identi ty, or worldview – coalesce around a shared vision and common set of val ues,” Fisher shared in a press release.

Fisher was selected following a three month national search con ducted by an 11- member search committee supported by the South ern Teachers Agency. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from George Mason University before receiving two Master’s of Education degrees from George Mason Univer sity and Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Joshua Barkman, chairman of FA’s Board of Trustees expressed gratitude for the work of the Search Committee and Southern Teach ers.“We laud all who were involved for their commitment and dedication to the integrity of the search process,” Barkman said in a press release.

Fisher will be taking over for the current Head of School Ray Quesnel, who has held the position for the last 11 years.

“The Board of Trustees wishes to communicate their continuing support of Ray Quesnel, our current head of school, and to thank Ray, along with his wife Wendy, for their service to Fayetteville Academy,” Barkman said.

Fayetteville realtor announced as “Rookie of the Year” finalist

Fayetteville realtor ALEX MCFADYEN is receiving national recognition by being named as one of the Top 10 finalists for RISMedia’s Real Estate Rookie of the Year.

McFadyen, who works for Cold

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.

To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY:

Waring

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: HARNETT COUNTY Pusser

Fisher

From ACHIEVERS, page 8

well Banker Advan tage, is being con sidered based on his 2021 sales volume and transaction data, investment in pro fessional education, technology prowess and community involvement.

According to a release from RIS Media, McFadyen’s rookie year in real estate was bolstered by a strong lead-generation strategy and coach ing, along with his own unbridled enthusiasm.

“The biggest contributing factor to my success in my rookie year was my passion for real estate,” Mcfadyen said. “I wake up every day knowing that I am able to do something that I love and it has helped me excel.”

Coldwell Banker Advantage Gen eral Manager Alan Tucker shared his support for Mcfadyen on social media stating “We are extremely proud of Alex McFadyen. Alex has achieved this level of success through hard work, dedication and a commit ment to quality service.”

“My mentors at Coldwell Banker Advantage have also played a huge part in my success,” said McFadyen in a release. “The strong leadership at CBA has helped me grow not only as an agent, but as a person.”

McFadyen said he appreciates that his career will never be boring. “What I love most about the real estate busi ness is that every day is something new,” he said. “I enjoy all of the great people that I meet.”

RISMedia launched its inaugu ral Real Estate Rookie of the Year award, recognizing new agents for their accomplishments in 2021. The winner will be announced and award ed during RISMedia’s Power Broker Reception & Dinner on Nov. 11 in Orlando Florida during the annual NAR NXT the REALTOR Experi ence.

Cumberland County hires new Human Resources Director

Cumberland County recently announced the hiring of DOMINIQUE HALL as the County’s new Human Resources Director.

Hall started in her new role with the County on Mon day, Oct. 24, and comes to Cumber land County from Dougherty County, Georgia. While there, she served as the County’s Human Resources Director since August 2016. Prior to that, she served in other roles in the Dougherty County Human Re sources Department, including as a Human Resources Project Manager.

“I am eager to make the transi tion to Cumberland County to help strengthen the County’s Human Resources efforts,” said Hall in a press release. “One of my favorite quotes and one I try to live by is from Maya Angelou – ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Therefore, I strive to always treat everyone with kindness.”

Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia South western State University and holds

a Professional in Human Resources certification from the Human Re sources Certification Institute. She has also served as an adjunct in structor of accounting with Albany Technical College since 2010.

“We were impressed by Ms. Hall’s experience and background during the recruitment process, as well as her exuberance and passion for HR and the critical role the department plays in moving organizations forward,” said County Manager Amy Cannon in a press release. “I believe Ms. Hall will be able to come in and work with Human Resources staff and County Management to make immediate progress on moving many of the County’s HR goals and initiatives forward.”

Hall has also been involved in nu merous projects in her current orga nization that are relevant to ongoing priorities in Cumberland County, including the recent completion and implementation of a compensation study. She was also heavily involved in her organization’s transition to Tyler Munis and has experience working with a digital timekeeping solution.

McFadyen

Hall

Helping Fayetteville BusinessesWeather the Storm

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• During storms, extended outages or other emergencies, we keep in contact with you to address your specific needs. Be sure to provide, or update, your contact information (before a storm hits) through the Storm Central/Business Continuity link at faypwc.com.

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Customer Focused. Community Strong.

Market cool down

FAYETTEVILLE REAL ESTATE MARKET SEES DEMAND IN CONSTRUCTION START TO SLOW DOWN

Despite rising interest rates, inflation, and issues in supply chains and a labor shortage over the past two years, the Fayetteville real estate market may be starting to cool down as construction demands begin to decrease slightly in 2022.

President of the Homebuilders Association of Fayetteville and Co-Owner of A&G Residential Jamie Godwin spoke with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal to discuss the current climate in home building in a post-pandemic market.

“In our local market, as well as most places probably across the Carolinas, the last two years have been tremendous as far as busy,” said Godwin. “It seems like the supply chain issues that most folks were seeing seem to have leveled out. There are still a couple of items that are you know, hit or miss that are hard to get from time to time, but some of those things seem to have been alleviated some.”

Godwin said that the low interest rates during the last two years encouraged people to want to buy homes, but now with mortgage interest rates rising to around 7 percent, people are turning away from new builds.

“We’re a spec home builder, which means we build houses for sale, they're not all sold when we get started. So, the last two years everybody has been being a little bit aggressive on how many houses you're willing to start based on the market. And the demand was so high that for the last two years, at least for us as a builder, we've not had a finished ‘for sale’ home in over two years. And we're starting to have some, they're really close to being finished now,” said Godwin. “So, I think that's kind of, across the whole market, that sales per month have slowed down. And I think you’re going to see that in the resale market as well.”

Despite a national housing crisis, Godwin says the Fayetteville market has always remained steady thanks to the soldier population on Fort Bragg.

“Particularly in Fayetteville a lot of our buyers are military and a lot of them are transient. So, it’s very

PIXABAY/PEXELS

While demand for new home construction begins to slow in the Fayetteville area, the pricing for both new and used homes continues to rise.

likely that they're gonna maybe move or sell their home in the next you know, two, three, five years. So, that's a good option that they can use like an adjustable-rate mortgage to get a lower rate up front. You know, it's going to go up at some point but hopefully the rates come back down, they can refinance, pay or sell their house in that period, so that makes it you know, at least an affordable payment,” said Godwin.

Godwin said that as demand for new builds starts to decrease, home builders are switching up their offerings to buyers.

“The other thing that we're looking at is offering some incentives that we're doing, and several other builders are doing the same thing, where you offer them some concessions toward closing costs,” said Godwin. “And maybe not just the traditional closing costs but using some of those dollars toward buying the rates down. Buying interest points and getting their interest rates down over the life of the loan which is, honestly, way more significant to them then to lower the price of the house, because their payments going to be lower and then their overall investment in

the home is going to be lower as well because the interest rate compounds significantly.”

Godwin said that factors such as cost per square foot and consumer wants based on affordability may affect what homes will be built moving forward.

“I think you’re going to see the size of houses that people are building get smaller because that's going to lower the price as well. There’s kind of a correlation there. You're going to see maybe some of the average house sized a little bit smaller, and in some cases, maybe some of the finishes become more optional. So, like the standards may be a little bit lower, unless you want to upgrade,” said Godwin.

“Typically, you see that in most communities where we differentiate products between the house size, type and finish drives a price point. The other thing with affordability right now is the costs are high. Not only land costs are, because the demand the cost of development, putting in the infrastructure the streets, water, sewer, those type things is up significantly over the last several years as well. All those go into the lot price

if you're doing a subdivision. So, all those different things impact that price.

While demand for new home construction begins to slow, the pricing for both new and used housing continues to rise. According to President of the Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Amanda Smith, the median and average sales prices for homes in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas are up despite the number of new listings going down, meaning homes are retaining their value through a shifting market.

“We’re starting to kind of see us return to pre-pandemic levels, which were good years in real estate,” said Smith. “There’s no bubble. You know, I still will talk to people about real estate, and they’ll say ‘Oh, the bubbles coming.’ There are some drastic differences between 2007, 2008, 2009 and now. So, there’s not a bubble and home values are continuing to increase, but the interest rates certainly play a part in in the housing market.”

Smith said that a slow down in demand is beneficial to make sure the market stays balanced between buyers and sellers.

“I think certainly, you know there are less new listings and there’s less pending sales. So that would tribulate out to all the realtors probably not being quite as busy as we were earlier in the year,” said Smith. “But my thought on that is, you know we needed some correction and a bit of cool down. It's been awfully difficult for buyers to get into homes at some price points. So, while we are not a balanced market yet we're starting to trend towards some balance. So yeah, I mean, definitely not as many houses to sell. So that will impact realtors, but there's still enough activity out there.”

Virtual info session

THE NORTH CAROLINA MILITARY BUSINESS CENTER INTRODUCES NEW WEB BASED BID SYSTEM

North Carolina Military Business Center will host “In troduction to Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System” virtually on Nov. 15, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System is a webbased, free to use application that en ables the vendor community to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests for Quotations. Through DIBBS, users can search for and view Requests for Proposal, Invitations for Bid, Awards, and other procurement information.

This training will provide an over view of DIBBS registration, searching solicitations, accessing technical data, submitting quotes, and searching awards. Participants will also be able to ask questions.

The instructor for the session, Joe

The NCMBC continues to connect the community with military business opportunities with “Introduction to Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System” web series.

Tew, is located in NCMBC’s Blue Ridge Community College office and has been working with DIBBS for about two years.

“The purpose of this is just to help businesses understand this resource

to find out about opportunities with the Defense Logistics Agency and it's almost like giving them a learner's permit to know this is what you need to do to start driving this program. And then let them, you know, begin

to develop their skills if they decide this is something that they want to pursue,” shared Tew.

Interested individuals do not need to have any experience with the program or any previous knowledge regarding the application in order to attend and benefit from the session.

“...DLA, they work with over 12,000 suppliers right now, and they're always looking to expand their defense industrial base. And if you want to, if you're a business and want to be a part of their supply chain, this is an excellent way to enter into those opportunities,” added Tew.

Attendees must register online prior to the event by going to www.ncmbc.us/event.

DON’T MISS BEING IN THE 2023 BOOK ON BUSINESS

The Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Fayetteville region as a center of business. The publication and event also serves as an annual update to business and community leaders on initiatives to boost economic development. In addition to being mailed to Business Journal subscribers, The Book on Business will be distributed throughout the year at Business Journal events and by area Chambers, economic development groups and other institutions that support business development in the region.

JUDIT PETER/PEXELS

Small Business Administration

THE SBA OFFERS LOAN PROGRAMS AND PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BANKS TO BRING FUNDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Standingin support of small business owners and entrepreneurs, the Small Business Administration is working to provide funding, counseling and information to small businesses across the country.

The Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration is one branch of the organization working to support the future of small businesses on a local level by working with tribes across the country including the Lumbee tribe in Pembroke, NC.

On Oct. 19, 2022, the SBA brought face-to face support to present and future entrepreneurs.

The Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub partnered with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to host the first SBA Town Hall event.

Included were panel discussions aimed at small business owners, including topics like government contracting, community business resources and, most importantly, funding information on the various loans programs available to small businesses for socially and economically disadvantaged communities through the SBA.

While the Office of Native American Affairs does outreach with other tribes across the country, leaders said it was a priority to connect with the Lumbee Tribe as they are the largest tribe located east of the Mississippi River.

“There was a great turnout, it was standing room only. We had a number of businesses that we appreciate them taking time out of their days in their small businesses,” said Assistant Administrator for the SBA Office of Native American Affairs Jackson Brossy.

The SBA offers two main loan programs which vary in how much and what they will cover. The 7(a) loan, the most common loan program according to the SBA, and the long-term 504 loan program.

The 7(a) loan includes financial help for businesses with special requirements. While the loan is the best option for a business-related real estate purchase renovation or construction, it can also be used for short-term working capital, refinancing current business debt, and the

purchase of furniture, fixtures and supplies. The maximum amount for a 7(a) loan is $5 million, and the key eligibility factors are based on what a business does to receive its income, its credit history, and where the business operates.

Some of the business eligibility requirements for a 7(a) loan include operating for profit, being considered a small business following the SBA’s definition, and using alternative financial resources, including personal assets, before seeking financial assistance.

7(a) loans are traditionally repaid through monthly payments of principal and applied interest. Payments do stay the same for fixed rate loans because their interest rate stays constant, but for variable loans the lender can require a different payment amount if the interest rate changes.

The 504 loan program is a fixed rate financing loan for major fixed assets. According to the SBA website, 504 loans are available through Certified Development Companies, the SBA’s community-based partners who regulate nonprofits and “promote economic development within

their communities,” but who are also certified and regulated by the SBA. The maximum loan amount for a 504 loan is $5 million with the exception of certain energy projects.

For those exceptions, the borrower can receive up to $5.5 million per project and a total of $16.5 million total for up to three projects.

To be eligible for a 504 loan, your business must operate as a for profit company in the U.S. or its territories, have a tangible net worth of less than $15 million, and have an average net income of less than $5 million after federal income taxes for the two years preceding your application.

Other eligibility standards for a 504 loan include falling within SBA size guidelines, having qualified management expertise, a realistic business plan, good character, and the ability to repay the loan.

A 504 loan can be used for a number of things that promote business growth and job creation such as new facilities, long term machinery and equipment, or the improvement of land, streets, utilities, parking lots and landscaping and existing facilities.

Despite their titles, both the loans

are not traditional loans. Instead, the SBA works to back a portion of loans taken out by small businesses through the programs.

“Both of these 7(a) and 504 products are loan guarantees, where the SBA says that if, for some reason the borrower isn't able to pay back the bank for the loan, the SBA will step in and pay a portion of that. And so that way, if you're a small business that is new starting up and you haven't had that opportunity to build up a track record, like a lot of larger businesses do, hopefully, the bank will be more likely to do that,” said Brossy.

The Small Business Administration partners with local banks to help business owners get the funding they need. Lumbee Guaranty Bank is one local bank that doubles as an SBA approved lender. According to Chief Credit Officer James Gore, the bank looks for opportunities where SBA assistance may be beneficial to a client and then helps them work on the proper loan program that is best for them.

“We use SBA as the backup, if you will, as a tool that could potentially help us. When we have a loan situation that doesn't quite check all the boxes for us to be able to consider it within our risk profile,” said Gore. While operating locally across 14 branches in three counties, Gore said being a local option helps give them an edge when it comes to helping their clients.

“We're very attuned to the needs of the community and we look at long opportunities as can we figure out a way to make these work within the risk tolerance,” said Gore. “If we have a loan need that is presented and it had some factors in it that makes the risk a little bit out of our guidance, And then that's where we start looking for, ‘okay, is there a way to make this work?’”

Full loan information can be found online at www.SBA.gov.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: SBA NORTH CAROLINA DISTRICT OFFICE

SBA leaders and representatives from the Lumbee Tribe joined together for the SBA Town Hall Event at the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub

Reader’s Guide

BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Fayetteville courthouses, state government offices and information websites. The listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region that were recently incorporated in the State of North Carolina.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Marquette Street L.L.C. 6605 Marquette St Fayetteville Agent: Harry Galdon III

Elite Sign Solutions LLC 4775 Game Road Wade Agent: Brian C Fulcher

SWPM Lakeshore LLC 720 Piper Farm Rd Fayetteville Agent: Keri Alpers

Thunder Xpress llc 6415 Winthrop drive Fayetteville Agent: Morris Simmons

21065 LLC 7136 Holmfield Rd. Fayetteville Agent: Eleanor Banzon

RLM Property Manage ment Company LLC 5832 RIVERCROFT RD Fayetteville Agent: Bethany Ashley Ma this

Unknown Destiny Garage LLC 1385 Lillington Hwy. Fayetteville Agent: Joel Valiente-Rivera

Blissful Elite Travel LLC 5739 Ivanhoe Ct Fayetteville Agent: Billy L Elliott-Mc Clain II

Philly Style LLC 6847 Candlewood Drive Fayetteville Agent: Jennifer D Wash ington

Hastings Precision Rental L.L.C 1175 Derbyshire Rd Fayetteville Agent: kemar jamoy hastings

Bright Cornerstone LLC

7019 Media Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Marie Saundra Smith

IVN Logistics LLC 201 Lawson Street Fayetteville Agent: Ivan R Chavez-Ro bles

Kisha's Little Lamb Day care LLC 2514 Leanna Drive Eastover Agent: Mary McEachin

Successful Vets Inc. 505 Northampton Road Fayetteville Agent: Ahmad Damra

P2P Personal Connection LLC 105 Dundee Lane Spring Lake Agent: James Larry Person

Braaap Motorcycles USA LLC 6216 Yadkin Rd Fayetteville Agent: Jason Bach

Smith & Sons Towing LLC 1803 Oak Tree Court Fayetteville Agent: Paul Smith Jr

Perfomance on Demand Solutions LLC 2502 Lockwood Rd Fayetteville Agent: Jaron Franklin

Different Angles LLC 4317 Ramsey St Fayetteville Agent: Davis W. Puryear

PRINCE SMOKE INC. 706-C N Reilly Rd Fayetteville Agent: ABDULLAH DER HEM ALKASEM

CF Solar LLC 2905 Hampton Ridge Rd Fayetteville Agent: Bennett Strickland

PROANALYTICS LLC 410 Regency Dr Unit 301 Fayetteville Agent: Rebecca A Johnson

VC Design & Construction Inc. 301 Cumberland Street Fayetteville Agent: Antonio V Carr

KPP Unlimited LLC 905 Coldwater Drive Fayetteville Agent: Ronald Paul

L & J Fiesta Distribution LLC 6580 Lexi Lane Apt 108 Fayetteville Agent: Lorena Navarro Guillen

Lacourse Holdings LLC 5075 Morganton Road Suite 10c #1467

Fayetteville Agent: Lynn Lacourse

Motu Polynesia 8624 Sweetflag Ct Linden Agent: Cheyenne K Thaxton

Robeson Plaza IV LLC 4321 Ferncreek Dr Fayetteville Agent: GIRA D PATEL

Bearstead LLC 5493 Kentucky Lane Hope Mills Agent: Robert Thomas Golliher-Strange

Valid Views LLC 2912 A John Brady Rd Fayetteville Agent: Sarah L Bozeman

CARLISLE FAMILY HOME STEAD LLC 6409 OAK GROVE CHURCH RD STEDMAN Agent: David Michael Carlisle

P3-Consulting Solutions LLC 5605 Westbranch Dr Fayetteville Agent: Fallon L Procter II

ALC TRUCKING AND DIS PATCHING LLC 3847 Glencor ra Dr Fayetteville Agent: Arthur Lee Coleman Jr

Robeson Plaza III LLC 4321 FERNCREEK DR Fayetteville Agent: GIRA D PATEL

Social Hearts Scrubs LLC 1047 Tyler Drive Fayetteville Agent: Faheemah B Nichols

DC Real Estate Group LLC 3502 Thorndike Drive Fayetteville Agent: Maurice Davis

ASDW Contracting LLC 1660 Pristine Lane Hope Mills Agent: Ira Daniel Washington III

HAND AND HAND RESCUE NONPROFIT 1241 FORT BRAGG RD Fayetteville Agent: Sherri Patricia hinson

DV Real Estate LLC 2806 Baywood Rd Eastover Agent: Debindra Jattan

KENT WILSON LLC 1530 BOSWELL CT Fayetteville Agent: KENNETH WILSON

BORGES REALTY LLC 5310 YADKIN ROAD Fayetteville Agent: ELITE ACCOUNTING CORPORATION

VIBEZ WHOLESALE MEATS LLC 909 Scully Dr Fayetteville Agent: SHAIFALI K CHAPA TWALA

Eastover Commons LLC 4851 Veasey Mill Road Wade Agent: Thomas E. Hanson

M & R HANDIMAN Inc. 1122 Center St Fayetteville Agent: Miguel Robles Rodriguez

we do it all home improve ment company llc 133 N PLYMOUTH ST FAYETTEVILLE Agent: James Jones

Big Dawg Eatz'93 LLC 127 Wall Street Fayetteville Agent: Diamond Shanique Wall

Transporte Interprice llc 1563 Rossmore Drive Fayetteville Agent: Octavio E Reyes Chavez

J & B Serenity Connec tions L.L.C. 5508 Abbeville Cir Hope Mills Agent: Billie J Crutcher

Eternal Services LLC 5818 Lady Way Hope Mills Agent: Tyronza Brazel

One Four One Nine LLC 1419 Faircloth st Fayetteville Agent: Rasheedah Raheemah Sadiq

Identity Center Inc. 408 Lewis Clark Dr Hope Mills Agent: Antonio Daniels

Recon Neurology & Psy chiatry LLC 6825 Council Rd Fayetteville Agent: Matthew Kyle Banks

Dynamic Aerial Shipping LLC 7574 Shumont Dr Fayetteville Agent: Marcus McGee

THE PERFECT HOME RENTALS LLC 8629 SWEETFLAG COURT Linden Agent: Dominiic Beach

THE CLAY PIT 6408 BROOKSTONE LANE SUITE G FAYETTEVILLE Agent: DIONNE D YOUNG

Eastern Land Develop ment LLC 120 Dusty Ln Linden Agent: Jonathan Roger Pollard

Time 2 Rejoice Foundation Inc 2051 Osceola Dr Fayetteville Agent: Sonia B Davis

Caring Hands Outreach Ministry Inc 6012 Goldenrain Drive Fayetteville Agent: Daniel Edmonds Sr.

Videos 4 Christ LLC 3441 Dorado Circle Fayetteville Agent: Louis Henry Rollins II Wright's Masonry Services Inc. 5808 Wallace Dr Hope Mills Agent: Arnold Wright

Rosa and Rufus Incorpo rated 2606 raeford rd Fayetteville Agent: Tara Ingram Slipperyz LLC 6420 Applecross Avenue Apt C Fayetteville Agent: Tonea Amber Cameron

Investor University Inc 301 Cumberland Street Fayetteville Agent: Antonio Vento Carr

Modify Therapy Services

PLLC 2632 Elmhurst Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Donna Lisa Thompson

Restoration Habitat Incorporated 1505 Dunbrook Court Fayetteville Agent: Windell J Piper

Uncommon Chique LLC 2659 Middle Branch Bnd Fayetteville Agent: Tashanna Doreen Erby

Abernathy Tree Service LLC 1015 Ring Wood Rd Fayetteville Agent: Jeffrey C Abernathy

Electric Real Estate Limit ed Liability Company 4315 Gr uber Rd H4817/d106 Fayetteville Agent: kamel mills

GGM3-Gillespie LLC 2309 Gillespie St Fayetteville Agent: Sheryl L Warga

Stogie Craft LLC 3413 Hawthorne St Hope Mills Agent: MATTHEW STEBLE TON

Standing with Fathers 2060 Wilbur Street Eastover Agent: Orlando Smith

YMJ Home Improvement LLC 5451 hubble dr Apt B Fayetteville Agent: Yeltsin Mejia

MULLEN MANAGEMENT LLC 1820 BALTIC RD Spring Lake

Agent: CHRISTOPHER MULLEN

Grunt lock and key llc 3117 Bogota Ct Fayetteville Agent: Damon Troy Ritz

Carrie's Kitchen Concoctions LLC 7300 Layton Drive Fayetteville Agent: Carrie M Rodriguez-Rutledge

Cloud Vape and Tobacco LLC 5601 Yadkin RD Fayetteville Agent: Yahya Alsaidi

TAB Home Inspections LLC 3139 Metthame Dr Fayetteville Agent: Austin Babb

Carter Strong LLC 452 Bristlecone Dr Fayetteville Agent: Myron Xavier Mayo

NER Heart Homestays LLC 1341 Glen Iris Drive Apt 201 Fayetteville Agent: Niles A Rusnov

JAZZIES LLC 6009 Santa Fe Dr Fayetteville Agent: Derrick L. Douglas

TheLuxuryN LLC 1412 Hibiscus Rd Fayetteville Agent: Nyasia Lachelle Morrison

Bella Brands Consulta tions LLC 511 N. Reilly Rd Ste A77 Fayetteville Agent: Brittanni M. Wright

KING HAULING SERVICES LLC

5015 ONSLOWS ST Fayetteville Agent: LARRY KING

Ready For Whatever LLC 637 E Raynor Dr Fayetteville Agent: TaQuail Johnson

JD McClenney LLC 168 Rachel Road Fayetteville Agent: Julian Day McClenney New Day Financial Coun seling LLC 1433 Larkhall Dr Fayetteville Agent: Janice Rosales

Armstrong Contracting LLC 2214 Meadow Wood Road

Fayetteville Agent: Hunter L Armstrong

Club Just-in-Time (JIT)

Hourly Care LLC 5430 hickory knoll rd Fayetteville Agent: Ranisha Bradley

MaryLee Properties LLC 3011 Town Center Drive Ste 130 Unit #188 Fayetteville Agent: Valerie Hayes

F&R REMODELING & PAINTING LLC 614 Danforth Pl Fayetteville Agent: Carlos Eduardo Flores Ortiz

AK Lizek Foundation 1500 Tullamore Ln Fayetteville Agent: Andrew Lizek

The Burchie and Edmond Harley Center of Hope Refuge & Restoration (Overcomers 1 John 5:5) Inc. 6529 Saint Louis St Fayetteville Agent: David I Harley

Phillips Mechanical & Services LLC 334 Pincrest Dr Fayetteville Agent: Scott W Phillips

IYanna International LLC 4709 Republican Rd Apt C Fayetteville Agent: Laquan Everett

Metasouthtech LLP 409 Chicago Dr. Fayetteville Agent: Richard Lawson

DARK HORSE RENOVA

TIONS LLC 2014 HOPE MILLS RD Fayetteville Agent: ISAURO F RAMIREZ

RR Cleaning Crew LLC 6144 Ramsey Street Fayetteville Agent: Rhoda Roberts

LeSueur Stylez LLC 4456 BRITON CIR Fayetteville Agent: Pecolia Denise LeSueur

LibertyvilleLLC 7401 Hammersley Rd. Fayetteville

Agent: Luis Enrique Ortiz

MC Creations LLC 828 Bobby Jones Dr Fayetteville Agent: Brandy Marie Du rham

LINKAY HEALTH & ACCES SORY LLC 3821 Corapeake Drive Fayetteville Agent: Linda Chizi Murtala

Face and Physique Beau tique LLC 932 Inglewood Lane Fayetteville Agent: Maxine Keion Campbell-Andrews

Turner Estates L.L.C 147 Kensington Drive Spring Lake Agent: Candice Turner Hall

Three Ds Vizions of Hope LLC 1902 Ramsey St Fayetteville Agent: sonia patricia myers

NAILA NINE LLC 3501 Castlefield Lane Fayetteville Agent: Naphasorn Reyes

Mimesis Tactical Limited Liability Company 878 Duval Drive Fayetteville Agent: Sebastian Guzman

Maroon Logistics Group Inc 3400 Walsh Parkway Suite 333 Fayetteville Agent: Kirk Patrick Hylton

AHAVA TRANSPORT LLC 737 DALMORE DR Fayetteville Agent: RONNY BLANCO

Bold Key Realty LLC 6774 Surrey Road Fayetteville Agent: Robin Ann Nottage

Grupo Balanca Capoeira LLC 5510 Fountain Grove Circle Apt 177 Fayetteville Agent: Maynard Carter

Friendship Community Resource Center Inc. 316-H NC Hwy 210 N Spring Lake Agent: Marcus Kerr

Protecting The World 6765 Candlewood Dr

Fayetteville Agent: Roselande Dorce

Genesis Corporation 6008 Bartlett Ct Fayetteville Agent: Samantha Carter

Party's by Paul LLC 1803 Oak Tree Court Fayetteville Agent: Paul Smith Jr

Invictus Contruction and Lawn Care LLC 1111 Reflex St Fayetteville Agent: Tramell Finch

Mana Safe Asset LP 7136 Holmfield Rd. Fayetteville Agent: Eleanor Banzon

THURSTON FARMS LLC 350 WAGONER DRIVE Fayetteville Agent: CHARLES BLACK WELL

EMERG TRANSPORT LLC 5512 CRENCHAW DR Hope Mills Agent: LINDON DE'CASTA TAYLOR

Warrior Logistics LLC 612 Northampton Rd Fayetteville Agent: John Weatherly Fletcher

Christina James CPX Consulting LLC 905 Kensington Park Rd Fayetteville Agent: Christina D James

Taking A Positive Step LLC 5425 MURCHISON RD SUITE A Fayetteville Agent: BRENDA LEE JOSEPH

U'Neq Brows LLC 1517 Doncaster Drive Fayetteville Agent: Janequa Williams

Motz Freight LLC 615 Ashbrook Ct g Fayetteville Agent: Lloyd Motz

A3E Investments L.L.C. 6238 Esau Street Linden Agent: Andrew Ralph Dempster Jr.

Rowan Commercial Properties L.L.C. 5323 Yadkin Road Fayetteville

bizfayetteville.com

Agent: Rodrick Jermain Jackson

ZZ and Z LLC 514 Swan Island Ct Fayetteville Agent: Lilah A Love

Next Level Wellness L.L.C. 1818 Swann St Fayetteville Agent: Benjamin Clay Dunlap

Assistance Transport Auto Brokerage LLC 3626 Kenny Dr. Hope Mills Agent: Tylec R Williams

Lanika Creations LLC 5963 Spinner Road Hope Mills Agent: Lanika Chanel Jackson

KW Britt Transport LLC 1002 Riverside Cir Spring Lake Agent: Kevin William Britt

211 ME LLC 304 Brass Ct. Fayetteville Agent: Kimberly Love Rhone

HARNETT COUNTY

Radiant Sound Produc tions LLC 148 Lamplighter Way Spring Lake Agent: Regina Walker

OSUNA LLC 608A S MCKAY AVE Dunn Agent: Sonia Osuna Hoyle

Greater Culture LLC 430 Cokesbury Park Ln Fuquay Varina Agent: Brad Marshall

BL Custom Creations LLC 29 Sahara Cir

Sanford Agent: Brian Edward Lambert

Aguilar Boxing and Siding LLC 245 North Hickory Street Angier Agent: Wuilfido Rubelsi Bartolon Aguilar

Precision Performance Services LLC 32 Buckeye Pl Cameron Agent: Alissa C Stinson

The Lifestyle Buyer 4 Home LLC

716 Kentucky Derby Ln Lillington Agent: Alva J Anthony

RJT TRANSPORT LLC 13942 MCDOUGALD ROAD Sanford Agent: JACOB TERWIL LIGER

Mama Queen Creations LLC 90 Navaho Trl Sanford Agent: Robert K Buse

Burning Bush Counseling & Resources LLC 183 Blessed Lane Angier Agent: Kimberly Graham Dyson

Little Leaves Farm LLC 603 Old Farm Rd. Erwin Agent: Brett Michael Hudson

Wright Repairs LLC 301 E H St Erwin Agent: Brian A Wright

A TO Z TOBACCO & GIFTS INC 333 N RALEIGH ST SUITE E Angier Agent: ARAFAT ALSAIDI

Corral of Roxboro LLC 2585 Sheriff Johnson Road Lillington Agent: Dalton Stocks

Sorrell Realty LLC 1531 Mabry Road Angier Agent: Roberta Sorrell

Four Boars Beer Company LLC 1868 Benson Rd Angier Agent: Pamela Scott Pursel

RAMOS FAMILY LLC 177 WASHINGTON LN Cameron Agent: ULISES GONZALO RAMOS MARTINEZ

Revenue Medical Billing Services LLC 207 Gwendolyn Way Fuquay Varina Agent: Barbara Vaughn

Spirited Life Therapy PLLC 54 Providence Ct. Cameron

BIZ LEADS

Agent: Ana Karen Huerta Lopez

Road Warrior LLC 26 Clearwater Harbour Sanford Agent: Marcus Anthony Whiteside

Trojan Elite WC 106 W Wake St Dunn Agent: Tywana D Holley

TERRY TRUCK LLC 908 E DIVINE ST Dunn Agent: TERRY LYNN WILLI AMS

Juarez Landscaping LLC 308 W Old Rd Lillington Agent: Elmer Geovanny Juarez Perez

Cris Roofing LLC 318 S Broad St W Angier Agent: Cristian Hilario

All In One Bailbond LLC 140 cottage oaks way apt 103 Angier Agent: Rochelle Hearns

Mattlaw Properties LLC 1176 N Main St Lillington Agent: Karen Lawrence

Blue Southern Tile LLC 11061 Timothy Rd Dunn Agent: Gregory Blue

Steven M Cotton Services LLC 190 Donnibrook Run Fuquay Varina Agent: Steven M Cotton

3 Queens Popping 366 Highland Forest Dr Sanford Agent: Sharlene A Gilliard

Husky Buff Apparel LLC 40 Ancient Oak Ct Bunnlevel Agent: Nathan Edward Fair

RIP Cattle Company LLC 901 W. Pearsall St. Dunn Agent: Robert I. Pope

GC Roxboro LLC 2585 Sheriff Johnson Road Lillington Agent: Dalton Stocks

MSC Goods LLC

3412 Benson Rd Angier

Agent: Kelley Michael Anderson

HOKE COUNTY

Applied Workforce Solu tions LLC 159 Red Oak Ct Raeford Agent: Xavier DeBrough

M L Contracting Services LLC 372 woodberry circle Raeford Agent: Michael Joseph Lipari

Simply Hazel LLC 2594 Reservation RD Aberdeen Agent: Brian R Buss

Deliverance Connections Logistics LLC 8200 Fayetteville Rd Raeford Agent: Daniel Mceachern

Conaway Insurance Agency Inc. 104 Buckeye Dr Raeford Agent: Tyre Ward

Tiffany Ragston LLC 314 Buckeye Drive Raeford Agent: Tiffany Ragston

Elani's Gateway 2 Beauty & Hair Store LLC 261 Tipperary St Raeford

Agent: CURTIS MCNEILL

Centro de Avivamiento y Restauracion Familiar 440 Stevens St Raeford Agent: Edwin L Rodriguez

Dre Enterprises Inc 1105 South Parker Church Road Raeford Agent: Andre L Weston

Raining Zen LLC 1337 Saint Johns Loop Raeford Agent: Danielle N Pryor

J.Monet LLC 152 Caswell Pines Lane Raeford Agent: LaKeishia Monet Williams

Grooms Candle Co LLC 138 Metcalfe Lane Lumber Bridge Agent: Victoria Gabrielle Grooms

Airborne Innovation Lab

The82nd Airborne Division aims to foster technological progress, innovation and cre ativity on and off the field with their new Airborne Innovation Lab avail able on Fort Bragg. After celebrating a soft opening in August, the facility held their grand opening on Oct. 6. The facilities are now open between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and soldiers are invited to Building 3-2102 on Long Street, Fort Bragg to come in and make use of the workstations and meeting stations.

The Lab is the product of more than a year’s worth of effort and funding and is one of three Design, Innovation, Research, and Technol ogy (DIRT) labs funded by Army Research Labs. The new makerspace features robotics equipment, 3D printers, a woodshop, textile station, sewing station and computer lab and is open to service members on Fort Bragg.

“Our goal is to help soldiers do their job better, and to make things and prototype solutions to making their job easier. So, some of the things that we're working on right now are like training aids, things that they can take out into the field and test. We recently made some com bined arms rehearsal icons, friendly and enemy icons for them, so they can plan out maneuvers and things like that in rehearsals,” said Maker space Manager Erika Uzmann.

The goal of the space is to provide soldiers with the tools to help inno vate equipment and solutions they need to do their jobs. The lab features a several workspaces, meeting areas, and tools available to soldiers com pletely free.

“We have the woodshop, that's where we have our laser engraver, saw table, all of the hand tools necessary for like your basic craftsmanship work. Then we have our textiles sta tion, that's where we have our sew ing machines, our industrial sewing machine, our plotter, cutter, t-shirt, press, iron, all of that, and then that general area is actually called the Workshop, and in the Workshop it's kind of like subsections. The workshop entails both the electronic prototyping stations as well as the digital fabrication, and the digital fabrication is all those 3D printers

and all that good stuff. After you get out of the workshop and those two subcomponents, you get to the com puter lab and then go to the Design Thinking Collaborative space which, I know, doesn't really flow off the tongue,” said Lab Director 1Lt. Jenelle Sanders.

The AIL is available thanks to a program started through Army Research Labs known as the Catalyst Pathfinder program, a program dedicated to connecting soldiers to academic partners to be able to solve problems at the soldier level. Those soldiers are being encour aged to find their own solutions to common problems they face.

“No one knows soldier issues better than the soldiers that are experiencing them. And so typically, the army acquisition process takes like four to six years to be able to get equipment in the hands of the Warf ighter, and especially here at the 82nd,

the tactical timeline is a lot shorter than that,” said Sanders. “We want to be able to provide soldiers with the capability to prepare for the future battlefield today and adapt as our op tempo changes and as the mis sion set changes, to be able to make those on the ground changes to our equipment. And even though we're a physical makerspace, we also do design thinking workshops and stuff like that. We're not just modifying

our equipment, we're also modifying our system and processes down at the Lab. It's kind of serving as like the central location for updating, inno vating, and pushing forward the 82nd Airborne Division.”

The goal of the AIL moving forward is to continue to educate and prepare soldiers for the future chal lenges. Leaders at the AIL said they plan on expanding their offerings even more in 2023 by offering classes to improve skillsets on base including use of the 3D printer and other work shops to improve equipment use.

“Truthfully, we're just really excited about this entire thing,” said Division Innovation Chief Lt. Kyle Kirby.

“You know, the Airborne Innovation Lab is the physical manifestation of innovation, right? It is the hub where people can come not just create things, but frame problems, collabo rate, come work on things, and that provides an outlet for solving prob lems in ways we would never even have thought of.”

FORT

Our goal is to help soldiers do their job better, and to make things and prototype solutions to making their job easier.”

Erika Uzmann Makerspace Manager

“

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: @AIRBORNEINNOVATIONLAB

The Airborne innovation lab offers Fort Bragg soldiers the tools, space and resources they need to improve day to day problems they may come across in and out of the field.