The Town of Hope Mills and the contractors for the new Camden Commons commercial development gathered with the community for a groundbreaking ceremony this morning to mark the official start of construction on the development’s anchor tenant. 

“I want to say one word: investment. This is an 82-acre investment in the future of our community, the Hope Mills community. It's also an investment in the future of Cumberland County, because any type of commercial investment of this type lifts all of us in our county,” shared Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers.

As one of the largest commercial developments in the history of Hope Mills, the Camden Commons project represents a significant investment in the community’s future. Target, the development’s anchor tenant, will soon begin construction, marking an important milestone in the project’s progress. 

“We have 82 acres here, anchored by what I believe is the best retailer in the country. I developed my first Target anchored shopping center in 1999 in Hickory, North Carolina, and over the years, many more, mostly in the Carolinas,” shared Fletcher Bright Company representative Fox Johnston. “For all those years, Target has been a first-class company to work with on this project…the entire team has been professional, communicative, responsive and constructive at every step. We truly could not have asked for a better team.”

This unique Target store concept is being brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Fletcher Bright Company, Target, Busch Construction, Highland Paving and McKim & Creed Engineers, Surveyors, and Planners, whose partnership has been instrumental in making this transformational development a reality.

“It started with a vision, and we didn't get here - like you guys have said - one person didn't make this happen, it took a combination of partnerships to make this happen,” added Mayor Bellflowers.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the store's opening is expected in 2027.