Hope Mills announces Phase II of Elevate Hope Mills Initiative; Three-day financial empowerment series coming Sept. 9-11

By Staff Report, posted Aug 20, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

Logo provided by: The Town of Hope Mills

Following the resounding success of Phase One of the Elevate Hope Mills Community & Business Growth Initiative, which brought together nearly 60 local vendors and over 400 residents, the initiative is entering its next chapter: Phase Two – The Financial Empowerment Series.

For three nights, Sept. 9–11, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the John W. Hodges Public

Safety Center, local residents and business owners will gather for “Money Moves That Matter: A 3-Day Financial Empowerment Series for Real Life.” Led by industry experts, these workshops will provide practical tools to break financial cycles, build multiple streams of income and protect against economic uncertainty.

“We know that small businesses often struggle not only with access to contracts and capital, but also with the personal financial strain of their expenses while growing. In fact, a recent study found that 82% of small business failures are directly linked to cash flow challenges—often stemming from poor personal financial habits. Phase II tackles that problem head-on, giving entrepreneurs and families the tools to budget, save, and build resilience in a time when inflation has made everyday life more difficult than ever,” said Hope Mills Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Kenjuana McCray in a press release.

From phase one to phase two: building momentum

Phase One of Elevate Hope Mills— the Community Resource Fair — brought historic energy to the town. Thousands of dollars in revenue was circulated in one day among local vendors, with dozens of appointments booked and long-term business relationships established. Surveys revealed an overwhelming desire for continued support, particularly in the area of personal and household finances.

Phase Two answers that call.

What to expect:

Over the course of three days, participants will gain access to practical, life-changing financial knowledge:

Day 1: Creating a budget that actually works and breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck
cycle.
Day 2: Building multiple streams of income, saving, and investing wisely.
Day 3: Protecting credit, planning for emergencies, and securing long-term financial

stability through insurance, wills, and legacy planning.

Each night is designed to be interactive, accessible, and actionable—with attendees walking away with tools they can immediately apply to their lives and businesses.

While financial literacy workshops exist, this is the first time a small town in North Carolina has paired a community-wide economic development initiative with a hands-on financial empowerment series. Elevate Hope Mills isn’t just an event—it’s a blueprint for building stronger local economies by starting where it matters most: the financial health of the people and businesses that power them.

Participation is free, but seats are limited. Residents and small business owners are encouraged to register early to secure their spot.

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