MILITARY BUSINESS
By Brian Miner
Leading military business
NCMBC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT DORNEY REFLECTS ON TIME WITH THE INSTITUTION, HIS CAREER AND THE FUTURE OF MILITARY BUSINESS
Scott Dorney's journey from a dedicated soldier to a transformative business leader in North Carolina is a story of resilience, vision and a deep commitment to service. As the Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), Dorney has not only driven economic growth but has also created a bridge between defense and federal contracting and the business community, enhancing opportunities for countless individuals and companies in the state.
Dorney's career story begins with a strong foundation of discipline and service. Attending the Citadel in South Carolina instilled in him values of hard work and dedication. After graduating, Dorney was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Army. His military experiences exposed him to military operations, logistics and the critical needs of the defense sectors. This equipped him with unique insights and skills which have been invaluable in his civilian career, particularly in fostering relationships between the military and business communities.
“One of the best things about the military is how they develop their people. My primary position was a Field Artillery Officer, but my secondary specialty was as a Foreign Area Officer,” Dorney said. As an Assistant and Acting Defense Attache he gained experience in political, civil and military operations and learned the importance of civilian and military cooperation.
This provided the nexus for what would become not only his future career, but his passion. A parachute accident in 1997 left him with a shattered ankle, broken hip and a femur broken in seven locations which caused him to evaluate his future as an Army Officer.
“If I couldn’t lead from the front and set the right example for my soldiers physically, then I couldn’t be the kind of Army Officer I wanted and needed to be,” Dorney said.
Dorney took the helm of the NCMBC on Dec. 1, 2004 with a clear vision: to create a robust connection between North Carolina businesses and the federal
obviously passionate about.
Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC)
I don’t want us to just be good. We are a high performing organization and I want us to take the challenges we face and turn them into opportunities for North Carolina businesses I don’t want us to just be good.
We are a high performing organization and I want us to take the challenges we face and turn them into opportunities for North Carolina businesses.
and defense contractors, fostering economic growth and job creation.
Under his leadership, the NCMBC became a vital resource for businesses seeking to engage with military and defense opportunities.
One of the notable achievements of the NCMBC has been demystifying the often complex world of federal procurement.
Today the NCMBC has automated its search process, giving the most comprehensive and complete results to the NCMBC team, who then vet these opportunities to ensure they are legitimate and competitive and then work to provide these opportunities to businesses in North Caro-
lina with the necessary resources to support the contract. This hands-on approach is instrumental in enabling small and medium-sized businesses to compete for and secure military contracts.
Dorney can speak about the mission, accomplishments, challenges and importance of the NCMBC as easily as a proud parent talks about his children.
He is effusive in his praise for the political, military and business leaders who have initiated, supported and promoted the NCMBC over the years and the close ties with the North Carolina Community Colleges is something that he was
“Any success we have had is a direct function of the partnerships with the community, the state, the military and the community colleges of North Carolina. That integration drives success,” Dorney claims. Dorney is extremely proud of the relationship between the NCMBC and Fayetteville Technical Community College which houses their main office.
Looking ahead, Dorney shared that the NCMBC is focused on continuing to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of the military and defense sectors. This includes staying abreast of technological advancements, shifts in defense spending and changes in military strategy. By remaining proactive and responsive, the NCMBC aims to sustain its impact on North Carolina’s economy and maintain its position as a facilitator in military business development.
“I don’t want us to just be good. We are a high performing organization and I want us to take the challenges we face and turn them into opportunities for North Carolina businesses,” Dorney emphasized. “My goal is for North Carolina to be in the top 10 states for defense contracting. We have to work really hard to get there and that is what drives us every day.”
Through the efforts of Dorney, the NCMBC team and the partnership with the military and business community and community college system, the NCMBC has become a vital resource for businesses seeking to engage with federal and defense opportunities, contributing significantly to North Carolina's economic development.
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EDITOR'S NOTE
Seasons change
Ibelieve it was the ever poetic classic rock band All Star that said it best: The years start coming and they don’t stop coming.
I’ve recently found myself in a major transitional phase of life.
I was married last month to my best friend (you may remember him as the man next to me with a Christmas llama a few editor’s notes ago), my family recently relocated to Charlotte, NC and I find myself receiving a wave of love and support on LinkedIn to commemorate my two year anniversary as Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.
I find myself reminiscing over some of the amazing content I have been able to write during my time here. I am forever grateful to the
businesses in Cumberland and all of our surrounding counties that have allowed me to tell their stories. It has been a wonderful two years discovering these communities, being the first interview for many and for some businesses, being able to break the news on some of their big announcements and developments. While life continues to move forward, it’s always a bit cathartic to reflect on the changes that tend to take place during this time, including left behind friendships, partnerships, habits and seeing just how much you’ve grown. I am looking forward to continuing to serve the Fayetteville business community and beyond and I am so thankful for the many of you that
have allowed me to tell your stories. I hope you enjoy this issue which features a profile on North Carolina Military Business Center Executive Director Scott Dorney, the newly revamped first time homebuyer loan program now offered through the City of Fayetteville and the newest developments with Lumbee Guaranty Bank and their new Fayetteville location and more!
Happy reading!
>> By Eddie Velazquez
Bringing it all together
LUMBEE GUARANTY BANK IS WORKING TO COMBINE TWO FAYETTEVILLE LOCATIONS INTO ONE TO BETTER SERVE CUSTOMERS
Lumbee Guaranty Bank is set to open a new branch in Fayetteville on Monday, July 15, meeting customers where they are and becoming a more accessible bank.
Lumbee CEO Kyle R. Chavis said the bank, known for its long history of providing financial services to underserved populations, will be consolidating two other locations in Fayetteville and opening the new branch at 2939 Village Drive.
To open the new location, the bank will be consolidating the Hay Street branch, located at 229 Hay Street and the Hope Mills location located at 3500 N. Main St.
The Hope Mills location has been a long-standing location, first opening its doors in 1991.
“Lumbee Guaranty Bank truly is a community bank and we believe that matters,” Chavis said. “For more than half a century, we’ve been making customers our top priority. We’re not just your bankers, we’re also your friends and neighbors and we understand the needs and goals of customers in the communities we serve. We’ve grown from a single location to 13 branches serving Cumberland, Robeson, Hoke and surrounding counties; and we’ve kept pace with new developments and the latest technology in the banking industry. We work tirelessly to provide valuable, highly competitive financial products, while never losing sight of the excellent, personalized service that has helped us earn the trust and satisfaction of our customers.”
The Village Drive bank will offer full-service banking, including vital financial services such as:
• Personal and business checking, savings and convenience services
• Online, mobile and telephone banking
• Business loans
• Mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit
• Auto loans
• Personal loans
• Wealth management
Additionally, Chavis said that what sets Lumbee Guaranty Bank apart is its friendly and personalized
service, as well as local and accessible loan officers. Community based loan officers, he noted, allow for quicker, more flexible decision making.
The bank also offers “Lumbee Perks” personal checking accounts, which feature discounts, health savings, cell phone protection and services that aid with identity theft cases.
“We wanted a location that would be better accessible for our customers,” Chavis said. “Accessibility, parking and just the general location of Hope Mills and Hay Street made it difficult for our customers to access the bank.
So we thought that Village Drive would solve a lot of these issues.”
Some of those accessibility issues stem from circumstances outside the bank’s control.
it would be best for us to try to find a location that would solve some of these issues in terms of accessibility and convenience. Village Drive has ample parking in a well-traveled area, drive up ATM and multiple drive throughs. We are hoping that will be attractive to new and existing customers.”
Chavis said the bank will be relocating employees of both of the consolidating locations, leading to no job losses during the transition and the bank will continue to offer top-rate services to all.
For instance, the Hope Mills location had constant road construction, shrinking the ingress and egress points to the bank. The Hope Mills location will close down Aug. 2.
Similarly, the Hay Street location opened in February of 2020, very close to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. That branch will be closing down on July 12.
“That was just unfortunate timing for us,” Chavis noted. “But we’ve not been able to attract the foot traffic downtown that we had and basically projected without having a drive through there. We just felt like
“We will be absorbing those employees into the new location, but a couple of them will also be transferred to other branches
within our system,”said Chavis. “The bank is continuing to grow overall. Fayetteville is the fastest growing market that we have, both in loans and deposits.”
Since 2022, Chavis said the bank has grown its loan portfolio by nearly 20% and the deposit base by more than 6%.
“This is compared to overall loan growth across the bank of just over 10% and deposit growth bank wide of just under 5% during the same time period,” Chavis noted.
The bank’s history, Chavis shared, is partially laid on a foundation of providing financial services to underserved populations. When the bank opened in 1971, it was the first Native American-owned bank in the country.
“If you were a member of the Lumbee Tribe in Pembroke, you had to drive 10-15 miles east to Lumberton if you wanted any banking services before [the bank opened in 1971],” Chavis said. “The bank has grown substantially since then. We’re the only community bank headquartered in rural southeastern North Carolina.”
The bank primarily services Robeson, Hoke and Cumberland Counties.
Those services have since expanded and now Lumbee Guaranty Bank is focused on also helping small business owners.
“We have grown into a full service bank, and one of our taglines is a bank for everyone. We still hold to our mission of serving an underbanked population, which we consider rural southeastern North Carolina to be. We are one of about 40 banks that are still chartered in North Carolina and that’s down from over 100, just a few years ago. We think we’re pretty unique. We absolutely are committed to continuing to serve these communities,” concluded Chavis.
— Kyle R. Chavis, CEO, Lumbee
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS TOUR home
Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Fayetteville, NC
Lennox Haymount
Our Christmas Home Tour is in two of our neighborhoods, the first two weekends in December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
We are offering interest buydowns starting as low as 4.5% buydown for the 10 move-in ready models during this Christmas Parade of Homes Tour.
Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.
Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, When Where Scan for and directions.
You are invited to celebrate the season with the Floyd Christmas Open House. Come see the exquisitely, decorated homes and all of our latest features. Pick up your gift from under our tree and enjoy a glass of eggnog while sharing holiday food, fun, and cheer with us.
Main Phone: 910-978-8086 Main Email: DavidRayEvans@gmail.com
From HERO, page 1
services that produce certified homebuyers who qualify for fixed-rate, responsible lending mortgage loans. The program offers qualifying firsttime homebuyers up to three options in gap financing available towards the purchase of a new home.
THE HOMEBUYING HERO PROGRAM HAS THREE TIERS: Citizen HERO, Public Service HERO and City Employee HERO.
A Citizen HERO is considered a current or future City of Fayetteville resident and is eligible for up to $20,000 in gap financing
A Public Service HERO is considered an employee of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Cumberland County Schools or Cumberland County Government. They are eligible for up to $30,000 in gap financing
A City Employee HERO is considered a City of Fayetteville employee and is eligible for up to $30,000 in gap financing
The program starts with education. The City of Fayetteville has partnered with the Kingdom Community Development Corporation to host First Time Homebuyers Workshops. These workshops were designed to teach participants the essentials to buying your first home including budgeting for homeownership, shopping for a home, obtaining a mortgage, closing procedures and the responsibilities of maintaining the home after purchase.
The courses are offered at Fayetteville Technical Community College every fourth Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The course is led by counselors who are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) who connect with students (AKA HEROs) to walk with them
Workshops are designed for first-time homebuyers. Residents who participate have completed a pre-requisite for down payment assistance and may apply after selecting a lender, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and finding a home.
through their home buying journey.
“When you buy your first house, it’s a daunting task, and if you don't have parents or family members to guide you through that process, it can feel insurmountable without the right educational pieces in place,” said Director of Economic & Community Development Chris Cauley. “That class is the gateway into programs that the city offers.”
But the education doesn’t stop with a course. The counselors will continue to work with their HEROs
First-time homebuyers hoping to purchase their first home within the city limits of Fayetteville now have up to three options in gap financing available from the City towards the purchase of a new home.
classified as a single-family home (attached or detached) or a modular home. Manufactured or single or doublewide homes are not eligible for the program. The home must also be located within City limits to be eligible.
“A lot of people think that because the address says Fayetteville, that it’s within the City limits. Understanding the geographic nature of the city limits is important. And that’s something that we can verify if somebody’s got a question about it,” said Jeffrey Morin, housing manager with the City of Fayetteville.
While the program has expanded to include more potential qualifying participants, the financing is a loan through the City of Fayetteville with a goal to retain residents and employees by including a built-in affordability period depending on the borrower’s classification.
For a City Employee HERO, assistance will be given in the form of a 0% interest loan forgiven over a five-year affordability period. For a Citizen or a Public Service HERO, assistance is given in the form of a 0% interest loan forgiven over a five10-year affordability period.
to make sure they have the healthy finances necessary to maintain the home.
“Once they complete that workshop, they are given a certificate. The certificate is good for one year. Next is the one-on-one counseling that is tailor made just for that borrower or homebuying HERO and they talk about things that are on their credit report,” said Bernadine Simmons, a community development specialist with the City of Fayetteville. “The borrower will bring a copy of their credit report and they’ll look at where they might be having barriers to homeownership such as late payments, debt to income ratio being more than it should be, maybe they have things on their credit report that are errors. So the HUD Counselor works with that borrower to help eradicate those things. Because the credit report is a clue to your financial health.”
In order to qualify for funding, the person must meet the definition of a first-time home buyer as outlined by HUD: A person who has not had principal ownership of a property within a three-year period. The home for purchase must be
“It's prorated every year that you live in the home depending on how much you got. Let’s say it was the full $30,000 that would give you a 10-year affordability period, so every year, $3,000 would be forgiven off of that loan,” said Morin. “As you work down through that full 10 years, at the end of 10 years the loan is gone. You owe zero money to the City. It’s not accruing any interest during that time. We’re just tracking to make sure that it’s your primary residence. We check that annually. As long as that's happening, we’re marking it that you’re meeting the requirements and we’re forgiving that loan.”
“Our goal is to not deny a client if we can get them approved through our framework here and make sure every lender and the majority of the realtors know about it. All we can do is try to make sure that everybody knows about it, and when it is right for them, we’re here ready,” concluded Cauley.
The City of Fayetteville Economic and Community Development department is ready to aid the community with this program. More information on the program including income requirements, can be found online at www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/ economic-community-development/residents.
ACHIEVERS
Harnett Economic Development Corporation announces newly elected Board of Directors officers
On Thursday, June 20, the Harnett Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) Board of Directors held their Annual Meeting at the Harnett Regional Jetport.
The Board celebrated significant achievements and progress made in economic development and looked ahead to strategically plan for the coming year.
The Board also announced their newly-elected officers for 2024-2025:
Chair: JEFF WHITTINGTON, First Federal Bank NC
Vice Chair: JERRY MILTON, Southeastern Interiors
Secretary/Treasurer: PHYLLIS GODWIN, The Godwin Group
Special thanks went to outgoing Chair Phyllis Godwin for her unwavering leadership and dedication to the HEDC.
“Your contributions have greatly impacted Harnett County and our success and they will continue to do so. Our Team looks forward to the future with great optimism and enthusiasm as we work together to continue to drive economic growth and industrial development in Harnett County,” shared the HEDC in a social media post.
Methodist University presents Sullivan Awards to outstanding community members
Methodist University recently honored two community members for their exceptional service to the greater Fayetteville area.
During a Board of Trustees meeting at the Alumni Dining Room on campus, Methodist University presented the Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards to MARY HOLMES and JOHNNY WILSON ’99 – a recognition of their
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.”
noble character and outstanding commitment to service.
“Methodist University was privileged to have the opportunity to recognize two important and impactful community leaders with the prestigious Sullivan Awards,” said MU President Stanley T. Wearden in a press release. “Both of these recipients have been highly impactful figures in improving life for Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents.”
Holmes, a president and CEO of the Cumberland Community Foundation (CCF) for 27 years, is known as an excellent leader with a remarkable ability to organize. Under her leadership at CCF, endowment funds have grown from $4.68 million to $128 million – helping about 250 charitable organizations while also sending out $1 million in college scholarships on an annual basis. During Holmes’ tenure, CCF has awarded nearly $5 million in gifts to Methodist University.
Wilson serves as the president and CEO of Fayetteville Urban Ministry, a local non-profit that serves thousands of neighbors in need through adult literacy, emergency assistance, find-afriend mentoring and emergency home repairs for low-income homeowners. He also proudly served on Methodist University’s Booster Club and Founders Council. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Methodist University in 1999 and was a member of the 1996-97 men’s basketball team.
Jairus Brown ’24 as this year’s Sullivan Award recipients. During Methodist University’s Commencement Weekend in May, Brown received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award – a similar distinction reserved for graduating students.
The Sullivan Awards are a national honor authorized to be presented by only about 70 colleges and universities across the country, paying tribute to the work of Algernon Sydney Sullivan and Mary Mildred Sullivan, who both dedicated their lives to serving those in need.
Dr. Elisabeth Potts named HCAP director at UNC Pembroke
DR. ELISABETH POTTS has been named senior coordinator of the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program at UNC Pembroke.
The NC-HCAP program provides specialized academic advising and assists students with various early assurance pathways and opportunities.
Dr. Potts is joining the campus community at a pivotal point in the university’s push toward expanding its health sciences programs. UNCP recently launched a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and will roll out a new Master of Science in Occupational Therapy this fall. Last month, UNCP announced plans to establish a Doctor of Optometry program as well as a Master of Healthcare Administration program. University leaders will soon begin seeking UNC System approval to expand its academic
offerings to include nutrition and dietetics.
Dr. Potts holds degrees in chemistry and biology, with a minor in mathematics, from Troy University. Dr. Potts earned her medical doctorate from the University of South Alabama's Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine.
Her early professional journey began as a radiographer and sonographer before commissioning into the United States Army, where Dr. Potts received the Armed Forces Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for her military service. While at Fort Liberty, Dr. Potts completed her family medical residency and served as the Medical Education Training Campus Coordinator at the Womack Army Medical Center.
Through UNC Pembroke's NCHCAP work, students are fully supported across the graduate and professional school application process, including medical, dental, veterinary, physician's assistant, pharmacy study and more. Students from NC-HCAP have successfully entered programs across the region.
“I am excited to begin as a health careers advisor at UNCP, where I will be part of a team that helps cultivate a diverse healthcare workforce dedicated to serving others,” noted Dr. Potts in a press release. “One of the most fulfilling aspects of my life is the opportunity to give back through volunteer work. Most of my volunteering has been within my local community; however, in 2019, I had the privilege of participating in a medical mission trip to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, an experience that deeply resonated with me. I eagerly anticipate an upcoming trip to the Dominican Republic in October 2024.”
CCS Principals complete Distinguished Leadership Program
Four distinguished principals from Cumberland County Schools (CCS) have recently completed the Distinguished Leadership in Practice Program (DLP). This year-long leadership development program, designed by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals' Association (NCPAPA) and sponsored by the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development (NCASLD), brings together practicing school principals from all regions of the state.
From ACHIEVERS, page 8
The following principals from CCS have successfully completed the program:
HANNAH GRAY, Principal of E.E. Miller Elementary
PHYLLIS JACKSON, Principal of South View High School
DR. JUELLE MCDONALD, Principal of Pine Forest High School
TIANNA O'BRIEN, Principal of J. W. Coon Elementary
The DLP utilizes a non-traditional professional development model that aligns with the performance evaluation standards adopted by the State Board of Education for North Carolina’s school leaders. This cohort-based program is designed to limit principals’ time away from their schools by scheduling face-to-face sessions once every other month, complemented by online assignments, ma-
terials and coaching between sessions. Throughout the year-long experience, principals engage in a series of authentic activities aimed at building the capacity of their schools and enhancing their own leadership skills as “Distinguished” school leaders.
CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. acknowledged the achievements of these principals, stating in a press release, "We are thankful for their leadership and commitment to continuous improvement, which ultimately enhances student success and supports them as they lead their schools."
The North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Associa-
We’re
ACHIEVERS
tion (NCPAPA), established in 1976, is the leading organization and state voice for principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders.
Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation celebrates June graduates
The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation is celebrating graduates from multiple programs from the month of June. In their June newsletter, the Foundation shared the news of graduating residents and fellows.
The newsletter began by highlighting five nurses who were awarded scholarships during Nurses Week. Scholarships were granted from the Foundation, Nursing Congress
and CATO to support the academic advancements of Cape Fear Valley team members who are pursuing a career or advancing their career in nursing.
On Thursday, June 14, the auditorium of the Center for Medical Education & Neuroscience Institute was filled with joy as attendees bid congratulations to the 2024 graduate class of residents and fellows in the Cape Fear Valley Graduate Medical Program. This year's class included resident graduates in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/ GYN, Transitional Year, Psychiatry and General Surgery and Podiatric Medicine & Surgery. Many graduates have chosen to stay in the community and establish their careers with Cape Fear Valley Health!
Fantasy comes to life
FAYETTEVILLE BASED TRAVEL AGENCY FLIGHTS & FABLES BRINGS DREAM VACATIONS TO LIFE WITH CURATED FANTASY DESTINATIONS AND TOURS
Between the stunning peaks of New Zealand and as far as the castles of Europe, Flights & Fables puts a literal spin on the phrase ‘dream vacation.’ This unique full-service travel agency fuses passion and expertise to provide clients with a vacation that far exceeds the ordinary. Founded in Fayetteville by Rocky Dimico in 2023, Flights & Fables goes the distance in the services they provide, all to ensure their clients an unforgettable adventure.
The residual magic in the landscapes across the world has a way of sparking creativity in everyone. Just like JRR Tolkien took inspiration from his travels in Switzerland’s Lauterbrunnen Valley, the idea of Flights & Fables also took place far from home for owner and travel advisor, Rocky Dimico.
“It really all started when I went to New Zealand,” said Dimico. “I’ve been all over the world. It's the 59th country I’ve been to and when I was there, I was like: ‘I need to show other people these other places that I’ve gone.’ Because I’ve spent my whole life advising friends and family about travel, how can I do this to help others travel? As I got back from New Zealand, I started researching what kinds of jobs are in the travel world and when I went down that rabbit-hole, I found a number of resources. When I was going through those resources they said I needed to find a niche, so I went through all the trips I’ve been on.”
From day trips to an epic saga of month-long vacations, Flights & Fables does the hard work of planning so clients can enjoy their downtime worry-free. Rocky Dimico is a New Zealand Gold Certified Specialist and has a masters in business. An all-encompassing motif of freedom and whimsy, powered by the dependable hard skills of organization and good business sense made Flights & Fables into the business it is today.
“I went to the Harry Potter studio tours a couple times in London, Stonehenge, all these castles and of course Lord of the Rings and I was like that’s my niche, these are my people,” said Dimico. “These are the types of ways I go traveling, and these are the kind of trips I want to take people on, and show them a
L to R: “The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour” is one of several film and fantasy tour options for mega fans; Fans of The Hobbit film series can see real life hobbit holes on the “The Hobbiton (tm) Movie Set Tour, in Matamata, New Zealand. Bottom: Outside of fantasy movies, see dreamy fantasy destinations such as the Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany.
fantasy-style travel.”
Flights & Fables artfully applies the magic of storytelling to your vacation.
“I am just that person who is that kind of nerd. I love all the fantasy books, I love all the classics, I’m a huge reader. I love when things are made into movies and we can visualize them and we can travel to those locations,” said Dimico. “That’s why I tell our clients our slogan: ‘turning imaginations into dream vacations.’”
“
I love when things are made into movies and we can visualize them and we can travel to those locations,” said Dimico. “That’s why I tell our clients our slogan: ‘turning imaginations into dream vacations.”
—
While the travel agency books vacations everywhere, their specialty is book-themed trips. Flights & Fables offer a free 45-minute consultation to start their clients off on the right foot. Flights & Fables works hard to curate a distinctive experience for every client. To encapsulate the individual’s vision for their trip, no detail is too trivial.
Rocky Dimico Founder, Flights & Fables
“For me, I don’t have that artistic bone in my body but when I’m crafting an itinerary for a customer, after you get to know them and getting to know what they want, and you’re thinking in your head I’m gonna give them this hotel, I’m gonna book for them this excursion, I’m gonna give them this, it’s almost like you’re painting,” said Dimico. “Because you’re painting this itinerary, this trip for them, and that’s the only time in my life I’ve ever felt like a true artist, but in a different way with travel. I feel like I’m painting a picture for them that’s gonna give them one of the most amazing and memorable experiences.” These experiences include but are not limited to a full Lord of the Rings tour over New Zealand where you can see the gorgeous vistas where they shot different scenes from the
films, Harry Potter themed vacations across London and a journey across Romania to see the inspiration for Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Flights & Fables is committed to giving their clients the best vacation ever.
“I am constantly learning new things and by that I mean better ways to do things, better types of trips, better ways to save a client money, better ways to book them a vacation. I am always trying to learn and evolve to better serve my customers,” said Dimico.
Flights & Fables is a one-of-a-kind trustworthy travel agency that brings the magic of the classics into your everyday life. Additionally, you have the comfort of knowing it is a small local business with real passion and real skill supporting you and your future vacation.
“We want to be ‘that person’ for our clients, we want to build that relationship where they keep coming back to book their vacations for them regardless of where it is,” said Dimico.
BIZ LEADS
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
Personameant Solutions Business Resource Center
100 Hay St Ste 706
Fayetteville Agent:
Personameant Solutions LLC
AdReplica
L.L.C.
100 Hay Street Suite 704 #1101
Fayetteville Agent: Julian Smith
Digital D.E.N.G.S. LLC.
441 Lewis Clark Dr.
Hope Mills Agent: Du'Ryan Augustus Ebbesen
1821 McArthur LLC
115 Parkview Ave
Fayetteville Agent: Terry Bill
Deep Energy Inc.
4317 Ramsey St
Fayetteville Agent: Davis W Puryear
Palacios ShoUnited Center 429 Person St. Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC
Dr A Family Eyecare Optometry PA
CeCe's Creations LLC 5841 Woodhaven Circle
Fayetteville Agent: Colette Edwards
Pinnacle Consulting Group Corporation 3401 Stoneclave Place
Fayetteville Agent: Adrienne Fredrick R & B Janitorial Maintenance LLC 1779 Hampton Oaks Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Ronia Sinclair
BLUE RIDGE INITIATIVE LLC 3216 Dove Hunter Circle
Fayetteville Agent: Eduardo Mora
T. Howard LLC 3322 Starboard Way Apt 101
Fayetteville Agent: Tanicha Howard catrachoss construction llc 4621 BRAGG BLVD
Fayetteville Agent: Merlon
Jackson Carla the Nurturing Doula LLC 3904 Fox Meadow LN Hope Mills Agent: Carla West
KAYKAT GLOBAL RESOURCES LLC
4275 Goldsboro Rd Wade Agent: Hakkam Alsaidi
Waggin™ Wheels Grooming LLC 3306 Memorial Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Jonathan M. Pride Sr
Best Food Mart LLC 2 130 Person Street
Fayetteville Agent: Victoria Lemrabott
The Mind FCK Co. 2512 Bethpage ln Unit 303 Fayetteville Agent: Omowonuola Alese
S. Rogers Property Investments LLC 8013 Kalmia Lane Hope Mills Agent: Stephen Patrick Rogers
46 Molly Mac LLC 4134 Final Approach Dr. Eastover Agent: Thomas
Spooners Creek Townes LLC
639 Executive Place Suite 400
Fayetteville Agent: J. Patrick Raynor
BSing LLC
453 Shawcroft Rd.
Fayetteville Agent: Johnathan Perry Holloway
J.C. Hamilton LLC
Agent: Norberto Lozada Otero
The Veterans Vocational Training Center 445 N. Reilly Rd
Moreno Property Rentals Corporation
2467 Caithness Dr
5346 WOODPECKER DRIVE Hope Mills Agent: KENNETH CHUKWU
Family Discreet LLC 1617 Cawdor Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Raleigh Lamont Federick
Streich Enterprises LLC
5749 Dobson Dr Fayetteville Agent: Carl Terrance Streich
Seven Star Management LLC
429 Person St. Suite 1-A
Fayetteville Agent: BossLady Corporate Services LLC
Emmitts Playhouse LLC
384 Bahama Loop
Fayetteville Agent: Jessica Ferrera
Amy™s World Art Studio LLC
7317 Beaver Dam Rd Stedman Agent: Amy Celeste Locklear
3700 Tampa Ave Fayetteville Agent: Lakisha White
ATLAS CAPITAL HOLDINGS 1 L.L.C.
4139 Bent Grass Dr Fayetteville Agent: Gunnar Meyering
BRWN & Company LLC
2001 Rottingham Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Dietrich Brown
LMP Service LLC
5034 Linton Hall
Fayetteville Agent: Attalia P Borden Sr
Four Js Power Washing Services LLC
6309 Lake Trail Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Juan Sabater
StreetwiseZed LLC
223 San Isodora Pl
Fayetteville Agent: Brian Christian Andrew Simpson
Latitude Roofing LLC
652 GOODYEAR DR
Spring Lake Agent: TRAVIS O HAWKINS
Zen Garden Spa LLC
2907 Raeford Road
Fayetteville Agent: Zhenyu Wang
OnlyNerds LLC
409 Chicago Dr. Suite 102
Fayetteville Agent: Richard Len Lawson
Vamos Pa'l Hot Dog LLC
5304 Brower TRAIL
Hope Mills Agent: Raphael Serrano Mercado
SoJaDe Publishing LLC 2129 Yellowbrick Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Sonya LaVonka Howell Barrow
NC Feral Cat Coalition 6300 Streeter Dr
Hope Mills
Agent: Miaja Marie Jurgel
Norby's Auto Repair LLC
7520 Southgate Rd
Fayetteville
Fayetteville Agent: Kristian Sorensen
Demon-Tyme Consortium LLC 1323 Hibiscus Road
Fayetteville Agent: Jamie Chambers
Fort Liberty iStroll LLC 519 vista rd
Fayetteville Agent: Lindsey Rae Acosta
REID & OVENS LLC
6003 WEATHERFORD RD
Fayetteville Agent: ASHLEY OVENS
Michele Pope Insurance Services LLC
150 Francam Drive Ste. 110 Fayetteville Agent: Michele Pope
Roots Organics LLC
550 Pearl Street
Fayetteville Agent: Cheyanne Lee Winebrenner
Pole Dancerz Fish'n Apparel LLC 6217 Tiree Dr
Fayetteville Agent: James Earl Shuler Sr
Fayetteville Agent: Anthony Paul Moreno
Premium Medical Billing Experts LLC
2924 Walden Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Yasir Izhar
AP Training Healthcare Healthcare Services LLC
446 Hallmark Road
Fayetteville Agent: Ana E Pichardo
Sisters In Support Through Adversities LLC 7499 Beverly Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Sandra A Tate
The Highwaymen Group 7429 Wilkins Dr Fayetteville Agent: Nicholas R. Smith
Duarte Investment Holdings LLC
4801 Duncastle Rd
Fayetteville Agent: David Duarte
Dreamy Delights by Ischa LLC
6816 Shawcross Lane
Fayetteville Agent: Ischa Murry
M&J Morgan LLC
404 Harrill St
Spring Lake Agent: Michael Morgan
Silky's Smooth Ice Cream Shop
L.L.C 5886 Waccamaw Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Zuleyka Green
Selah Massage and Bodywork LLC
3187 Bittersweet Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Jacqueline M Stephens
Crystalline Allure LLC
2625 Plum Ridge Road
Fayetteville Agent: Crystal Ann Watson
Flore™s Cleaning Service LLC
140 salmon drive
Fayetteville Agent: Mirna Flores
Royal Service Company LLC 4412 Bunker Bay LN Parkton Agent: Quincei Lovejoy
Highland & Melbourne LLC 2535 Cameron Woods Lane
Fayetteville Agent: Tiffany NR Drain
Prime Time Finds LLC
7168 Evanston Street
Fayetteville Agent: Darlene Budzinski Matos
Stronghold Holdings LLC
4134 Final Approach Dr Eastover Agent: Thomas Jackson
141 Asheland NC LLC
100 Hay Street Ste 503
Fayetteville Agent: Abundant Living Consulting Corporation LLC
C's Sweets & Treats LLC
6509 Jefferey Dr Apt B
Fayetteville Agent: Courtney Danielle Jones
Touched By Faith Ministries Inc 1860 Strickland Bridge Road
Fayetteville Agent: Anthony Pankey
Qualitee Resources LLC
1500 N. Main St Raeford Agent: Teresa Campbell
Cresfund Capital at Lakeshore I LLC.
324 Mason St.
Fayetteville Agent: Cresfund Management Group LLC.
Little Boss Creations LLC
6260 Pine Street
Fayetteville Agent: Charmaine Patricia Conliffe
Walker Alliance LLC
523 Albany St Fayetteville Agent: Aaron Vidal Walker II
Free To Be Counseling Services PLLC
4140 Ferncreek
Drive Building
300 Ste 314 Fayetteville Agent: Bionca Bright
New Life Restoration LLC
603 Forest Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Julie Ann Leggett
Rooted Plant Co LLC
1139 Butterwood Cir
Fayetteville Agent: Justine Romero
NML Rentals. LLC 3946 Nikita Dr Hope Mills Agent: Marlon A Phills
Countryside Salon LLC 312 N Racepath Street
Fayetteville Agent: Bobbie J Wirt
Centurion Creatives L.L.C. 6100 Holyrood Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Robert Charles Meyersohn
Come As You R Inc.
224 Waterdown Dr Apt 1
Fayetteville Agent: William Allen Whitcraft
Olympus Realty Group LLC 608 W Summerchase Dr
Fayetteville Agent: shyam patel
Fayetteville Pool & Spa LLC 5219 Woodpecker Drive
Hope Mills Agent: Chrysta Feely
NC Vets OZ LLC
334 Glen Canyon Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Nathan Gary Echols
71 Investments LLC 592 Pinetree Ln Spring Lake Agent: Larry Dobbins
Fishtechno54 LLC 2123 Lothbury Dr
Fayetteville Agent: Michael Scott Albertson
Double D's Party Bonanza LLC 129 Homeplace Ct
Fayetteville Agent: Rae Delano Roberts
Southern Range LLC
500 Irwin Drive
Fort Liberty Agent: Christina Alexandria Jackson
Blasin Halal Food Inc
500 Blount St
Fayetteville Agent: Fuad Alsaidi
Ms Ts A Home Away From Home LLC
4031 William Bill Luther Dr. Apt. 19
Hope Mills Agent: Teresa Stringe Jenkins
Lady & The Amp LLC
515 Carteret Place
Fayetteville Agent: Devoshia Mason Martin
RGray Logistics LLC 514 Platinum St
Fayetteville Agent: Robert Alfonso Gray Jr
Banner Holdings LLC. 4239 Cameron Rd.
Fayetteville Agent: Carol Michelle Duke
Clay Wade Plumbing LLC 1650 Holloman Dr
Fayetteville
Agent: Jerry Clayton Wade Jr
White Oak
Homes NC LLC
319 Fairfield Road
Fayetteville Agent: Rodney Baker
Eli Frangos Properties LLC 724 Shopton Court
Fayetteville Agent: Soterios Elias Frangos
Team 1 Tactics & Security Solutions L.L.C.
1865 John B Carter Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Ross Martin
MoneyJunkie1k LLC
5962 Chambrian Drive
Fayetteville Agent: Ricardo Montaz II
KATRINA ROBINSON LLC 102 Twin Acres Dr
Fayetteville Agent: KATRINA SHONTE ROBINSON
Children's Counseling Center PLLC 5187 LAKEWOOD DRIVE
Fayetteville Agent: WAREES M WAREES
HJS Enterprises Inc.
2018 Fort Bragg Rd. Ste 102
Fayetteville Agent: L D Jones Jr.
WENDY NGUYEN LLC
2423 ROBESON ST.
Fayetteville Agent: UYEN NGUYEN
Estate Recovery Solutions LLC 3605 Standard Dr.
Fayetteville Agent: Winsome
Jacqueline McFarlane
RENT A PARTY 26 LLC
3450 DORADO CIR APT 206
Fayetteville Agent: TROY ROBINSON
Silver Creek Solar & Home LLC
6725 Winthrop Dr.
Fayetteville Agent: Kegan
Zacchaeus Johnson
Miraost llc 2609 Hope Mills Rd
Fayetteville Agent: Mira Ostapiej
Big Dawg Pet Supply LLC
305 English Oaks Dr Unit 13
Fayetteville Agent: Cameron Jakeem Rodgers
Aloha Rentals HOA LLC
3212 Lillian Place
Fayetteville Agent: Juanita
Yarnell Richard
KSI LLC
806b Ramsey St
Fayetteville Agent: Willie Cooper Jr
43VA TNT L.L.C.
5491 Bush Ct
Hope Mills Agent: Dwayne Victor Matthews
W&W AUTO REPAIR SERVICE INC.
8569 CLINTON RD Stedman Agent: BOUBACAR KONATE
Central Landing LLC
439 Westwood Shopping center
Fayetteville Agent: Malachi Conyers
True Blitz Cleaning LLC
439 Westwood Shopping Center
PMB 321
Fayetteville Agent: Tarus Stephon Martemus-Jackson
PROPERTY PIX LLC
2503 Southern Ave Unit 6421
Fayetteville Agent: Jasmine Walker
Flame of Fire Outreach Ministries
610 Cedar Creek Rd Suite 110
Fayetteville Agent: James Mclean
Left photo: Proposed Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) locations for Cumberland County. These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,692 locations (74% of the county’s 2,286 eligible locations); Right photo: Proposed Brightspeed locations for Harnett County. This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,539 locations (32% of the county’s 4,878 eligible locations).
Completing access to broadband
HARNETT AND CUMBERLAND COUNTIES TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EXPAND INTERNET ACCESS THROUGH NCDIT BROADBAND PROGRAM
The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity announced earlier this week that an additional $112 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 25,903 households and businesses in 19 counties (including Harnett County and Cumberland County) to highspeed internet.
“We are excited so many counties and internet service providers have partnered with us on the CAB program,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny in a press release. “These awarded projects will help us make significant progress on closing the state’s digital divide.”
The CAB program’s procurement process creates a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas that need access, solicit proposals from prequalified internet service providers and quickly make awards. Awardees must agree to provide high-speed service that reliably meets or exceeds speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload.
The NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity announced an extra $112 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 25,903 households and businesses in 19 counties to high-speed internet.
CAB funding will support highspeed internet in unserved and underserved locations in Harnett and Cumberland County. The broadband provider selected to complete the CAB project in Harnett County is Connect Holding II, LLC (dba Brightspeed). The two providers selected for Cumberland
County are Connect Holding II, LLC (dba Brightspeed) and StarVision, Inc. These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 1,539 locations throughout Harnett County and 1,692 locations throughout Cumberland County.
“Broadband is crucial in our digital era, because it enables seamless communication and facilitates access to information, education and services for all,” said Ira Hall, Harnett County Chief Information Officer, in a press release. “Harnett County continues to collaborate with NCDIT and local service providers to increase broadband access to our unserved areas. The NCDIT Completing Access to Broadband Program is the next step toward greater accessibility of broadband in our county.”
In Cumberland County, projects will have a total project cost of approximately $6.9 million and provide high-speed internet access to approximately 74% of the county’s 2,286 locations that were eligible under the program. Based on their proposals, Connect Holding will provide access
to 1,398 locations at a total project cost of $5,769,671; and StarVision will provide access to 294 locations at a total cost of $1,133,110. Under the current CAB program, Cumberland County will provide approximately $2,416,000 in matching funds from the county’s federal ARPA award.
“Access to reliable broadband is crucial for our residents as they navigate today’s digital society. Cumberland County is pleased that through the Completing Access to Broadband program, we can partner with the state and service providers to reach 74% of locations in our county that are considered unserved. This is a tremendous step forward,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams in a press release.
The projects will be funded by more than $61 million from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded to the State, more than $25 million from counties and nearly $26 million from selected broadband providers.
A guide to fun
LILLINGTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES NEW LILLINGTON COMMUNITY GUIDE
The Lillington Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC) is proud to announce the rollout of a new community resource: the Lillington Community Guide.
Featuring 29 pages of information; the Guide highlights local businesses, economic information, community history, art & culture, healthcare and education all focused on the Lillington area and Harnett County as a whole.
The Guide began as a passion project for the LACC and their Executive Director Robin Moody who, after coming to the area, was looking for a solid source to find out what was available in her new hometown.
“I’ve been here two years and I realized there was nothing that presented all that Lillington had to offer. And as a newcomer into the area, I saw a need for a communi-
Because there is so much growth that's happening here, we want to show the newcomers why it’s a great place to live. There’s a lot of potential and a lot that’s already in the works.”
— Robin Moody, Executive Director, LACC
ty guide to help all the newcomers know why Lillington is such an amazing place to live, work and play,” shared Moody. “By having it all encompassed in one guide, it makes it easy because there's a phone number for anything that you need when it comes to paying your water bill, to the Town of Lillington, Harnett County and places to go hiking, the parks, shopping, it encompasses everything.”
The Guide includes economic highlights for Lillington and Harnett County, with listing such as “Lillington at a Glance” on page three
and current economic developments listed on page 23 and more. Moody shared that the goal was to showcase the current economic growth taking place in the area.
“Because there is so much growth that’s happening here, we want to show the newcomers why it’s a great place to live. There’s a lot of potential and a lot that’s already in the works,” shared Moody.
The Chamber partnered with 365 Degree Total Marketing to bring the Guide to life both in person and virtually.
Physical copies will be available in person in the LACC office located at 1 W Harnett St. in Lillington.
“Lillington is the heart of Harnett and we feature so much, we’re like the best kept secret. There’s so much here that people just never knew about it, and now this book brings it together,” concluded Moody.
The community is encouraged to view, share and enjoy the Community Guide online at www.365publicationsonline. com/LillingtonNCG2024
Seeing growth LONGLEAF PINE REALTORS REPORTS STEADY GROWTH IN LOCAL HOUSING MARKET
Longleaf Pine REALTORS has released its latest market analysis, revealing a 3.0% year-over-year increase in the median sales price for all properties, highlighting steady growth in the local housing market despite broader national trends.
The analysis shows that the median sales price for single-family existing homes has risen by 4.7%, reaching $268,500. This increase suggests robust local demand, even as the number of closed listings year-to-date stands at 2,376.
Nationally, the median existing-home price has reached a record high of $407,600, marking a 5.7% increase from last year. Inventory levels have also improved significantly, with a 9% increase monthover-month and a 16.3% rise year-
over-year, providing a 3.5-month supply at the current sales pace.
REAL ESTATE HIGHLIGHTS:
Local housing market demonstrates strong demand and price resilience
Median sales price for single-family existing homes rises by 4.7% to $268,500
National median existing-home price hits record high of $407,600, with inventory levels up 16.3% year-over-year
Longleaf Pine REALTORS remains optimistic about the local market, attributing the resilience in prices to strong demand and solid market fundamentals. This positive outlook demonstrates the local market’s ability to weather challenging circumstances and continue to grow.
Defense Contractors Potential Award Value
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