
Fayetteville’s Merica Simpson has received an investment in her education after being awarded a scholarship from the The North Carolina Economic Development Corporation.
Simpson, who currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation was awarded a North Carolina Economic Development Academy Scholarship, which will help curb the costs to attend one course offering of the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer program at East Carolina University.
“I'm very grateful to have been awarded this scholarship through the North Carolina Economic Development Association. As part of my NCCED certification, I’ll utilize this at my alma mater, ECU,'s Economic Development Academy,” shared Simpson. “I look forward to broadening my knowledge of economic development to further aid FCEDC in promoting the community.
Thank you to the NCEDA board for affording me this opportunity.”
Simpson was presented with the scholarship at the NCEDA’s 2023 Spring Conference held in Pinehurst.
On Monday, June 1, 2026, Tribe members from District 2 and District 15, the districts surrounding the area currently planned for the casino, met for a community meeting.Amidst the glitz and glamour of the idea of a new casino coming to the Lumbee Tri
This is the fourth year that ETI has hosted the event, and in years past Freeman has seen a host of innovative technology, including various drone types and programming, robotic dogs, 3D printed houses, and airspace scanners. Photo provided by USSOCO
Crystal McLean (left) with Scott Embry (right). Money Box Academy received a $10,000 grant from United Way of Cumberland County’s Youth Growth Stock Trust. Photos provided by Crystal McLean.The Youth Growth Stock Trust Committee, administered by the