Fayetteville State University

* Member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The EDA University Center at Fayetteville State University (FSU) will leverage University expertise to enable accelerated growth in output and jobs. Such support empowers businesses navigating changing market conditions, pursuing new opportunities, and improving resiliency. To help underserved segments of distressed communities access opportunities, there will be a particular focus on collaborating with community partners to identify and connect contractors with historic levels of construction activity to be taking place over the next 3-5 years at FSU and throughout Cumberland County (over $150 million at FSU alone). The University Center will be the driving force in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub operations—a stand-alone, accessible space, housing entrepreneurial support activities currently located separately on campus and in Fayetteville. The primary focus will be on promoting small business growth in a six-county region where the level of economic prosperity has been significantly lower than state and national averages. Further, the University Center will be leveraging UNC Chapel Hill resources and other partners to drive improved capacity of under-represented contractors throughout economically challenged eastern North Caroline to secure and implement major construction contracts at FSU and Cumberland County. The Center will also conduct applied research to build the ecosystem.