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From the Mayor's Desk |
2009 Year in Review Edition |
Great things are happening in Fayetteville! This special Year in Review issue of the Mayor’s Fayetteville Forward newsletter highlights some of the most positive stories from the past year. Take some time to enjoy the special things that are happening in our city.
We continue to get great response on the newsletter. Please forward it to your neighbors and friends and share the good news.
You can also visit my website at www.mayorchavonne.com/newsletter to see all of the newsletters from the past year and other exciting news about our city.
Happy New Year!
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SEE, CHAT, & INTERACT...
Fayetteville Forward TV Show
9:30 PM Every Thursday
Channel 7 (Time Warner Cable)
Chat with the Mayor
WFNC 640 AM
9:00 AM on 4th Tuesday of Each Month
From the Mayor's Desk Blog
http://blogs.fayobserver.com/chavonne
Real Time Questions and Answers
Mayor's Hotline
(910) 433-1992
Contact Info:
Mayor Anthony G. Chavonne
433 Hay Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
mayor@ci.fay.nc.us
tony@mayorchavonne.com
 
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City Ranks Near Top for Jobs Outlook in Early 2010
Only two major U.S. markets have better prospects than Fayetteville for job creation in early 2010, according to Manpower Inc.’s quarterly survey of employer expectations.
The ranking is based in part on a survey showing that 19 percent of companies in the Fayetteville area say they plan to hire more workers between January and March.
Fayetteville’s overall jobs outlook is tied for third best in the country with Amarillo, Texas, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Fayetteville Home Values Lead Nation
 Home values in the Fayetteville market increased for the third straight quarter, allowing the area to retain its No. 1 ranking in the nation for appreciation, according to Zillow.com.
In the third quarter, homes in the Fayetteville metro area appreciated 10.8 percent over the same period in 2008. That ranks Fayetteville No. 1 in the United States in year-over-year appreciation. |
City Rates as Hot Spot for Vets to Retire
Fayetteville is an ideal spot for veterans to retire, according to the November/December issue of Where To Retire magazine. Fayetteville earned points because of its proximity to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, patriotic support, and cultural and recreational activities.
It is the second magazine to recently highlight Fayetteville’s assets for seniors. Retirement Lifestyles magazine’s quarterly issue, which comes out in January, describes Fayetteville as “worth a look” in North Carolina. The magazine reports more than 500,000 readers per issue.
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Fayetteville Municipal Tax Rate Among Lowest in the State
An analysis of Fayetteville’s residential real property tax rate and solid waste fee burden shows that Fayetteville’s net tax cost is lower than any of the nine largest cities in North Carolina with populations over 100,000 residents.
For a home with a tax value $100,000, Fayetteville’s city tax liability would total $494 per year. This amount is 11% lower than the average of the nine largest cities and $140 less than the highest levels in Greensboro and High Point. |
City Bond Ratings Increase
The City of Fayetteville has received increases in bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (AA- to AA+) and Moody’s, which will result in lower interest rates and savings in bond issues.
The improved rating is based on the City’s continually stable economic environment, anchored by expansion at Fort Bragg and its historically strong financial position.
The General Obligation Bond refunding saved $870,000 which includes $78,000 resulting from the City’s bond rating upgrades.
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Fayetteville Ranked as 31st Best Performing City in America
 In their annual economic performance index, the Milken Institute ranked Fayetteville the 31st Best Performing Large city in the nation. This is a jump from 52nd place last year and a leap of 131 places since 2003.
Cities in the index were ranked on how well they create and foster jobs, and the data used in the assessment reflected both long-term and short-term measurements of employment, wage/salary, and technology growth. |
Region Housing Makes 10 Most-Affordable Cities List
Coldwell Banker recently completed their annual analysis of real estate prices in the United States. At $130,875 for a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,200 square foot house, Fayetteville’s finished 3rd in the Top Ten Most-Affordable Cities list in the entire country.
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Fayetteville’s Growth in Economy Gains National Recognition
Fayetteville ranks 13th out of 366 urban areas in the United States for how much our economy grew in 2008. We continue to see a broadening of our economy from retail and manufacturing to more information and technology and government-sector jobs. |
Fayetteville Receives “Five Star” Ranking
Fayetteville was recently ranked one of the five leading cities for military retirement in the November/December issue of Where to Retire magazine. The city’s support services for the military, our location and cultural opportunities were all noted as contributing factors to the rating.
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Fayetteville Building Market Ranked High
BusinessWeek recently ranked the nation’s strongest building markets, ranking Fayetteville as the 7th highest in the nation. Building permits have increased by 12% over last year in the area.
The rest of the country is showing more modest growth averaging 2.7% during the same period. |
Region Housing Makes 10 Most-Affordable Cities List
Coldwell Banker recently completed their annual analysis of real estate prices in the United States. At $130,875 for a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2,200 square foot house, Fayetteville’s finished 3rd in the Top Ten Most-Affordable Cities list in the entire country.
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Fayetteville’s Growth in Economy Gains National Recognition
Fayetteville ranks 13th out of 366 urban areas in the United States for how much our economy grew in 2008. We continue to see a broadening of our economy from retail and manufacturing to more information and technology and government-sector jobs. |
Housing Market Top Nation
Zillow.com. a national web site that computes real estate values, has placed our housing market at the top of the nation for the past two quarters. Comparing Fayetteville’s median home value for the second quarter of 2009 to the same quarter in the previous year, our values are up 13.4 percent.
Fayetteville is the only city in the country that got above a 5 percent gain. Nationally, home values fell 12.1 percent over the past year. |
Fayetteville Recognized for Its American Values
Fayetteville ranks among the 25 cities in the country that best express American values, according to the May edition of Newsmax magazine. The publication ranked Fayetteville 14th in the country for being “uniquely American” because of Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, and its strong community support of the military. Newsmax gave the city a 10 out of 10 for “hospitality,” and a 9 for “wholesomeness.” |
Schools Show Growth in Test Results
 Cumberland County schools posted double-digit gains on several state standardized tests. The ABCs measure each school’s performance and growth. End-of-course and end-of-grade tests in elementary, middle and high school are used as a measurement.
In grades 3 to 8, overall reading jumped by 12.5 percentage points. Math scores jumped by 11.8 percent. Among North Carolina’s largest school systems, Cumberland County had the highest percentage of schools meet federal benchmarks.
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Fayetteville’s Growth in Economy Gains National Recognition
Fayetteville ranks 13th out of 366 urban areas in the United States for how much our economy grew in 2008. We continue to see a broadening of our economy from retail and manufacturing to more information and technology and government-sector jobs. |
Per Diem Rate Increases
Last fall Cumberland County’s per diem rate raised from the standard Continental United States (Conus) of $70 for lodging and $39 for meals to $85 for lodging and $49 for meals.
The 21% increase represented the largest increase in per diem reimbursements in the state. That percentage traveling on government business of the 160,000 overnight visitors to the community’s hotels each month will reimbursement the local hotels and restaurants over 20%, resulting in more income to this important part of local economy. |
First Lady Michelle Obama Salutes City for Military Support
 In a visit to downtown Fayetteville on March 12th, First Lady Michelle Obama recognized some of Fayetteville’s military support organizations, such as Fayetteville Cares. The trip marked Mrs. Obama’s third visit to Fayetteville and her first solo trip outside of Washington, D.C., since she became first lady.
“Fayetteville clearly does watch over those who watch over us,” the First Lady told the audience at the Arts Council.
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Home Values Lead Nation
 “As most of the country struggles with the worst housing slump in 70 years, maybe we could all learn from Fayetteville, N.C.” That was the lead paragraph in the May 3rd edition of Parade Magazine, a weekly supplement to hundreds of America’s Sunday newspapers.
Fayetteville is one of the places in the U.S. where housing is still appreciating. Values rose a nation-leading 6.9% in 2008, according to the property- estimation from Zillow.com, and are steady this year. Part of Fayetteville’s edge lies in its strong local economy, particularly the presence of nearby military bases that provide reliable jobs. The area also managed to avoid some of the loose lending practice that caused home prices to boom and bust on other parts of the country.
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Fayetteville Airport Volume Higher
More flights are taking off and landing at Fayetteville Regional Airport. Both airlines that serve the airport have added additional flights in the past month and expect to add even more flights by this summer.
The number of passengers departing and arriving at the airport has increased 18.7% over last year and represents the third consecutive year of double-digit increases. |
Army Chief of Staff Salutes Fayetteville
 In a visit to Fort Bragg on February 6th, the Chief of Staff of the Army recognized Fayetteville for its outstanding support of the military community and families. Several volunteers with Fayetteville Cares, Operation Homefront and Fort Bragg Army Community Service were recognized.
General George W. Casey, Jr. stated “Fayetteville has always been way ahead of the curve when it comes to taking care of our Soldiers and our families. Families are the strength of our Soldiers and our Soldiers are the strength of our Army.”
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Best Places to Locate Firms
Fayetteville has been ranked among the best mid-sized cities in which to locate a business. The city was ranked 51st among mid-sized markets in a survey by Southern Business & Development magazine.
Results were based on information from the Census Bureau, the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the National Board of Realtors and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
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In the National Spotlight
 Fayetteville has seen some very positive coverage in the national media over the past 30 days as we continue to tell our story about this special place and special time we enjoy here. Fayetteville made the front page of the Sunday, November 16th, edition of The New York Times.
 That article was followed by a full page in Time Magazine. |
Tourism Expenditures Grow 5.9%
Domestic tourism in Cumberland County generated an economic impact of $391 million 2008. We experienced the 5th highest rate of growth in the state and currently rank as the 10th highest county in overall tourism expenditures.
In the past ten years tourism expenditures have increased by 58% in Cumberland County. |
