James L. Thomas III

What are your top three priorities for enhancing economic growth opportunities throughout the city?

1. Supporting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Small businesses are the backbone of Fayetteville’s
economy, and strengthening them is essential for job creation and neighborhood revitalization. Too often,
entrepreneurs face barriers such as limited access to capital, confusing permitting processes, and lack of
technical support. To address this, I will push for city-backed grants and low-interest loan programs, expand
technical assistance for startups, and streamline the city’s permitting system so that opening or expanding a
business is simple and efficient. Additionally, I want to prioritize local hiring and contracting whenever
possible. When Fayetteville invests in its own businesses and workforce, we not only create jobs but also
ensure that tax dollars circulate back into the community.

2. Workforce Development and Job Training To grow our economy, we need a workforce that is prepared for
the jobs of today and tomorrow. This means stronger partnerships with Fayetteville Technical Community
College, trade schools, and local nonprofits to expand workforce training and apprenticeships. By focusing on
high-growth sectors like technology, clean energy, logistics, and healthcare, we can equip residents with the
skills needed for stable, high-paying careers. At the same time, I will advocate for more youth workforce
readiness programs to give young people pathways into meaningful employment, reducing the risk of
violence by replacing idle time with opportunity. Workforce development isn’t just about job skills it’s about
building confidence, stability, and long-term economic security for families.

3. Infrastructure and Digital Equity Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. Fayetteville must
address stalled or unfinished projects, repair critical roadways, and modernize utilities to remain competitive.
But in today’s economy, digital infrastructure is just as important as physical. Too many families and
businesses in District 1 and beyond lack reliable internet access, which limits access to education,
employment, and entrepreneurship. I will advocate for expanding broadband access, creating public Wi-Fi
hubs, and investing in digital literacy programs so residents have the tools they need to thrive. I also support
adopting CivicPlus, a platform widely used by other municipalities to improve accountability and
transparency. CivicPlus can provide public dashboards where residents track project timelines, budgets, and
progress. This would prevent costly delays, improve trust, and demonstrate that Fayetteville is serious about
efficiency and accountability. Reliable infrastructure both physical and digital makes Fayetteville more
attractive for investors while directly improving residents’ quality of life.

What are the most pressing issues facing the City of Fayetteville? How will you work to solve them?

1. Youth Violence and Public Safety Fayetteville is at a turning point when it comes to youth violence. Too
many victims and suspects are young people, and I’ve personally lost friends to this crisis. But we are not
without solutions. By strengthening programs like Operation Ceasefire, PROOVE, and the Office of Community
Safety (OCS), we can make them more mentorship-driven, trauma-informed, and accountable to the
community. These programs can become true hubs for collaboration between law enforcement and
neighborhoods, similar to Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, which cut homicides by 26%. I will
also push to expand after-school programs, workforce readiness, and safe spaces so our youth have positive
alternatives.

2. Housing and Homelessness Affordable housing and homelessness are among Fayetteville’s biggest
challenges, highlighted by crises like the Regency Inn displacement. I believe the city must provide more
wraparound services that connect people to housing, counseling, and job placement, while also investing in
long-term affordable housing solutions. I strongly support facilities like the Fay Cares Resource Center, which
provides vital resources such as transportation assistance, shelter connections, and support services. As a
councilman, I would work to expand and strengthen Fay Cares so more residents can access the help they
need to get back on their feet. With better coordination and investment, Fayetteville can build a stronger
safety net for its most vulnerable.

3. Infrastructure and Accountability Residents deserve to see their tax dollars at work. Stalled projects like
the Mazarick Park Tennis Center and Fire Station No. 4 show where oversight has failed. To fix this, I will push
to fill vacancies in the city’s construction management division, implement a contractor pre-qualification
system, and adopt platforms like CivicPlus, which would allow residents to track project progress, budgets,
and deadlines through public dashboards. Transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of growth.

4. Mental Health Services Mental health is directly tied to many of the issues Fayetteville faces—youth
violence, addiction, and homelessness. Right now, too many residents don’t have access to affordable care. I
will work to expand partnerships with providers, advocate for additional state and federal resources, and
ensure that programs like OCS integrate mental health and trauma care into their work. Stronger mental
health support means stronger families and safer neighborhoods. Fayetteville has challenges, but we also
have momentum.

With smart investments, transparency, and community-centered leadership, we can turn today’s struggles into
tomorrow’s successes.

What makes you the best candidate to represent the City of Fayetteville?

I believe I am the best candidate to represent District 1 because I combine deep roots in Fayetteville,
professional preparation, and lived experience that connects directly to the challenges our community
faces. I was born and raised here, educated in our local schools, Howard Hall Elementary, Pine Forest
Middle, and Pine Forest High, and I’ve seen firsthand both the strengths of our neighborhoods and the
struggles that too many families endure.

From an early age, I dedicated myself to service. As a counselor-in-training with Cumberland County
Parks and Recreation and later as Vice Chair of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council, I learned
the value of mentorship, leadership, and listening to the community. I carried that spirit forward
through my work with organizations like Fayetteville PACT, where I advocated for public safety and
accountability, and through my fellowship and internship experiences with MDC, NC BLOC, and
Microsoft, where I worked on funding strategies, community engagement, and data-driven solutions.
These opportunities gave me a unique skill set that blends local knowledge with professional expertise.

But beyond titles or credentials, what drives me is personal experience. I’ve lost friends to gun violence,
I’ve seen family members struggle with addiction, and I currently have loved ones navigating
homelessness. These struggles aren’t abstract issues for me—they’re real, lived realities that fuel my
determination to make change. This perspective ensures that when I speak on housing, public safety,
or youth development, I speak not just as a policymaker but as someone who understands the stakes.

On City Council, my focus will be on turning challenges into opportunities. For youth empowerment, I
will strengthen programs like PROOVE, Operation Ceasefire, and OCS with mentorship, trauma-
informed care, and community oversight. For infrastructure and accountability, I will push to fill
oversight vacancies, adopt tools like CivicPlus to give residents transparent access to project updates,
and prioritize local hiring so our people are the ones building our future. For housing and
homelessness, I will support facilities like Fay Cares, expand wraparound services, and advocate for
affordable housing on city-owned land. And for economic growth, I will champion small businesses,
workforce development, and digital equity so opportunity reaches every resident.

What makes me the best candidate is simple: I know District 1 because I am District 1. I bring the
experience of growing up here, the preparation of professional and academic training, and the heart of
someone who has lived the same struggles my neighbors face. My vision is rooted in the belief that it
takes a village to raise our children and strengthen our community and I am committed to building that
village together.