New opportunity arrives for Fayetteville's Reservists, spouses

Helping Reservists and their spouses find jobs in Fayetteville, North Carolina - that is the goal of a historic partnership between the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and the U.S. Army Reserve Command’s Private Public Partnership Office.

Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) recently signed a proclamation of partnership with the U.S. Army Reserve CoFayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation

This type of partnership is the first in the nation regarding economic development.

The FCEDC will assist soldiers and families in overcoming barriers to obtain meaningful employment or education opportunities to support mission readiness goals, enhance their financial stability, and create connections with the community. P30 will work to ensure that Army Reserve soldiers are succeeding in their civilian careers.

P3O Director Alecia Grady and Robert Van Geons, President and CEO of FCEDC, signed the proclamation on June 16.

“I can’t think of a more fitting partnership,” Van Geons said, “This will enable us to continue to build, bridge, and create an ongoing collaborative conversation here. I think we can do incredible things together, positively impacting the lives of our Reservists and their families.”

Many Reservists are either unemployed or under-employed. Grady says she is glad that they are creating hiring programs for reservists, so they do not get overlooked.

“For us, it’s important that we are shifting the narrative to the fact that we have currently serving soldiers who need jobs,” she said. “How do we help facilitate that other than these great partnerships?”

Rob Patton, Executive Vice President of FCEDC, said that though the partnership is the first, it is certain to lead to future partnerships with other economic development organizations.

“This is a big day for all of us,” Patton said. “We’re very honored to be a part of this, but also, I’m humbled to know that we are the first EDO to be an official partner with the Army Reserves. Some of the unsung heroes in the United States military are the Reservists. That is an extremely tough job—balancing family life, personal life, work-life, and then that other thing called the Army.”

According to the https://fayedc.com/industry-support/, the Department of Defense and the military make up the largest employers for Cumberland County and Fayetteville.