FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – On March 17, in the Historic Courthouse, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere delivered the 2026 State of the County Address, outlining a vision centered on community partnership, strategic investment, and shared responsibility.
Framed as a “military mission brief,” the Address emphasized progress built through collaboration between residents, government, and community partners.
“Tonight, I am presenting your mission brief. Not mine. Not the Board’s. Yours. Because the mission ahead belongs to all of us.”
Clean Water & Infrastructure
Delivering safe, reliable water for every family.
Chairman deViere highlighted major progress in addressing PFAS contamination and expanding access to safe drinking water to include:
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Filtration systems installed at two Grays Creek elementary schools
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Accelerated construction of a water system in impacted areas
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More than $260 million committed to water infrastructure
“Clean water is not a luxury. It is a right, and we will deliver it.”
Education & Workforce
Building pathways from the classroom to a career.
For the first time over 15 years, the Board fully funded the school system’s budget request, investing over $500 million in education, maintenance, and new construction.
The County is also strengthening workforce pipelines through partnerships with FTCC, Fayetteville State University, and Cape Fear Valley Health.
“A diploma is not the finish line. It is the starting line.”
Caring for Our Unhoused Community
Meeting needs with compassion, coordination, and action.
Cumberland County continues to expand efforts to address homelessness, including:
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Expanded emergency shelter capacity, including cold-weather and permanent beds
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Millions invested in nonprofit partners providing direct services
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Ongoing coordination to ensure residents have access to support
“We are no longer just talking about homelessness. We are doing something about it.”
Mental & Behavioral Health
Expanding access to care and crisis response.
Through partnerships with Alliance Health and Cape Fear Valley Health, the County is increasing access to mental health services to include:
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Expanded behavioral health programs
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Post-Overdose Response Team funding
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Integration of mental health professionals into 911 response
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Planned Behavioral Health Urgent Care center
“When someone calls in crisis, a trained professional will be there. Help, not handcuffs.”
Public Safety
Creating faster, smarter emergency response.
The County is committed to moving forward with the consolidation the City and County 911 centers. That plan includes:
“One system with one mission; faster, smarter protection for you and your family.”
Military Community
Honoring service and supporting military families.
Recognizing Fort Bragg as a central part of the community, the County continues to invest in military-connected initiatives like:
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Soldiers-to-agriculture program
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Childcare and workforce partnerships
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Strong collaboration with Fort Bragg leadership
“Supporting our military community is not a talking point. It is a daily obligation.”
Quality of Life
Creating places where people want to live, work, and stay.
The County is investing in amenities that strengthen community pride and quality of life to include:
“A great community invests in the places where families gather and memories are made.”
Economic Growth & Innovation
Positioning Cumberland County for the future.
Through the Innovation Corridor, the County is advancing opportunities in areas such as:
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Defense technology
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Cybersecurity
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Artificial intelligence
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Workforce development
Additional efforts include economic corridors around the Fayetteville Regional Airport and Crown Complex, and an Infrastructure Summit to align regional growth.
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
Investing in the future while keeping costs low.
Cumberland County reduced its tax rate to the lowest level in more than 20 years while continuing to make historic and strategic investments. Enhanced transparency efforts include:
“That is not a political achievement. It is a community achievement.”
Vision 2030
A roadmap for the future of Cumberland County.
Chairman deViere outlined a vision for Cumberland County to become a national model for military-connected community development by 2030, with a focus on:
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Clean water access
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Strong education and workforce systems
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Expanded mental health services
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Economic growth and innovation
“That is not a dream. That is a plan.”
Telling Our Story
Defining Cumberland County by its character and commitment.
After outlining key investments and priorities, Chairman deViere brought the message back to a broader reflection on Cumberland County’s identity and future.
“For too long, other people have told our story for us. They have tried to define us by our challenges instead of our character. By what we lack instead of what we build. Tonight, we are telling our own story. And our story is this: We are a community that fights for its water, funds its schools, takes care of its veterans, shows up for its neighbors in crisis, invests in its children, and still finds a way to keep money in your pocket. This is Cumberland County. And it is time the rest of this state heard it.”
Closing Message
One mission. One community. Forward.
Chairman deViere concluded by emphasizing the role of residents in shaping the County’s future.
“You are the formation. And the mission has never been clearer. One mission. One community. Forward. Together, we will.”
Visit the County’s YouTube Channel to watch the State of the County Address.
For more information about Cumberland County Government, visit cumberlandcountync.gov, download the MyCCNCGov app or follow CCNCGOV on social media.