Economic & Community Development

Announcing Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant Cycle 8 Awardees

ECD, in partnership with the Office of Community Safety, is pleased to announce the awardees for Cycle 8 of the Empowering Community Safety Micro-Grant program. The City has awarded a total of $115,500 in micro-grant funding to boost community-led crime and violence prevention activities and programs. 22 micro-grants were awarded, ranging from $1,500 to the maximum amount of $10,000.

Learn more about the awardees here.

NOW OPEN: 2026 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Financing

The City of Fayetteville will, from time to time, make funds available for gap financing exclusively for rental projects that will then seek a Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) award from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).It is the City’s goal to assist developers who have the best chance of receiving a LIHTC award and it is the City’s intent to award funds to as many developers as practical to increase our community’s chances of receiving a LIHTC award. Applications must be submitted through the Neighborly Application Portal (see below).

The applications open Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and close Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Click to read the LIHTC Question and Answer Document(PDF, 93KB).

To read more, please visit "Affordable Housing Opportunities" on our Development Opportunities page.

Citizen Participation Meetings for the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan

The City of Fayetteville's Economic and Community Development Department is hosting its annual Citizen Participation Meetings in support of the Annual Action Plan. These meetings are designed to give residents the opportunity to advise ECD on the recommended Annual Action Plan, including funding recommendations.

Meetings will be held throughout the City and all residents are welcome to attend. The meetings are as follows:

• Wednesday, February 11th @ 6 PM - Massey Hill Recreation Center
• Thursday, February 19th @ 6 PM - Smith Recreation Center
• Wednesday, February 25th @ 6:30 PM - Westover Recreation Center
• Thursday, March 5th @ 7 PM - EE Miller Recreation Center

Read the 2026-2027 Recommended Annual Action Plan here(PDF, 975KB) .

Micro-Grant Cycle 8 Capacity-Building Workshops Announced

The City of Fayetteville is offering a three-part capacity-building workshop series designed to help community members start, manage, and sustain successful nonprofit organizations. Participants will learns the practical steps of forming a nonprofit, operating day-to-day programs, building leadership and volunteer teams, and securing ongoing funding through grants and fundraising. 

Workshops will be held in person at 6:30 PM on February 18th, March 11th, and April 8th. 

Register to Attend

84 New Affordable Units Coming to Fayetteville as Part of $25 Million Development

The City of Fayetteville is turning 6.32 acres of City-owned vacant property at the southern end of Murchison Road into 84 attainable apartment units.

The new $25 million development will be called Central Park Villas. 

“Attainable in our opinion means the people in the community that live there will not have to find a new place to live because they can’t afford it. And this will bring more options and a new project into an area that’s affordable and attainable quite frankly. gentrification was important to us, and we want to make sure that the growth and progress is measured,” said Fayetteville’s Mayor Mitch Colvin. 

To read the news article about Central Park Villas, click here.

First Time Homebuyer Workshop Dates Announced for Early 2026

These monthly workshops help first-time homebuyers understand the full homebuying journey—from budgeting and choosing a lender to securing a mortgage, closing, and caring for their new home. Led by Kingdom Community Development Corporation, sessions are held every fourth Saturday at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Completing a workshop fulfills the education requirement for the City’s Homebuying HERO program. To register, scan the QR code below or check out the "First Time Homebuyer Workshop" tab on our Resident Resources page.

The mission of the City of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development Department is to engage with neighborhoods, community partners, and the private sector to build a stronger economy and community for all residents.

ECD works to improve community wealth, increase access to essential services, and enhance resilience through neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing development, economic incentives, and the management of federal grants. Our work centers around four primary focus areas:

• Creating and sustaining affordable housing

• Supporting the development and growth of small businesses

• Partnering with community organizations to address homelessness

• Providing resources and partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods

We would love to speak with your organization about the programs and resources we offer to Fayetteville residents. To learn more or schedule a presentation, please contact us at 910-433-1590 or email EconCommDev@FayettevilleNC.gov.

Chris Cauley is the Director of the City of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development (ECD) Department.

With over a decade of diverse experience in local government—including budget management, strategic planning, organizational excellence, and community economic development—Chris brings a well-rounded and visionary approach to his role.

Joining the ECD team in 2019 as Assistant Director, Chris quickly stepped into the Director role, where he has been a driving force in advancing innovative solutions that benefit the community. Under his leadership, the department has secured new funding opportunities, expanded the City’s capacity to utilize federal funds effectively, and fostered a collaborative, inclusive culture that feels like family.

Chris’s dedication and impact have earned him recognition as one of the Fayetteville Observer’s prestigious “40 Under 40” in 2022. Beyond his City role, he actively contributes to the community as a member of the Board of Directors for both the United Way of Cumberland County and the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Continuum of Care, championing initiatives that uplift those in need.

The Economic and Community Development (ECD) Department is powered by a passionate and skilled team dedicated to building a stronger Fayetteville. Our staff combines expertise in housing, economic growth, community partnerships, and federal grant management to create lasting, positive change for our residents.

The Fayetteville Redevelopment Commission (FRC) is a seven-member body appointed by City Council that serves as the primary citizen participation group for projects funded through the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME programs. The FRC supports ECD by advising on housing, community, and economic development issues, with a special focus on older, declining, and lower-income neighborhoods. Following annual public hearings, the Commission submits its recommendations and an annual progress report to City Council and other interested parties.

Members

• Mr. Derek Scott - Chair
• Mr. Teddy Warner - Vice Chair
• Ms. Shamike Bethea
• Ms. Dineen Morton
• Ms. Katherine Smalls
• Ms. Keshonta Williams
• Mr. Tyler Patton

Meetings

FRC meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3 PM in the OD&T Training Classroom at 225 Ray Avenue, Suite 122. For more information about the City’s Boards and Commissions, including how to apply for a position, please visit the City Council’s website.