Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/704553
8 JULY 20-26, 2016 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM In recent months the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce got bogged down with some internal disappointments and loss of momentum brought about, in part, by 10 years of frustration in the town because of the uncertain future of Hope Mills Lake. The dam on the lake was compromised twice. It was first breached in 2005, and again in 2010. The town has been without its popular lake for those 10 years and only now is the dam being rebuilt. New life has been breathed into the organization. The Chamber has new leadership. Longtime Presi- dent Jan Spell got a new board of directors in May and a new executive director the same month. "We did a lot of reorganizing, and I now have a new spring in my step," said Spell. She's been the chamber's volunteer president for 10 years. Jan and her husband Terry have changed the face of the town. Their company developed 16 residential subdivisions and three apartment complexes. Terry Spell is a native of Hope Mills. Jan has been a civic leader in more ways than one. She's treasurer of the Hope Mills Kiwanis Club. She serves on the Methodist University Board of Visitors and the Southeastern Regional Medical Center Board. A couple of months ago, Spell was introduced to Tiffany Aldridge, a recent college graduate with a business degree from Campbell University. Her parents settled in nearby Rockfish years ago. Tiffany is a native of Ala- bama and a military brat. She was recommended to Spell to take over the chamber's vacant executive director's post in the charming chamber offices on Trade Street. When they met, they clicked immediately because their personalities meshed. Spell's friends refer to her as a dynamo. Aldridge is described as spunky. "I like the whole small town feeling," Aldridge explained. "It's friendly and feels like home." Spell says the chamber of commerce cur- rently has about 190 members. She notes they enjoy a significant degree of free-wheeling independence in their zeal to promote and de- velop the town of 16,000. The chamber's focus for some time has been on what's referred to as "Area 41," a 1,000-acre mostly undeveloped tract along both sides of I-95's Exit 41. N.C. Highway 59 crosses the interstate there. It's the main gateway into the town from the east. As a professional developer, Spell believes the area has unlimited potential for growth not only in the hospitality industry but with major big box companies. "I have a vision," she said. Fayetteville Public Works Commission water and sewer are available, making Area 41 one of only two I-95 interchanges in Cumberland County equipped with utilities. The other is Exit 49 at Cedar Creek Road in Fayetteville. Also, working with the chamber of commerce, the State Department of Transportation installed half a dozen lights along the NC 59 overpass. Spell has posted a virtual flyover of Area 41 on You- Tube in hopes it will attract interested developers. "I'm a finisher," Spell emphasized. "Eighty percent of life is showing up." NEWS Hope Mills Chamber Takes the Lead by JEFF THOMPSON Jan Spell and Tiffany Aldridge JEFF THOMPSON, Senior News Reporter. COMMENTS? news@upandcomingweekly. com. 910.484.6200. Accredited by the North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation Board If you would like more information about the Cumberland County Department of Public Health's programs and services, health-related data, or community resources, please call 910-433-3600 or visit with someone at the information desk or visit our website at co.cumberland.nc.us/health.aspx#. Comments are welcome and can be submitted on our website at co.cumberland.nc.us/health/comment_form.aspx. The Health Department is located at 1235 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville. Buck Wilson, Public Health Director. 1235 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville co.cumberland.nc.us/health Cumberland County Department of Public Health Get your child's physical early! Primary care Physical examinations (includes developmental screening) Dental varnishing Hearing screening Vision screening Laboratory screening Preventive education Nutritional counseling For an appointment call Child Health Clinic at (910) 433-3600, ext.1 Child Health Clinic services Physicals Kindergarten 2823 Legion Road 7/22 - Christmas in July 7/26 - College Rivalry Night 7/28 12 th Annual Family Fun Night & Fun-Go Bobblehead Giveaway Courtesy of 96.5 BOB FM 7/29 - Gates Four Night with first 500 age 21 & over receiving a gift from Healy Wholesale! 7/22 - Christmas in July 7/26 - College Rivalry Night 7/28 12 th Annual Family Fun Night & Fun-Go Bobblehead Giveaway Courtesy of 96.5 BOB FM 7/29 - Gates Four Night with first 500 age 21 & over receiving a gift from Healy Wholesale! 7/22 - Christmas in July 7/26 - College Rivalry Night 7/28 12 th Annual Family Fun Night & Fun-Go Bobblehead Giveaway Courtesy of 96.5 BOB FM 7/29 - Gates Four Night with first 500 age 21 & over receiving a gift from Healy Wholesale! www.goswampdogs.com first pitch at 7:05 pm Gates open at 6:00 pm General Admission: Adults $7.00 - Children $6.00 - Military & Senior Discounts Available