Up & Coming Weekly

Chairmansspeaks peaks A Season of Growth and Sadness Spring is a wonder- ful time of growth and renewal. Growth like The Partnership for Defense Innovation moving into the Mili- tary Business Park. Growth like informa- tion technology grow- ing 22 percent last year in Fayetteville while the Research Triangle declined. Growth like all of the incoming defense contractors. In April, we will host the incoming FORSECOM/RESERVECOM fed- eral workers and their families during Business ssSpotlightSpotlight The Strategic Alliance of Business Re- the Dogwood Festival. What a great time to show off Fayetteville. We have also attended a lot of ribbon cuttings for small businesses in our community. They are the backbone of our Chamber. On a somber note, I am saddened by the passing of our friend Linda Lee Allan. Linda worked harder than anyone I know to make this a great community. A past chairman of the Chamber and the Economic Development Corpora- tion, she contributed tirelessly to our great community in many organizations. Tommy Bolton and Ralph Huff eulo- gized her great life very well on Sunday, March 28, at Highland Presbyterian SABRE Kick-off Announced The Strategic Alliance of Business sources for Entrepreneurs (SABRE) invites you to an exciting program that can help you gain valuable information on: · Business plans · Government contracting · Business loans · Doing business with the city · Marketing and networking opportunities Keynote speakers include Dr. Moham- med Bhuiyan, Endowed Professor of Entre- preneurship, Fayetteville State University; Douglas S. Peters, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce; and Mayor Antho- ny G. Chavonne, City of Fayetteville. Resources for Entrepreneurs (SABRE) of Cumberland County is a coalition of gov- ernment supported, not-for-profi t organiza- tions whose mission is to help you create and grow successful businesses in the area. Starting, managing, and growing a business has always been a challenging and sometimes confusing process. It is especial- ly diffi cult in these economic circumstances, and entrepreneurs are seeking assistance more than ever. Fortunately, there are several profes- sional, no-fee resources available to you in the Fayetteville-Fort Bragg-Cumberland Church. I couldn’t help but note that this was only five days after our ribbon cutting for our new Chamber location in the former Highland Presbyterian man- sion built in 1900. I am sure that Linda would be proud of our new location and it’s history. Linda was also very active in pro- moting women in business. At one time, she employed only women. As a tribute to her, I will ask the Chamber board to rename the Athena Award in her honor. She is also a past recipient of this very prestigious award. Hoping that you and your family have a wonderful and safe spring. County area to help with these issues and many more. The goal of SABRE of Cumberland County is to make it easier for individuals and small businesses to access the resources most suited to their particular needs. We have outlined the types of services avail- able to those interested in starting their own business and to those already operating small businesses so they may make the best decision as to which organization(s) are in the best position to help them. For more information, go to the SA- BRE of Cumberland County Web site www.sabre-cc.com/default.aspx. 14 UCW APRIL 7-13, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The The

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