Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - July 14, 2023 Issue

LIVE, WORK, PLAY

Officials in Bladen County are waiting for confirmation of funding before starting multimillion- dollar development plan

By Stephanie Meador

DEaphne Sanitz, a Veteran entrepreneur, has made quite the name for herself through her work of “preserving what most throw away” here in Fayetteville. Sanitz has developed eight properties in downtown Fayetteville including the building at 108 Person St. which now hosts the popular restaurant CIRCA 1800.

lizabethtown, North Carolina is ready to begin more than $160 million of developments planned for the Elizabethtown Industrial Park.

Currently known as the Live, Work, Play project, which may be renamed later, this multi acreage concept includes plans for an enhanced lakefront with an amphitheater and event lawn, the expansion of Cape Fear Winery, a hotel, daycare center multiple medical facilities and offices and most importantly, housing.

Sanitz spoke with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal about her latest project, the Kress Lofts on Maxwell St.

The Live, Work, Play project addresses several parts of Bladen

Sanitz first began the steps to renovating the Kress building in 2017.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY: DARDEN JENKINS

An artist's rendering of the fully renovated Kress Lofts building. Daphne Sanitz has developed eight historic properties in Downtown Fayetteville.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

A full concept map of the Live, Work, Play project. Plans include a daycare facility, hotel, healthcare offices and providers and

On the up-and-up

RAPIDLY EVOLVING MEDICAL LANDSCAPE OFFERS STRONG HEALTH CARE HOPE

While rural areas often face the hazard of becoming medical care deserts, Bladen County is boosting their healthcare scene.

With healthcare businesses setting up shop throughout the town, area residents can expect to see a higher capacity for patient intakes and more healthcare expansion in the pipeline.

One of the companies that has invested in the county is Carolina QuickCare Family Practice and Urgent Care. The company opened five locations in the past fiscal quarter across North Carolina. Three of the locations fall within Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s coverage area. In Sampson County, a site opened in Clinton at 1106 Sunset Avenue; in Harnett County, a site opened in Lillington at 41 Bain Street; in Bladen County, a location opened in Elizabethtown at 1328 W Broad Street.

In neighboring Columbus County, a Whiteville location has been serving its clientele since April and the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony last month. The Chamber also had a ribbon-cutting celebration for the Elizabethtown location, which opened in March, in late June.

“We’re proud to be the fastest growing urgent care brand in North Carolina,” said Suzy Buck, vice president of marketing and operations for Carolina QuickCare, in a press release. “We look forward to providing families in Clinton, Elizabethtown, Lillington, Whiteville and Williamston convenient access to quality healthcare, seven days a week.”

The Carolina QuickCare locations offer services that can be found at a primary care provider; the difference is that they are intentionally designed to offer those services within an immediate time frame, even offering walk-in appointments, whereas for a primary care provider, a patient may have to schedule far in advance.

Services offered at the various locations include COVID testing and treatment; onsite labs and X-rays; wound care; $89 Department of Transportation physicals; allergies; burns; sprains and strains; upper respiratory and sinus infections; rashes; STD testing and treatment; headaches; stitches; tuberculosis testing;

occupational medicine; ear infections; cold, flu and RSV care; insect bites; and more.

The privately owned and operated company is based in North Carolina.

It is not affiliated with the former Carolina Quick Care clinics that were acquired and rebranded as FastMed clinics.

Carolina QuickCare accepts all major insurances and self-pay pricing. The company is also authorized by

the Veterans Administration.

In addition to the QuickCare facilities, Bladen County is ushering in a wave of healthcare professionals with plans to expand healthcare into the region even further.

Robeson Counties are considered to be rural.

Among the many challenges that rural healthcare facilities face are staffing issues, financial obstacles and too few resources to adequately serve people in need of specialists and the disproportionate amount of elderly patients they see.

Dane Rideout, town manager of Elizabethtown, recognizes the need to amp up rural healthcare and is excited for what is in store for the region.

Before becoming the town manager, Rideout was the city manager of a rural town that lost its hospital.

“Rural healthcare across the country is obviously at risk,” he said. “Coming into this job, we’ve got a very vibrant hospital with the [Cape Fear Valley Health System], but the additional health-related organizations are always powerful.”

With sizable employers in Bladen County and a developing industrial park, Rideout says that the introduction of more healthcare providers is a draw for more companies to put down roots in the area as well as a reason for new employees to feel good about joining the community.

Elizabethtown is the county seat and services a micropolitan area that is larger than Elizabethtown’s own population; Rideout estimates that Elizabethtown touches “close to 10,000 people” and said people come from other towns to get healthcare.

On the horizon, Rideout said that a Live, Work, Play campus is being designed to go in the area industrial park. The first tenant will be an expansion of the Cape Fear Valley Hospital – an urgent care. With additional flex space, Rideout hopes to see the area evolve into a medical campus, offering specialty providers. The same campus will include a dentist, an eye doctor, a speech therapist and a speech pathologist.

Eighty of North Carolina’s 100 counties are considered to be rural areas. Within GFBJ’s coverage area, Hoke, Harnett, Bladen, Sampson and

Rideout is excited and hopeful for the future of the healthcare expansion in Bladen County. “It’s good to have a market share that’s diverse that allows people to shop around,” he said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

The Elizabethtown location is one of five locations opened across the state in the past quarter.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

A QuickCare staff member gives a tour of the facility at the Ribbon Cutting event. The location will provide services such as COVID testing and treatment, onsite labs and X-rays and wound care.

We're proud to be the fastest growing urgent care brand in North Carolina.”

— Suzy Buck Caroliina QuickCare, vice president of marketing and operations

EDITOR'S NOTE

4424 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

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Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com

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Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com

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Back to relaxing!

IGNORE THOSE BACK TO SCHOOL LISTS, DISPLAYS AND SUPER SALES, SUMMER IS STILL IN PROGRESS!

We are now entering the second month of summer and I personally can’t believe where the time has gone!

That being said, there is absolutely nothing that sets me more on edge, than walking into any store and seeing the back to school supplies front and center.

Never mind the fact that I graduated from college in 2019 and haven’t thought about -nor used- the pythagorean theorem ever since, seeing a ruler in the wild makes me antsy.

While I am one of those people who will casually browse through the holiday decoration aisles as soon as they are available, we are barely halfway through July at the time of

ready to hunger games my way to the good folders.

But, I will leave the stress of back to school shopping to the parents and current students, although I may take advantage of the sales and get one of those jumbo packs of multicolored pens to get me through 2024.

As we continue pushing through the summer, our county by county coverage continues.

This issue focuses on all of the developments happening in Bladen County. We have the Live, Work, Play project that’s waiting for the official green light (cover story), a new healthcare option for the residents of Elizabethtown (page 3), the history and glimpse into the future

Director of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (page 13).

Elizabethtown received some attention a few months back with the addition of Sovereign Aerospace when they assumed duties as the Fixed Base Operator for Curtis L. Brown, Jr. Airport in April. It was nice to learn about other continued growth in the area.

Our next county focused issue will be Sampson County on Aug. 11 and we’ve already started learning about some of the goings on in that area!

We’re looking forward to bringing these stories to you, our dear readers.

ANNA DEMIANENKO/UNSPLASH

Ignore those posters with the smiling children boarding the bus and those commercials advertising back to school clothing, supplies and classroom necessities! It’s only July!

A slice of paradise

A REFINED RESORT FEATURING A WINERY, RESTAURANT, MINIATURE ZOO AND MORE NESTLED IN BLADEN COUNTY

Alex Munroe is the owner of Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, a 14 acre resort featuring a winery, distillery, museum, restaurant, tasting room, spa, event space and an art gallery located at 195 Vineyard Drive in Elizabethtown.

After keeping an eye on the unused property for a while, Munroe approached the head of economic development for Bladen County, Chuck Heustess, and ended up acquiring the property a day before its foreclosure.

Unsure of next steps for his new piece of land, Munroe asked Heustess what the community could benefit from: “He [Heustess] said Elizabethtown needed a great restaurant and more lodging, events facility and that type of thing. So that’s kind of what I started doing,” remarked Munroe.

Munroe shared that they actually won a national award for renovation of a rural property following their efforts to rehabilitate the original building on the land.

Munroe opened Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery in 2014 and the space has been growing ever since.

“I started off with the restaurant and three cottages and said, ‘Well, if it doesn’t work, at least I’ll have a place to bring my friends and hang out at a beautiful property,’ and so I built three [cottages] and I started working and people started coming and we started doing weddings and events and it caught on and now I’m up to 19 rooms with more on the way,” shared Munroe.

They have a team of about 55 people composed of both full time and part time employees. The venue boasts a number of attractions with activities and amenities that cater to all ages.

“It’s kind of become a little resort–a little boutique resort. We have a great day spa. We have a beautiful art gallery and gift shop …We’ve got 19 rooms now. [We] have the beautiful gazebo down on the lake that’ll hold about 250 people for weddings. And we have an award winning restaurant, the distillery, where we do day tours and tastings, and we’ve got an event center–a 4,000 square foot event center, indoor and outdoor dining and one of the largest celebrity art collections anywhere in the country…”

There is also a petting zoo where guests can pet and feed animals like

miniature horses, miniature donkeys, miniature llamas, peacocks, geese, ducks, rabbits and even a little wallaby named Gracie. A lot of people come from neighboring counties and cities for a fun getaway, whether that be a day trip or an overnight stay in one of the cottages.

In 2017, the business expanded to launch their distilled spirits. Munroe shared that they came out with a gin first because it was relatively easy to make and ended up submitting it to national competitions and winning several awards for it. Since then they’ve added to their supply and now offer rum, whiskey, bourbon and more.

Their Gamefish Vodka™ is the result of a partnership with international marine wildlife artist, Steve Goione who designed the label. In keeping with their maritime theme, the company also launched BillFish Tequila™. For this spirit they partnered with The Billfish Foundation to dedicate a percentage of their proceeds to the foundation which is the largest Billfish tag and release program in the world.

In addition to selling their spirits on site, customers can also purchase Cape Fear Winery’s drinks at most ABC Liquor stores across the state.

As Bladen County continues to

grow as a whole, Munroe shared some plans he has to continue expanding his business.

Munroe confirmed that they plan to build a second distillery that is even larger than their current one within the next two years. With working drawings for the facility already made, Munroe said that just a few final decisions remain before they can move forward with the action. They also hope to build about 15 more cottages with construction on the first of these beginning this coming fall.

The summer season is always busy for those in the hospitality industry.

Munroe shared about some of the events they’ve got coming up for guests to enjoy.

“We have some great concerts coming up. We have the Roots and Boots tour, featuring Sammy Kershaw and Aaron Tipton. They’re coming in on July 23. Then we have Uncle Kracker coming at the end of the summer,” shared Munroe.

In addition to these pop up events they’ve got weekly specials related to food and drinks that guests can enjoy.

Their offerings change almost weekly and guests can keep up with special events and offers on the company’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/ capefearwinery.

When he first started out, Munroe said he could not have predicted the growth and success his business would have.

“...People look back on it and sometimes, I look back on it and people say ‘When you started doing this, I thought–we thought you were crazy.’ But nobody told me at the time of course…But as I look back on it now I say ‘It was kind of crazy,’ but it’s been working so I’m blessed in that regard. Had a lot of local support and business support, that type of thing.

So it’s meant a lot,” remarked Munroe.

The company’s website www. capefearwinery.com includes more information about amenities provided at the resort as well as further details about the company’s history and how to book a visit to this Bladen County gem.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAPE FEAR VINEYARD & WINERY

The property is about 14 acres in total and is a popular venue for weddings, family reunions and weekend getaways.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAPE FEAR VINEYARD & WINERY Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery launched their first distilled spirits in 2017.

From BLADEN, page 1

County’s 10-year Strategic Plan which will be used to tackle area development by highlighting the needs and strategic priorities of the County.

“Within that plan, the number one issue basically was housing, and the reason why is we’re trending to be losing population just like the other rural counties here,” shared Chuck Heustess, executive direc tor of Bladen County Economic Development. “We’re talking about potentially several hundred units of residential in a mixed development.”

According to Heustess, the Live, Work, Play project copies layouts seen in more urban areas combining Elizabethtown’s green space with a work component, affordable housing for the future workforce and commercial businesses that have outgrown what downtown Elizabethtown can offer.

Elizabethtown Town Manager Dane Rideout shared that one goal of the project is to provide strong and steady economic development and growth while being able to maintain the small-town feel and still provide residents access to larger cities such as Fayetteville and Wilmington. While housing remains a weak point in the area, additional housing developments are in the works to help meet the need. The Live, Work, Play project includes a special effort to target Veterans who are looking to leave more popu lated areas.

“What’s really unique to the Live, Work, Play concept we’ve got out there is a portion of it is going to be for wounded warriors. So, those that have mobility issues are who we’re really targeting,” said Rideout. “We’re very close to Camp Lejeune, New River, Cherry Point, Robins, Fort Liberty, we think this is a very military friendly area. We’ve got the jobs, a place for them to live, we want to make sure we’ve got the amenities that support those members that served our country that have disabilities. So that’s a neat concept to that piece.”

Bringing the military community into the area is “a very intentional part of our growth wants” according to Heustess. With the addition of Sovereign Aerospace, which recently partnered with and assumed duties as the fixed base operator of

the Curtis L. Brown Jr. Airport in April, additional interest from the aerospace industry in the area has increased, along with interest in bringing manufacturing and other industries into the area within the Live, Work, Play project space.

“One cool project that we’re already starting out there is, the hospital is doing a new primary care, urgent care, medical specialist office. Cape Fear Valley Health is [also] doing a new medical school and they’re going to be doing a lot of their rural residency through this facility, so there’s going to be a really cool medical facility there,” said

Heustess. “Since you have all your infrastructure and jobs and everything there, we think that it’s going to create thousands of jobs over the next decade or two.”

While city and county officials have their shovels to the dirt ready to begin construction, one of the major hold ups on the project is funding. Leaders have gone to the federal and state officials to request funding for the more than $160 million investment; however, they are still waiting on the final budget from the state of North Carolina before they can get started.

“I think they had hoped to have the budget passed by now, but it sounds like to me that they’re probably going to have at least another

month. When you’re in a rural, distressed county like Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, you can plan all you want to but a lot of it’s dependent on what kind of grant assistance you can get to help be the impetus to getting the bigger projects going,” said Heustess.

Both Rideout and Heustess confirmed that in the event funding doesn’t come through as hoped, there are plans in place for the project to move forward, being financed and completed in phases.

“We literally are within 60 days of the green light going on two and a half years of work that’s about to happen. The Master Plan is within weeks of being finished, so it’s not just a concept we literally have the master plan down to we know what the roads look like,” said Rideout. “We all know what the desired end state looks like. We’ve also communicated that same vision to our state and federal elected officials and they understand the concept of what our needs are. It’s not an unattainable vision. It’s a very calculated, laid out process in how we’re going to get there and what we’re going to create at the end.”

The Town hopes to be approved for an EDA grant worth $1.2 million needed to begin the first section of road, water and sewer infrastructure by late summer or early fall. That infrastructure will allow construction on the first few businesses outlined in the plan to start. The full project is expected to be worked on in phases and be in development over the next 10 years.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Plans for a waterfront housing development. The current concepts were created by SfL+a Architects. The Elizabethtown Industrial Park will be the home of the completed Live, Work, Play project.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

The finished Live, Work, Play project will be a walkable community with easy access to amenities.

ACHIEVERS

Brown graduates from aspiring superintendents program

ANN BROWN, Chief Officer of Operations and Administrative Services for Bladen County Schools, was among 37 leaders from across the state to graduate from the seventh cohort of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) Aspiring Superintendents Program.

“The program is designed to support the growth, expansion and enhancement of school and district leaders in the leadership positions they currently occupy while providing high-quality professional development to increase their knowledge base about the skills and dispositions needed by future superintendents,” said Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association, in a press release.

The North Carolina Aspiring Superintendents’ Program is a customized leadership development program targeting selected district leaders who have demonstrated outstanding success in their administrative roles and who aspire to the superintendency in North Carolina. The program aims to prepare future superintendents by enhancing their technical skills, including skills for “surviving” in the superintendency, along with contemporary personal leadership and development skills. In addition to multiple face-to-face leadership development sessions, an Executive Coaching component is embedded in the program.

“Ms. Brown developed a strong network of school and district leaders to consult with and she contributed to the discussions on emerging issues and innovative practices occurring within Bladen County Schools,” Hoke added in a press release.

When asked about her experience, Brown shared she was grateful for the opportunity. “Jack [Hoke] and the sessions he facilitated provided an immeasurable wealth of knowledge that will not only be essential as I advance in my career but will allow me to be more effective in my current capacity and better serve Bladen County Schools. The opportunity to engage in lively discussions with my cohort and superintendents from around the state provided an in-depth look at the issues superintendents and school districts are

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.”

currently facing and response options,” Brown elaborated in a press release. “Completing the program as a cohort allowed me to foster a network of colleagues I know I can reach out to at any time.”

Sampson County announces new Public Works Director

Sampson County has a new addition to its staff after it was announced in early June that MARK TURLINGTON had come on board as the County’s new Public Works Director.

“We are pleased to announce our new Public Works Director, Mark Turlington, who brings a wealth of experience and a passion for serving the communities. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the field of public works, County’s new Public Works director is well-prepared to lead the department and tackle the challenges that lie ahead,” said the County in a press release.

According to the release, Mr. Turlington dedicated 30 years of service before retiring from the NC Department of Transportation and joining Sampson County Public Works in 2013. He also served as the Assistant Public Works Director for five years prior to becoming the Public Works Director.

“As Mr. Turlington steps into his new role, he has identified key priorities that will guide the efforts of his department - provision of clean, safe drinking water to Sampson County residents. Mr. Turlington is determined to address pressing

challenges and alleviate any concerns regarding the water infrastructure,” shared the County in a press release. “In his words, ‘We always look for new ways of doing things within the industry environment to make our jobs more productive and efficient.’Seeking appropriate software and embracing innovation and technological advancement, Mr. Turlington aims to improve overall effectiveness, sustainability and quality for the Public Works Department. Sampson County is excited to welcome Mr. Turlington as our new Public Works Director.”

Longtime Fayetteville

tion to promote good relations between the Army and the public and advise the secretary about regional issues, officials said.

Dederick replaces Fayetteville resident Tommy Bolton.

“CASAs are a valuable asset in the community and help make a difference by moving the recruiting needle,’’ McCarthy said recently during a ceremony at the Pentagon where he welcomed Dederick to the program.

“Our CASAs offer fresh eyes and bring new perspective to how we recruit future soldiers,” McCarthy said.

Officials said Dederick is involved in supporting and planning significant Fort Bragg [Liberty] projects, including the 9/11 Memorial, 82nd Airborne Division Memorial, U.S. Army Special Operations Command Memorial Wall and Operation Celebrate Children — Disney on Ice, an event for the benefit of children of deployed soldiers.

He also contributes regularly to scholarship programs for Gold Star children whose parents were killed in action and Wounded Warriors.

Dederick thanked McCarthy “for the opportunity to serve as an Army CASA’’ during the ceremony.

resident Dan Dederick

is appointed as the Army's new Civilian Aide to the Secretary

A Fayetteville resident has been appointed as a new civilian aide to the secretary of theArmy. DAN DEDERICK has been selected to represent North Carolina (East) by Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy.

Each state, the District of Colum-

“My father and uncle served in the Army and from them and others I learned the value of service,” Dederick said. “The experiences I gained over some 30 years of military service caused me to be acutely aware of the inner workings and specific needs of our service men and women and their families. I have a strong willingness to spread the Army message and work as an advocate for soldiers and their families.’’

Dederick is also a member of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Chamber’s Breece Legacy Award in recognition of his work in the community on June 15.

FSU professor Dr. Caroline Glackin most recent recipient of the DSEF Educator of the Year Award

DR. CAROLINE GLACKIN, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment at Fayetteville State University is the most recent recipient of the DSEF Educator of the Year Award.

bia and the five U.S. territories have one or more civilian aides appointed by regions. The civilian aides serve a two-year term without compensa-

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

George Breece (left), Dederick (middle) and GFC President Nat Robertson stand together as Dederick receives the Chamber's George Breece Award.

Turlington

Brown

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) honored Dr. Glackin at the Direct Selling Association’s 2023 Engage conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. The DSEF Educator of the Year award is presented to DSEF Fellows who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, personal involvement, teaching and research.

“The DSEF team is thrilled to recognize Dr. Glackin for her commitment to advancing understanding of the direct selling business model,” said Gary Huggins, DSEF Executive Director, in a press release. “Caroline’s prolific

bizfayetteville.com

authorship, publishing and investigative work on the channel includes award-winning case studies in widely used textbooks and research published in quality, reputable and peer-reviewed academic journals.”

Glackin has made resounding contributions to DSEF’s educational mission, shaping student learning on diverse topics that include minority and women’s entrepreneurship, salesforce effectuation, entrepreneurial leadership and business innovation by partnering with direct selling company founders on case studies and by hosting executive guest speakers in the classroom. As a researcher, she employs cutting-edge analytical methods to provide academics and practitioners with actionable insights.

“Engagement with DSEF and DSA member executives has been an incredible experience,” said Glackin in a press release. “I’ve found leaders in this channel to be welcoming, inquisitive and willing to reflect on their successes and challenges in an open and honest way. There is an attitude of getting to ‘yes’ and an interest in continuous improvement that is contagious.”

ACHIEVERS

Greater Fayetteville Apartment Association member and instructor, John Riggs, inducted into the 2023 AANC Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, April 25 as part of the annual AANC Education & Legislative Conference, GFAA member and instructor, John Riggs, was inducted into the 2023 Apartment Association of North Carolina Hall of Fame.

The Greater Fayetteville Apartment Association highlighted the accomplishment on their website stating: “John Riggs, Senior Service Manager Transition at Blue Ridge Companies, has been in our industry since 1975 and his statewide contributions have made a significant impact. John has been a dedicated AIT Facilitator for the National Apartment Association (NAA) since 2012 and has taught maintenance related classes such as EPA 608 Certification, Appliance classes, CAMT, HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing classes for the majority of local affiliates.”

Riggs

“In addition, he co-authored HVAC Best Practices for local apartment associations and has helped Coastal Carolina Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College set up their maintenance training for the apartment industries. He holds many certifications, including a NSPF Certified Pool Operator, a Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician, a Certified Storm Water BMP Inspections & Maintenance and more. John is a proctor with ESCO Institute and a Certified Appliance Technician for Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire and General Electric. He is also a proud veteran and supporter of fellow veterans.”

According to the website, “This group of VERY well deserving individuals have made significant contributions, accomplishments and service to the multifamily housing industry.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CAROLINE GLACKIN

Dr. Caroline Glackin Named 2023 DSEF Educator of the Year.

A more educated future

BLADEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE WORKS HARD TO SERVE STUDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITY

Community colleges offer a lot of benefits to their students between being a closer knit community and oftentimes serving as a more cost effective option than some larger universities. Bladen Community College offers a variety of educational paths with 36 degree programs, 16 diploma programs and 58 certificates.

“We’re very much known for our customer service to our students,” remarked Vice President of Student Services Barry Priest.

With 1200 curriculum students per semester and around 2000 students for the year in noncredit courses, the college is committed to serving the needs of their students and their community.

“We’re a very small community college, one of the smallest in the system, but small makes us great sometimes, because we’re so well known with our students. Most of our staff, whenever you call a student’s name, they recognize that particular student because we’re not so large. We know our students, and we work really hard to serve our students,” shared Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Community Relations Sondra Guyton.

Bladen Community College prides itself on being “nimble” and constantly progressing to meet the needs of students and businesses in the community.

“A couple of years ago, we developed an apprenticeship program with Smithfield Foods in which we actually went in and assessed what they needed. Their particular industry is moving from less intense labor to more mechanical processes. And so, we developed a mechatronics apprenticeship program with them, and we’ve had tremendous success with that. We trained probably about 40 of their existing staff [in] new skills so that they can upgrade and perhaps earn more money.” shared Guyton.

In addition to apprenticeship programs, the college offers short term training opportunities. Short term training programs range from two days in length to two semesters in length.

“So depending on what the student is looking for, we’re really trying to place them into the program of study that will meet their needs in the shortest period of time. To allow

them to go on to work. So some of our programming will definitely build a skill set, a technical skill set, but we have other programming here that will help them with their more social skills or their interviewing skills, the resources that they need to develop a resume, and so on, so forth. It’s a full service program that we have. So, students get everything they need from the training to knowing how to interview…” shared Vice President for Instructional Services Dr. Dolly Horton.

Beyond the initial formation of these programs, the skills taught in them continue to evolve with the industry to ensure that the college is adequately preparing students for the workforce.

“Last fall, we revisited our apprenticeship with them [Smithfield], and they said that [it] needs to change slightly, and it was based off what was happening and how the industry changed with basically, skill sets. So we’re revitalizing and re-programming the mechatronics program. We’ve met with them several times and we’re gonna be relaunching that this fall to be more focused on what their needs are today because the industry is constantly changing. It very rarely stays the same for six months. So that is the good part about Bladen Community College is all of our programming can be modified and changed very quickly, to offer that student the most up to date skill set to go to work,” added Dr. Horton.

Some other businesses and organizations they work with in addition to Smithfield Foods are Chemours, the public school system, the hospital and a variety of agricultural professionals as well.

Many of the training programs can build upon one another or offer students the opportunity to transi-

tion from one focus to another.

“We really are focusing on articulations. So, the articulations can go between institutions like this college and another college or we can articulate within our own house from non credit to credit programming,” added Dr. Horton.

Not only are the short term training programs shaped by the skills students want to learn and the fields they hope to enter, but the college also offers customized training in which a company reaches out to them and they curate a training program specifically for that company’s employees.

“We’ve got a lot of people getting ready to retire and these companies are trying to make sure they’ve got succession planning in place,” remarked Bladen Community College President Amanda Lee.

Bladen Community College also offers Bladen Early College High School which allows students beginning as early as ninth grade to begin preparing for college and their careers while earning college credits as well.

They’ve also recently implemented an adult high school program for adults to go through the college to complete their high school credential.

One of the biggest barriers to education across the country is finances. Bladen Community College has various scholarship opportunities for students as well as financial aid opportunities for students who qualify for aid. A number of students are able to receive financial help in the form of Pell Grants from the Department of Education.

However, the assistance goes beyond simply getting your name on the roster.

“...I think it’s very important to remember that our foundation does

more than just scholarships. We provide emergency funding for those who have [a] flat tire and you don’t have any other way to get to school and back, [funding for when] something unexpected happens. We have ways to help you survive and to stay in school,” added Guyton.

For a long time many people adopted the idea that obtaining a four year degree was the singular method to success. However, many individuals are able to build rewarding careers by enrolling in technical education programs.

“I think where we are still seeing a need is to make sure that the parents in our community realize the value of those opportunities, of those professions. I think there’s still a lot of emphasis in our community on getting a four year degree to be successful. So those are conversations that we’re having a lot. We’re anxious to get into the high schools. We’ve hired some career coaches for our high schools to sit down and talk to people individually and really talk to them about what are their talents, what are their interests, so that we can help them make some good informed decisions, and be sure they realize the value of all of the things that we offer,” added President Lee.

Community outreach is very important to the faculty and staff of the college.

Coming up on Aug. 12 Bladen Community College is hosting a Back to School Blast for Bladen County school children to come to campus and receive a backpack. There will be a school supply scavenger hunt across the campus and the college invites their community partners to come out and share their resources with the students and their families. The college provides free haircuts and gives out free clothes to the kids and they work to foster a stronger relationship between their community and the future generations.

“We’re small but we’re very mighty. And we have just some wonderful community partners in Bladen County. I can’t say enough about the community” Guyton added.

To learn more about the programs and fields of study offered at Bladen Community College visit their website: www. bladencc.edu

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BLADEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Nighttime Could Be the Right Time to Save.

With PWC’s New Super Off-Peak Rate

On May 1, PWC introduced a new optional Whole Business rate that features significantly lower rates (more than 46% lower than our current Off-Peak rates) for electricity used during Super Off-Peak Hours, 9:00 PM – 5:00 AM daily, all year long. Business customers who sign up for this option pay a slightly higher basic facility charge and Peak rate, while benefiting from much lower rates during the nighttime hours.

Your business may be able to lower your electric bills with this rate plan. Some of the ways you can save money with this plan include doing things like:

• Charging fleet-managed EVs, or providing managed EV charging for multi business/residential units, during Super-Off Peak hours

• Performing power-hungry tasks or running large machinery/ non-essential equipment between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM

For more information, visit: FayPWC.com and click on the TOU Rates for Business in the business section of the website. Or call 910-483-1382 to speak with a PWC representative and learn how our new Whole Business electric rate may benefit your business

910-483-3893

James W. Cook

Agency Manager

Questions & Answers

ELIZABETHTOWN — WHITE LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT TERRI DENNISON SHARES GOALS AND CURRENT PROJECTS

The Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has worked for decades on the promotion of local businesses. Today, with more than 100 members, the Chamber’s mission is to speak for the business community; support economic growth and educational resources; and to enhance the quality of living by partnering with diverse organizations in and around Elizabethtown, White Lake and all of Bladen County. The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal spoke with the Chamber’s Executive Director Terri Dennison to learn more about how the Chamber has been serving the business community as so many bounce back from the impact of COVID-19.

GFBJ: How long has the Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce been serving the area? When was it founded?

DENNISON: In 1956 it was the White Lake Chamber of Commerce, and then in 1974, the name was changed [to] Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. So, we’ve been around a long time. Elizabethtown was here first, that’s been incorporated since 1773. White Lake has been a tourist destination for 100 years. So yeah, long history here.

GFBJ: How did you first get involved in the Chamber?

DENNISON: I was hired in October 2019, to take on a joint position of Director of Communication and Marketing for the Town of Elizabethtown, and one of the duties was to manage the Chamber of Commerce, so I’m actually an employee of the Town of Elizabethtown.

GFBJ: How does the Chamber get involved with Bladen County as a whole?

DENNISON: There’s so many overlapping areas but the Chamber obviously encompasses much more with the name being with White Lake and in recent years, just looking at Bladen County as a whole and supporting all of Bladen County and supporting the efforts of the county commission-

FROM THE EXPERT

ers and the economic development. We all try to work together, especially since the County did a strategic plan last year, and we were heavily involved in the Prosperous Economy piece of that. I was the co-chair on that. My background is often more of a collaborative position, working many different angles just to bring the best for everybody.

GFBJ: How has the Chamber grown since you’ve joined?

DENNISON: I think since 2019, we certainly have a larger sense of everybody working together. It’s really more of a collaboration, with Dane Rideout and Chuck Heustess and even the community college, we’ve all looked at what are our common goals and how can we help each other and that means that sometimes one person takes the lead, or one organization takes the lead and sometimes another does but we kind of just try to support each other and keep moving forward the goals of the County and of the towns.

GFBJ: Are there any goals the Chamber hopes to work toward this year?

DENNISON: We have many goals. I think one of the biggest things is, we’ve really taken a look at Bladen County as a tourist destination, not just White Lake but the whole county. Elizabethtown being the county seat, we’re the hub of commerce,

but how can we improve on that? Because people tend to visit a place they like it so much they move to that place they move their jobs, they move their businesses, it helps an area grow and with Bladen County declining in population over the last couple of years, we knew that we need to embrace something that’s really going to help it grow. I think that’s what all the agencies are working towards. Growth is kind of our mantra right now.

GFBJ: What are some of the things the Chamber and other agencies are considering in their growth plans?

DENNISON: How do we get Bladen County to grow without losing that quality of life and simplicity, the beautiful agriculture, the beautiful outdoors and making that happen? So, from our standpoint in the Chamber, we’ve been probably more active in the development, tourism promotion and encouraging the individual investors like at White Lake where there’s been several investments in improving White Lake and then helping them promote it.

GFBJ: What are some of the success stories in the area from this year?

DENNISON: White Lake this year hit a couple things. First of all, it’s the cover of the Visit North Carolina 2023 Visitor’s Guide. And that wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t, for the

last three years, talking to the state about ‘Look at all these changes; it’s refreshed. Yes, it’s 100 years old, but new things are happening and it’s still a beautiful place for people to come. It’s still a safe place for families to be.’ And the difference from 2020 to 2021 in tourism spending in Bladen County was very significant. There was a 56 percent increase in tourism spending in the two COVID years because we were out there promoting it and saying this is a safe place.

GFBJ: As Executive Director, are there some goals that you have that you would like to see implemented in the next year?

DENNISON: I would love to see a better sense of history. Bringing the historians together but also looking at: What are those significant moments in the history of our area that we need to tell and we need to talk about good, bad or ugly? They’re part of it and we need to embrace them and know what happened. For me moving into this area, it took me a while to figure out why Elizabethtown was where it was until I really understood the naval story industry. And once I had a tour of Turnbull Educational Park, which does a great job on telling that story, …there was nothing that hit me in the face to say, ‘Here it is. This is why.’ So, we’re going to try to do more on getting that story out there.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE ELIZABETHTOWN — WHITE LAKE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Left:Last year, the Chamber decided to redesign their logo. The new logo design combines features of their namesakes while also complimenting their Mother Nature’s Playground campaign.

Right: Executive Director Terri Dennison joined the Elizabethtown area in 2019 after being hired by the Town of Elizabethtown.

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.

HARNETT COUNTY

ITS BY FAITH

CLEANING SERVICES LLC

505 S Magnolia Ave

Dunn

Agent: Nancy Lisseth Avalos Martinez

Cardinal State Softwash LLC

100 Brickyard Lane

Lillington

Agent: Ryan Cole

Gibbons

DOT36 LLC

44 Candler Cour t

Cameron

Agent: Carvin Butler

KATHLEEN CONLON

ART LLC

301 Oakhaven Dr Holly Springs

Agent: KATHLEEN CONLON

Grand Canopy and Amusements LLC

905 Joe Collins Rd

Lillington

Agent: Joshua Michael Quinn

Souther n Business Services LLC

722 Leaflet Church Road

Lillington

Agent: Rose Black

Supreme Carolina Construction LLC

184 Chesapeake Rd

JL Xclusive Rentals LLC

166 West Hamer street

Coats

Agent: JoDasya

Abney

Element 79 LLC.

250 Grove Circle Apartment 202 Lillington

Agent: Courtney Elizabeth Holland

Cameron

Agent: Cody Edmund Altenburg

Creations by Valentine Inc.

25 Dinghy Drive Sanford

Agent: Vered Lewis

Stuff Truck LLC

410 Hawthorne View Court

Fuquay-Varina

Agent: Bertram D Simon

IS Digital Agency LLC

206 Briarcliff Dr Dunn

Agent: Isaiah A Solomon

Upchurch Trucking Services LLC

160 Ethel Cooper

Ln Coats

Agent: Brian Lamar Upchurch

Shali Cosmetics LLC

637 Circle Dr

Angier Agent: Shalia N Artis

Be You Printz and Fabric LLC

179 S Car rie St Coats

Agent: Bianca

Bonita Barfield

The OneCast LLC

310 Pineridge Sanford

Agent: Benjamin Huffman

BIZ LEADS

Gregory Rd

Angier

Agent: Elizabeth Ann Gaudioso

T imber Ridge

Cabinet Solutions LLC

31 Rolling Pines Drive

Spring Lake Agent: Robert W Hales

32 E. Depot St. Suite B

Angier

Agent: Charles

Gregory Bagley

Grandma's Basement LLC

1002 Rollins Mill Road

Holly Springs

Agent: Gavin B Martin

Stu Betts Farms LLC

900 S Main Street

Lillington

Agent: Kelly & West P.A.

Morgan Technical Offerings LLC

295 HIghgrove Dr

Spring Lake

Agent: Joshua Truston Morgan

257 Fuller Dr

Lillington

Agent: Courtney Smith

YanezCreations

Candles & Gifts LLC

27 S Dunn St

Angier

Agent: Kenya Yanez Burton

HEWITTS LLC

460 HIGHGROVE DR

Spring Lake

Agent: TERRANCE D HEWITT

Stanley & Sons LLC

1145 Silas Moore Benson

Agent: Ryan Kreps

NAILS BY BARBY LLC

612 HARNETT ST Dunn

Agent: EDUARDO

COEDO NOA

The Lion's Den Cafe LLC

261 Freedom Ln

Broadway

Agent: Christine Eve Lee

BC INVESTMENTS LLC

293 FLYWAY

DRIVE Lillington

Agent: BOBBY L

CURRIE JR

K&S Management LLC

1596 MCLEAN

CHAPEL CHURCH RD

Bunnlevel Agent: Sherry

Dawn Turner

Loving Leo Baby Boutique LLC

15 Old Montague Way

Cameron

Agent: Angelina R Myers

Mindfully Tactical Incorperated

40 Cottonade Cir

Lillington

Agent: Tony Carlton

AandB Concrete LLC

2131 Carson

SITE Solutions NC LLC

8656 T imothy Rd

Dunn

Agent: James M Storey

STEPHANIE CREATIONS LLC

231 Waters Edge Dr

Erwin

Agent: Sandra Patricia Segovia

Walss

NEVERMIND CLEANING SERVICES LLC

602 WEST LOFTON ST

Lillington

Agent: EMILY PARO

PRONTO AUTO SALES LLC

207 W CUMBERLAND ST

Dunn

Agent: MARIA

ELENA RUSS

The Elite Buckets Lounge LLC

210 South Hill B

Dunn

Agent: Marcus Elliot

Plessinger Concessions LLC

202 Remington Dr.

Coats

Agent: Donald Plessinger

G&S Development NC Inc.

Peak Tandems LLC

26 Schoomaker Court

Broadway

Agent: Thomas L

Peaks

EIG Dispatch Services Inc.

150 True Blue Dr

Broadway

Agent: Tasha

Lavette Ellis

Osos Painting LLC

40 Mountainside Lane

Sanford

Agent: Javier Osorio

Jaimes

Atks of Love LLC

111 Salisbur y Lane

Spring Lake

Agent: Melissa Atkins

Waddell Home Solutions LLC

1455 James Nor ris Rd

Angier Agent: Hunter Waddell

A touch of mama's cleaning LLC

27 Longleaf Cir

Cameron

Agent: Teneisha

Lashaun Jackson

RTW Rentals LLC

64 Wallace Street

Angier Agent: Tamika

Nicole Evans

Anderson Creek Lions Club Foundation

125 Whispering Pines Dr.

Spring Lake

Agent: Mary Fedele

Cape Fear Classics LLC

4974 Mcdougald Rd

Lillington

Agent: Kristie Linda Lewis

Que Logistics LLC

6771 Cool Spring Rd

Broadway

Agent: Laquenton Yvain Dowdy

Santiago G Roofing LLC

12 Bowling Green Ln #33

Angier Agent: Alejandra

Gumercindo Santiago

The Rabbit Warren LLC

234 W. Lisa St.

Coats

Agent: Fred Robinson

Ashley Residential Group LLC

1860 HWY 87 S Suite B

Cameron Agent: Leanna Ashley

Endeavors Transport Services LLC

Divine Home Services LLC

73 Skipping Water Dr. Spring Lake

Agent: Devin Biagianti

Colo Trucking LLC

3911 NC 55 Dunn

Agent: Edwin Mendez

Elite Transport Solutions LLC

234 W Church St

Angier

Agent: Bradley L Tabron

Sandhills Sharks

Rugby 104 Sword Loop

Broadway Agent: Michael Walter Markofski

Cour tney Masters Doula LLC

658 Valley Oak Drive

Bunnlevel

Agent: Courtney Masters

Carolina Patriot Collegiate League

46 Brookhill Court

Spring Lake

Agent: Wayne Douglas Richey Jr.

Mims Proper ty Group LLC

31 Langford Rd

Fuquay Varina

Agent: Brandon Mims

DC Millwork LLC

50 Otto Rd Lillington

Agent: Douglas Courtright

HOKE COUNTY Airbor ne Inflatables LLC

110 Stockade Ct

Raeford

Agent: Shawn Jimenez

Compass F inished Carpentry LLC

203 East Donaldson Avenue

Raeford

Agent: Rene Anne Campos

Ahmad McAr n LLC

155 Alabama Wy Raeford

Agent: Kyvonte McArn

Raise The Grade L.L.C.

152 Detroit Ct

Raeford

Agent: Robert Stephen Shelton

Black Ops Youth Organization

8164 Fayetteville Rd

Raeford

Agent: Rashaun H Quiovers

My Future Trucking LLC

305 Lawrence McCullum Rd

Raeford Agent: James E Roberson Jr

Gastric sleeve surgery was the tool I needed to be successful in my weight loss journey.”

Incoming internet

NEARLY $80 MILLION AWARDED TO GIVE MORE NORTH CAROLINIANS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS

Across North Carolina, 25,825 households and 862 businesses in 33 counties will get high-speed internet thanks to nearly $80 million in additional Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants,

Governor Roy Cooper announced on Thursday, July 6.

“We want all North Carolinians connected to high-speed internet so they can take full advantage of digital opportunities for work, learning, health and more,” Governor Cooper said in a press release. “These grants will fund projects in communities from all corners of our state so more families and businesses will have access to affordable, reliable broadband.”

The following counties within the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal’s coverage area were awarded GREAT grants to deploy broadband infrastructure:

BLADEN COUNTY:

Star Telephone Membership Corp (Star Communications)

MOORE COUNTY:

Spectrum Southeast, LLC (Charter Communications)

“This grant program is already set to bring high-speed internet to numerous households and businesses across North Carolina and we’re pleased that we will now reach even more unserved areas,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Jim Weaver in a press release. “These grants are just one of the many ways we are working to expand internet access and ensure digital equity.”

As part of the federally-funded GREAT grant eligibility requirements, all internet service provider applicants must participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program to offer eligible low-income households a $30 per month discount on highspeed internet service, or provide access to a comparable low-cost program.

NCDIT has now awarded all of the $350 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding available for the GREAT grant program. For this round of funding, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity reviewed a total of 104 eligible applica-

tions in 58 counties.

Grants are being awarded to the highest-scoring internet provider that applied in each county based on the number of households and businesses they propose to serve, the average cost to serve those locations and the speeds offered, among other criteria required by law.

Applicants must agree to provide high-speed service, defined as a minimum of 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload, scalable to 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload on or before Dec. 31, 2026. All awards are contingent on final executed grant agreements with broadband provider partners. The division plans to make additional awards to remaining counties using additional federal funds later this month.

More information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and Governor Cooper’s plan to close the digital divide can be found at www.ncbroadband.gov.

We want all North Carolinians connected to highspeed internet so they can take full advantage of digital opportunities for work, learning, health and more.”

“

GLENN CARSTENS PETERS/UNSPLASH

Moore and Bladen Counties are two out of 33 counties that will benefit from the grants.

Largest Employers - Bladen County As ranked by NC Department of Commerce

Largest Employers - Bladen County As ranked by NC Department of Commerce

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Highland Country Club, Fayetteville, NC

OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE

Ted Abernathy, a nationally respected economic strategist based in North Carolina, will talk about the Fayetteville region’s competitive strengths and weaknesses as well as how the changing landscape in global trade, technology and demographics will impact our community in 2023 and beyond.

Ted Abernathy is the Managing Partner of Economic Leadership, which helps communities and other clients analyze competitiveness, develop strategies and reimagine the future.

In the past nine years, Abernathy and his team have worked on 146 projects in more than 20 states and internationally. He currently serves as economic advisor to the Council of State Chambers and previously held a similar position to the Southern Governor’s Association.

The Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Fayetteville, NC 28305

TED ABERNATHY Managing Partner Economic Leadership

MILITARY AFFILIATED AND VETERANS STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER