Volume 5 Issue 19: Mar 13, 2026

Helo

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

Mar 19, 2026

CommWell Health opening new location in Coats; announces retirement of CEO

Graphic courtesy of CommWell HealthCommWell Health, a large private nonprofit Community Health Center, was recently awarded a competitive grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand essential healthcare access in C ...

Mar 19, 2026

Advancing military technology: Dragon's Lair pitch goes from idea to production

Spc. Alexander Soto, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, presents the modular drone case at the Airborne Innovation Lab, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 9, 2026. Soto noted the recurring problem of drones ...

Mar 19, 2026

Hogs & chickens & turkeys, oh my! Sampson County Friends of Agriculture Ag Rally scheduled for March 17

Graphic provided by Sampson County Friends of AgricultureThe Sampson County Friends of Agriculture would like to invite the greater Fayetteville community to their annual Agriculture Rally on March 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Originally organized by ...

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
nc-military-business-center fran-perez-wilhite headshot

Fran Perez-Wilhite
NC Military Business Center

The 2026 Medical, Biomedical & Biodefense: Support to America’s Warfighters and Veterans Symposium Will Connect Medical Industry Businesses with Key Federal and Department of War Decision Makers

Posted Aug 2, 2026
The Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, Office of US Senator Ted Budd, the North Carolina Military Business Center, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center will host the Medical, Biomedical & Biodefense (MBB): Support to America’s Warfight
  ...read entire article
Mar 19, 2026

Ignite your next chapter: Ignite Loan Program fuels business growth and expansions

The Carolina Small Business Development Fund created and privately operates Ignite, a flexible loan program offering up to $75,000 to help small businesses thrive. Hope Mills-based Barbra Ann’s Southern Fried Chicken is a business that received fundi ...

Mar 19, 2026

The rise of Hope Mills: Luxury and community with The One Apartments and Sweetwater Homes

The One is a 360-unit luxury apartment development offering one, two and three-bedroom options, and Sweetwater will offer 75 new homes. ...


Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
cape-fear-valley-health hannah-simpson-racr headshott

Broaden your horizons at Cape Fear Valley Health

Hannah Simpson, RACR - Senior Campus Recruiter and Community Partnership Liaison, Cape Fear Valley Health
highstreet-warren-insurance-group taylor-warren headshott

Are your adventures covered? Coverage tips for your RV, ATV and boat

Taylor Warren - President, Highstreet Warren Insurance Group
firsthealth-of-the-carolinas chasse-bailey-dorton-md headshott

Ask the Expert: Integrative Oncology and Survivorship

Chasse Bailey-Dorton, M.D. - Director of Integrative Oncology and Survivorship, FirstHealth of the Carolinas

In The Current Issue

Bearded soldier to brand manager: Chad Kraken's journey to building his business empire

The KRAKEN-SKULLS brand includes a barbershop, a tattoo shop, a T-shirt company, an embroidery company, a website design company, a media marketing and graphic design company and an auto shop. Photos by GFBJ.When Chad Kraken retired from the military


From agritourism to event spaces: How Fred and Anita Surgeon prioritize people in business

Fred Surgeon, with the support of his wife Anita, owns and operates Surgeon &Associates, Inc, a family of businesses with everything from agritourism, pestcontrol, cleaning services and behavioral health services. Photos provided by Fred Surgeon.


Award-winning acquisition: Coldwell Banker Advantage team celebrates nationwide awards with new leadership

Agents and leadership from Coldwell Banker Advantage and Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage gathered to celebrate one of their own as she was recognized with two national achievements. A new C-Suite leader was also in attendance.