Launched by $4 million in federal Congressional appropriations, Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and the Community Development Foundation are leading the effort to build a transformational center that will help military personnel and their families secure employment. 

Nearly 7,000 service members and 26,000 active military spouses transition to the private sector and live on or near Fort Bragg. Only 19 percent of those report adequate full-time employment. 

“The 7,000 soldiers who separate annually from Fort Bragg represent the finest our nation has to offer,” FCEDC Vice President Rob Patton said. “Our job is to help retain that talent here and further grow our workforce. We see the HR Talent Portal as being a critical asset in talent management and ultimately in corporate recruitment to our region.”

The creation of the HR Talent Portal will substantially increase private sector hiring of our military, as well as support from the employment of military spouses. This portal will also connect veterans to career opportunities and encourage companies to establish a North Carolina presence. 

Senator Thom Tillis helped secure the funding for the project through the Senate Committee on Appropriations with the support of the North Carolina delegation. 

Currently, companies can begin training transitioning soldiers at the Career Skills Training Site, but the HR Talent Portal can expand the work being done, accommodate a backlog of inquiries from companies interested in building public-private partnerships, and boost employment in the area.

“Our service members at Fort Bragg develop a toolbox of critical leadership skills while serving our nation in uniform, and the community of Fayetteville has shown a commitment to ensuring they have a successful transition back to civilian life,” said Tillis. “I was proud to work with local Fayetteville leaders on the funding request for the HR Talent Portal project, and I’m excited to see the opportunities it creates for our transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses by providing them with the education and training needed to start their new careers.”

The HR Talent Portal promises to result in positive, measurable outcomes that will increase employment of transitioning service members and new employment opportunities for their families. 

“The facility has already generated interest from dozens of technology companies, military contractors, and private sector employers seeking access to this powerful talent pipeline,” added Cumberland County’s Board of Commissioners Chairman, Glenn Adams. “We’re thrilled to see this project begin to take shape. Our goal is to continue to support, develop, and grow additional training and educational opportunities for our workforce.”

The facility is expected to lead to the successful recruitment of companies to Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and North Carolina.