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Oct 22, 2026

Building bridges: The Military Affairs Council's commitment to Fort Bragg and Fayetteville’s collaborative future

The Military Affairs Council currently has around 170 members and is always looking to grow and recruit additional members. Photo provided by The MAC.A mainstay institution that helps connect Fort Bragg to the greater Fayetteville area continues to c ...

Oct 9, 2026

Locally sourced, family-owned: No-BS Meats celebrates the opening of its new storefront in downtown Fayetteville

Nikole (pictured) and Lakota Shawn began selling their meat at farmers markets and in an online store in 2024. Now, they’ve opened their first brick-and-mortar location. Photo by GFBJ.The Shawn family believes in quality, locally sourced food, and th ...

Sep 28, 2026

See the brilliance: Dunn artist creates and sells glass artwork that shines brightly

Cindy Akers-Gilford creates stained glass, fused glass, mosaics, handmade glass jewelry, pendants, suncatchers and other original glass artwork in her studio in Dunn, N.C. Photos provided by Cimply Broken.Self-made Artist and Founder of Cimply Broken ...

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TJ Gilroy
North Carolina Military Business Center

NCMBC Technology Transition Office Highlights New Department of War SBIR/STTR Updates for North Carolina Small Businesses

Posted Oct 1, 2026
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) Technology Transition Office is encouraging North Carolina small businesses, technology companies, entrepreneurs and research institutions to review important updates recently issued by the Departme
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Sep 8, 2026

From superintendent to startup founder: Dr. Jennifer Smith's vision for a 24-hour childcare center in Bladen County

Bladen County has a contestant in the statewide Startup Showdown, a business startup competition from the Small Business Center Network and Wells Fargo. Dr. Jennifer Smith is one of 17 contestants, and she is representing not just Bladen County but t ...

Sep 2, 2026

Fort Bragg Veteran celebrates expansion of high-end experiential entertainment brand

Photo provided by EscapologyAfter 15 years as an Army officer at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville resident Dan Cooke transitioned to business ownership to bring high-end experiential entertainment to North Carolina, applying strict military operational syste ...

Aug 27, 2026

Fulfilling community needs: Fayetteville dynamic duo built three businesses on a passion for food and community

After workshopping the idea for a new restaurant concept with a few regular customers, Brian and Staci decided to take a chance on Napkins, their first business and Brian’s first experience owning a restaurant. ...

Aug 27, 2026

Catering from the heart: Family-owned Two Brothers Catering keeps community hearts and stomachs full

Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service. Photo ...

Jul 31, 2026

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 ...

Jul 31, 2026

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. ...


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In The Current Issue

A legacy of valor: Recognizing the vital role of the Green Beret Foundation in supporting Special Forces

The US Army Special Forces (SF), known as Green Berets because they are awarded a green beret to wear following the rigorous selection and training process, are specialized military units trained to conduct special operations. Photo provided by the G


Fueling families: USAA AND Robert Irvine Foundation launch Fuel to Serve to strengthen military family well-being and readiness

Fuel to Serve will go “beyond the dining hall,” using food and shared meals as trusted entry points to link families with a broader network of resources. Photo courtesy of USAA.USAA and the Robert Irvine Foundation recently announced Fuel to Serve. T


Publisher's note: Happy Halloween!

Yes, those are decorations currently in my home. Yes, I may have spent more money than average for two oversized mums that are taking up way too much space on my porch, and yes, I may have stood my ground in a Lowe’s hardware store arguing with my hu