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Dec 11, 2025

Hemp hemp hurray: Local farmer and business man seeks to educate the broader community about the many uses for hemp

Keith Dunn began farming hemp in 2017. A few weeks later he founded East Carolina Hemp Supply. After years of slow but steady growth, Dunn hopes to one day be able to build a hemp processing plant in North Carolina to boost the industry and local eco ...

Nov 14, 2025

National Entrepreneur Month: Local Black-owned company revenue exceeds $20M with 300-acre ranch

Fayetteville-based entrepreneur Fred Surgeon has achieved a great deal on his journey from early franchise operations to a family of companies, including a 300-acre agritourism destination co-owned with his wife, Anita Surgeon. Now, he wants to help ...

Nov 13, 2025

Women’s-only fitness studio thrives on community and prepares for supersized Ladies Lift Night with a goal of giving back

Gracefully Fit is located in Westwood Shopping Center occupying just over 4000 square feet. Photos by GFBJ.This time last year, GFBJ sat down with Grace Bex to discuss her vision of opening a women’s only fitness center in Fayetteville. After overcom ...

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cape-fear-valley-blood-donor-center emily-deyoung headshot

Emily DeYoung
Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center

A season of giving: The urgent need for blood in Fayetteville

Posted Dec 11, 2025
During the holiday season, the need for blood donations at Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center grows even more urgent, as changing routines and increased travel contribute to a dip in regular donations. Despite this, the demand for blood remains stea
  ...read entire article
Sep 25, 2025

Creativity in Cumberland: Arts Council champions community, artistry and economic impact

The opening reception for the Arts Council’s previous exhibit, Where the Wild Becomes Divine by Lady Natalia Perez Lozano. The exhibit featured striking imagery of feminine figures, symbolic elements and bold compositions that explored themes of inst ...

Aug 20, 2025

Hungry for success: Local entrepreneur Kelton Battle is changing the vending machine game in North Carolina

Today, Hungry Snacks Vending operates 140 machines across North Carolina, with locations ranging from schools to public transit stations. ...

Aug 20, 2025

Questions & Answers: Development and marketing professional puts community care first in their mission to provide resources

Development and Marketing Director for The CARE Clinic Nicole Ryan is passionate about connecting her community to healthcare resources. Joining the clinic staff in January 2025 and working her way from administrative assistant to her current positio ...

Aug 20, 2025

Making an impact: Attorney Davis Puryear is working to help the people of Fayetteville both personally and professionally

Davis Puryear - photo by GFBJFayetteville native Davis Puryear, a decorated attorney and a partner at Hutchens Law Firm LLP, is a driven young leader who wants to make his city a better place. The 35-year-old attorney – practicing in the areas o ...

Aug 7, 2025

Built to last: Fayetteville family business Hinkamp Jewelers celebrates its 70th anniversary

Siblings Walter “Wally” Hinkamp, Jr. and Donna Hinkamp Warren have taken over their family business. For siblings Walter “Wally” Hinkamp, Jr. and Donna Hinkamp Warren, operating Hinkamp Jewelers isn’t just a labor of love, but the continuation o ...

Jul 24, 2025

Empowering the mission: Linchpin Solutions provides tools to turn the tech of the future into the tools of today

Linchpin Solutions attends defense conferences throughout the year, using conferences and tradeshows to exhibit their services and connect with network professionals, including industry, military and government leaders to address and understand today ...


Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
cape-fear-valley-blood-donor-center emily-deyoung headshott

A season of giving: The urgent need for blood in Fayetteville

Emily DeYoung - Practice Administrator, Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center
fayetteville-state-university monica-garcia-perez-phd headshott

Incorporating academic readings in economics classrooms: A collaborative research initiative

Mónica García-Pérez, Ph.D. - Distinguished Professor of Economics, Fayetteville State University
north-carolina-military-business-center tj-gilroy headshott

North Carolina Holds a Home-Field Advantage in the Innovation Game

TJ Gilroy - Business Development Professional, North Carolina Military Business Center

In The Current Issue

Hemp hemp hurray: Local farmer and business man seeks to educate the broader community about the many uses for hemp

Keith Dunn began farming hemp in 2017. A few weeks later he founded East Carolina Hemp Supply. After years of slow but steady growth, Dunn hopes to one day be able to build a hemp processing plant in North Carolina to boost the industry and local eco


Australian manufacturer to launch North American operations in Bladen County, investing more than $6M in Elizabethtown

Photo provided by Bladen County Economic DevelopmentVectorTex USA, LLC, a product developer and technology company, will create 44 new jobs in Bladen County. The company will establish its first North American manufacturing facility in Elizabethtown.