Volume 4 Issue 19: Mar 14, 2025

Helo

Click on the cover image to flip through the entire issue.

Mar 20, 2025

Getting things done in Dunn: Nancy Blackman reflects on her career in supporting and funding small businesses in rural NC

Nancy Blackman. Photo provided by Blackman.In the landscape of regional rural economic development, Nancy J. Blackman stands out for providing financial opportunities to hundreds of small businesses and helping them to forge a path forward in uncerta ...

Mar 20, 2025

On a mission: Kaylynn Suarez is ready to engage with the community as the new executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in 2025

PHOTO BY RAYMIE DAY PHOTOGRAPHY Kaylynn Suarez became executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival in December of 2024. Since then, she has outdone herself at every turn. But it’s not just all her experience, Suarez’s positive, go-get ...

Mar 20, 2025

Editor's note: "I'm Every Woman"

Happy Women’s History Month all! I hope you took some time to reflect on the important women in your life on International Women’s Day this past Saturday, March 8. I myself have had the unofficial theme song of the month “I’m Every Woman” by the irre ...

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
cape-fear-valley-health marty-breswitz headshot

Marty Breswitz
Cape Fear Valley Health

A second chance: Family, faith and a life-saving heart

Posted Jan 20, 2026
Heart disease runs deep in my family. My father, all his brothers—even my own brothers and I—have walked this hard road. I was 36 when I had my first heart attack. That day, Dr. Bacon, with Cape Fear Valley Health, put in three stents and started me
  ...read entire article
Mar 20, 2025

A perfect pitch: WBC at CEED hosts fourth annual HERPitch competition to launch Women's History Month

Left to Right: WBC Director Danice Langdon, HERPitch finalists Karla Jackson, Shatara Het Heru Bey, Anedra Walls, Miss North Carolina High School America 2025 Abigail Dries, HERPitch finalists Lonyae McCune, Tia Whittlesey and Yeniz Parton. Photos by ...


Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
holmes-security-systems luke-wheeler headshott

The Hidden Costs of Poor Security: How Small Vulnerabilities Create Big Losses for Businesses

Luke Wheeler - Vice President, Holmes Security Systems
fayetteville-state-university elizabeth-hunt headshott

Fayetteville State University leads campus-wide CPR and AED preparedness push

Elizabeth Hunt - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Risk and Compliance, Fayetteville State University
the-arts-council-of-fayettevillecumberland-county kennon-jackson headshott

ArtsXL Is a Tourism Strategy, Not Just a Building

Kennon Jackson - Chief of Staff, The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

In The Current Issue

Mutts with a mission: Specialized K9 program supports local Veterans

Kristen Botts co-founded the program with her husband, Nathan Botts, who is a Veteran himself. Photos provided by Kristen Botts.An organization helping Veterans live a full life after their service in the U.S. Military wants to connect Veterans and d


Committed to community: Huntington Bank completes merger with Cadence Bank, continues to grow client base

Patrick NoblesHuntington Bancshares Incorporated announced on Feb. 2 that it has closed its merger with Cadence Bank, a regional bank headquartered in Houston, Texas and Tupelo, Miss. This strategic partnership accelerates Huntington’s growth in


Editor's note: What really catches the attention of someone new to Fayetteville?

There is extensive dialogue surrounding Fayetteville as a travel destination or city aimed at recruiting new businesses and new residents. As someone who moved here from out of state, I thought it could be fun to share my personal experience as