Joe McGee

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

My top three priorities for enhancing economic growth are: first, an honest assessment and accountability;
second, attracting new industries and preparing our workforce; and third, supporting small businesses and
entrepreneurs. First, I will begin with an honest assessment. The proverbial “because we always did it that
way,” also known as tradition, has to be retired. Because of the diversity of Fayetteville, home to the largest
military installation in America, holding on to hometown tradition instead of embracing innovation keeps us
from thinking forward and maximizing inclusivity. I will push for the city to take inventory of what we are
already doing to promote economic growth. That means reviewing our existing initiatives, incentives, and
partnerships and asking the tough questions: What is working? What is not? Where are we seeing results,
and where are we wasting resources? I will also put a focus on local contractors and proven contracting
partners who have delivered results and are invested in giving jobs to local residents. Second, I will focus on
attracting new industries and jobs. Fayetteville is uniquely positioned with a diverse population that includes
highly trained military veterans and a growing civilian workforce. I will advocate for courting industries like
technology, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, while also making sure large employers who are already
here feel supported and valued. Third, I will champion small businesses and entrepreneurs. Fayetteville has
been nationally recognized for leading the nation in Black-owned businesses, a confirmation of our city’s
diversity and a testament to the creativity and resilience of our citizens. I will work to build on that strength
by making Fayetteville friendlier for startups, streamlining city processes, cutting unnecessary red tape, and
encouraging buy local campaigns so dollars stay in our community. I will also explore increasing the number
of inspectors so new businesses can be approved and opened faster, allowing them to start contributing to
our tax base and strengthening our economy. These three priorities of accountability, industry growth, and
small business support will give Fayetteville a clear and common sense path to stronger economic growth.

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

The most pressing issues in Fayetteville are crime, economic opportunity, and housing and mental health.
First, I will work to improve public safety. My focus will be on prevention, opportunity, and accountability.
Prevention means expanding mentoring programs for youth and young parents. Opportunity means creating
more chances for law enforcement and the community to interact before crises, not only during them.
Accountability means taking violent crime seriously while also expanding support for mental health and
addiction services that often drive crime. Second, I will expand economic opportunity. Fayetteville has been
recognized for having one of the highest percentages of Black owned businesses, and I will build on that
strength. I will support small businesses, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development so
veterans and young people alike can step into good paying jobs. Third, I will address housing and mental
health. Too many families still struggle with affordable housing or lack access to the care they need. I will
work with council, local organizations, and state leaders to expand these resources and make sure they
reach the people who need them most. These issues are connected, and I will focus on solutions that make
Fayetteville safer, stronger, and more stable for every resident.

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

What makes me the best candidate to represent District 9 is simple, I love Fayetteville and I have proven that
love through more than 30 years of service. I am a father, grandfather, business owner, and community
advocate who has built programs that support families, veterans, small businesses, churches, and youth. I
have organized hurricane relief efforts, health awareness events, Black History programs, and community
workshops, always bringing people together for a positive purpose. While I have not served on boards, I have
been doing the real work in the street and with the community. From the advice of my daughter, she said
“Daddy, show your receipts.” I have over 30 years of third party acknowledgment of my community
advocacy, including Proclamations from mayors in other cities as well as from our own local mayors. I
received the most prestigious placement in any newspaper, above the fold, and I encourage everyone to visit
VoteJoeMcGee.com to see decades of coverage, from the Fayetteville Observer to MSNBC’s Rachel
Maddow Show to WTVD-11. My mantra is simple, and I challenge all to follow: People talk about what ‘they’
need to do. I AM THEY.