Fayetteville State University launches 'first-of-its-kind' entrepreneur and business hub

Fayetteville State University officially opened a business facility focused on innovation and entrepreneurship Wednesday.

The Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business Hub are in a 6,500-square-foot building at Bronco Square, across Murchison Road from FSU’s main campus. FSU, Fayetteville, and Cumberland County officials participated in a ceremony to signify the facility’s start of operations.

The hub will be the “first of its kind,” according to a statement released by FSU officials. It is expected to help entrepreneurs and established business owners, the statement said.

Among the goals are to help businesses improve how they operate, gain access to professional training, and secure funding, the statement said. Business owners also will be able to get certifications to help get access to new opportunities. 

 The facility has open workspaces and conference rooms for students and community members. Equipment such as laptops and 3-D printers also will be available, according to the statement.

'There isn't anything quite like this':Hub for Fayetteville entrepreneurs coming soon

The hub also will provide consultations with FSU faculty members, workshops to teach business skills workshops, entrepreneurial summits, opportunities to gain experiential learning opportunities, and internships for students, the statement said.

The business hub will serve Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland counties, according to the statement. It will provide its services at no charge.

FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison said the hub exemplifies the school’s commitment to strengthening and expanding the economic vitality of Fayetteville and the surrounding region.

“It further demonstrates the collective investment of our local governments and private philanthropy partners in building a robust economic engine here at home,” he said. “But this is just the beginning; we anticipate adding additional resources and partnerships in the future.” 

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The Golden Leaf Foundation provided a grant of $200,000 to FSU’s Broadwell School of Business and Economics to support the planning and launching of the hub. The aim is to increase minority-owned businesses and potentially drive significant income growth in minority communities, according to the statement.  

Since the grant was received in 2020, more than $2.5 million has been committed to the effort including investments from FSU, the North Carolina state legislature, Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville, the statement said.  

Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said the city now has a “one-stop shop” where small businesses can get the support they need.

“Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of our new economy,” he said. 

Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com.