I am so honored to be in a position where I can be nosy and get paid for it. 

Working as a journalist has its ups and downs, but working as a business journalist has its mountains and gorges. 

Between people not returning phone calls, businesses not wanting to talk at all or actively pursuing a story just to have a vital interview agree to talk to you and give the dreaded words “no comment,” it can feel grating at times. 

As I look back on my time as a journalist, I am proud of the work I’ve done and the partnerships I’ve established with members of every community I’ve been in. I’m especially proud of the trust I’ve been able to instill with community members that their stories will be handled with care, their requests to have statements redacted approved and their embargoes honored. 

This week I had the pleasure of being invited to a meeting at Fayetteville State University and sitting in on a private meeting announcing the newest addition to FSU’s degree programs: Construction Project Management. 

This is being brought together by FSU, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Metcon Construction, the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity and of course with support from the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County government. I was the only media there and I am so thankful that the University trusts me so much to break that story. 

By the time this issue hits your mailbox, I’m sure I’ve posted the full story on our website but, if not, I guess I’m breaking the news now! 

We hope you enjoy this issue, after some much needed R & R (who am I kidding I was speaking at an alumni event all weekend at Appalachian State University two weekends ago), I came back to tons of new good news dropping including the new Phinite facility in Sampson County opening (page 3), new Fort Bragg Housing developments (page 5), A new awards event to look forward to from DistiNCtly Fayetteville (page 10) and news about the official ground breaking at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre (page 13). I got back and the team got to work! 

And don’t forget to check out page 12 for a list of Easter events that may be coming to your area soon! 

Happy reading!