Kathy Keefe Jensen 

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

Fayetteville has the potential to be a leader in our regional economy, but we cannot afford to fall further behind our neighbors. That is why economic development and growth must remain a fixed priority. To succeed, we must invest in public safety, support small businesses and workforce development, and strengthen our partnerships with Fort Bragg while pursuing smart growth strategies that work for every neighborhood.

1. Public Safety

Public safety is the foundation of economic growth in any city. Businesses will not invest and families will not stay if they do not feel secure. As Mayor, I will continue supporting Chief Bryant’s efforts to leverage technology to keep our neighborhoods safe and to do more with less. A safe community not only protects residents, but also builds investor confidence and makes Fayetteville a more attractive city for growth.

I have also supported initiatives like the youth protective ordinance to keep kids safe—not to criminalize them, but to ensure they are not in harm’s way. I have advocated for our schools to establish their own safety department, like Moore and Mecklenburg counties, so children can learn in a secure environment. A safe Fayetteville is the foundation for a stronger Fayetteville.

2. Supporting Small Businesses and Workforce Development

As a small business owner, I understand that small businesses are the heart of our economy, powering our downtown and neighborhood corridors and giving Fayetteville its unique character. I am committed to making it easier to start and grow a business here by cutting red tape, streamlining city processes, and pursuing local policies that support entrepreneurship. City government should be a partner, not a barrier.

At the same time, our workforce must be prepared for tomorrow’s jobs. Fayetteville State University, Methodist University, and Fayetteville Technical Community College are vital partners in training the next generation. By expanding collaborations with these institutions—particularly in high-demand fields—we can create stronger career pipelines, keep more talent here at home, and make Fayetteville a magnet for new businesses and industries.

3. Military Partnerships, Housing, and Smart Growth

Fort Bragg is our largest economic engine, and Fayetteville must remain a place where military families and veterans choose to live, work, and raise their children. Strengthening this relationship brings new talent and opportunities that benefit every resident. For neighborhoods near the base, that means safe streets, good housing, and family-friendly amenities.

At the same time, different parts of Fayetteville need different strategies for growth. In our downtown core, we must attract young professionals with affordable housing and vibrant amenities. In our suburban neighborhoods, we must ensure families can find safe, attainable homes through programs like the Homebuying Hero initiative. Across the city, investments in trails, recreation, and activities that help us compete with our neighbors is critical to keeping us growing and not falling behind.

Economic growth is not just about numbers—it is about building a city where this generation and the next want to keep calling home. By investing in safety, supporting small businesses and workforce development, and strengthening our partnerships with Fort Bragg while pursuing smart growth, we will secure Fayetteville’s place as a regional leader—a city where families can live, work, and thrive for generations to come.

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

Fayetteville is at a crossroads. To grow and thrive, we must tackle our most pressing challenges head-on: infrastructure, attainable and affordable housing, workforce development, and youth crime. These issues are connected, and solving them will determine whether Fayetteville leads in our region or continues to fall behind.

Infrastructure - North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, but Fayetteville has not kept pace. To compete, we must make bold decisions on infrastructure. That means expanding countywide water and sewer to support new housing and job growth. It also means having site-ready land — with water, sewer, and electric in place — to attract businesses that want to invest here. Cities to our west are landing higher-wage jobs because they are ready; Fayetteville must be in that circle of opportunity.

Housing - Growth depends on housing that families and young professionals can afford. Less than two years ago, we established a United Development Ordinance review committee to modernize rules that were holding us back. For years, Fayetteville had some of the strictest ordinances in the state, discouraging investment. By updating these regulations, we are creating opportunities for new housing — including high-rise apartments and developments that include attainable and workforce housing. These changes will help attract young professionals and keep them here to live, work, and raise families.

Workforce Development - Fayetteville cannot grow without a skilled workforce. Partnering with Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State University, Cumberland County Schools, nonprofits, and churches, we can expand job training and education pipelines that connect our residents to good-paying jobs. Economic growth, quality of life, and public safety all rely on a strong workforce — and we must prepare our people for the opportunities ahead.

Youth Crime and Opportunity - When I was first elected 12 years ago, I revived the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council, giving young people a voice and a path forward. Every student who has participated has gone on to higher education. That’s the kind of investment that changes lives. As Mayor, I will strengthen partnerships across schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand youth programs and create safe spaces after school.

I also recognize that youth crime is tied to deeper issues like mental health. With a nationwide shortage of counselors, Fayetteville must do more to recruit professionals and support families. I will work to direct opioid settlement funds toward expanding youth mental health services, giving our children the help and hope they need.

Infrastructure, housing, workforce development, and youth safety are not separate issues — they are threads every communities fabric. By addressing them together, we can help ensure Fayetteville moves forward.

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

Fayetteville is my home. I was born and raised here, graduated from high school here, and chose to come back after my husband’s military service because I love this city. I know our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses, and our people. That’s why I’m running for mayor: to continue building a Fayetteville where families feel safe and where opportunity is growing for our kids and grandkids. As a small business owner, I’ve seen both the challenges and the promise of economic growth in our community. In 2005, I started An Affair to Remember, a shop that has grown into a respected local and nationally known business. Owning a store—especially during Covid—taught me resilience, problem-solving, and what it takes to keep a business running through both good times and hard times. Those lessons guide me every day in public service, and they shape my vision for how Fayetteville can better support business communities. Since 2013, I’ve had the honor of serving on the Fayetteville City Council, including two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. During that time, I’ve worked with others to secure $61 million in grants to modernize Fayetteville Regional Airport, pass a $35 million parks and recreation bond to deliver new splash pads, senior centers, and green spaces, and expand broadband access that earned us the distinction of being a Gigabit City. These are not abstract policy victories—they are visible, lasting improvements that make Fayetteville stronger and more competitive. I also know that our city’s role as the “largest neighbor to the largest military installation” is one of our greatest strengths. I’ve worked to ensure Fayetteville uses this unique position to secure resources and partnerships other communities cannot. Through my service on state and federal committees, I’ve built trusted relationships with military leaders and our congressional delegation. When I walk the halls of our nation’s capital, I am often introduced as the representative of the “largest neighbor to the largest military installation.” That recognition matters—it means our voice is heard. These partnerships are already paying off. For example, Fayetteville now handles solid waste on Fort Bragg, generating about $1 million for our general fund each year and creating jobs for local residents. Learning from other military host cities, I’ve identified additional opportunities we had not been pursuing, and we are now exploring contracts that could grow our workforce and expand our economy. At the end of the day, it’s all about relationships, and I’ve put in the work to reestablish and grow them—because that’s what it takes to lead a city like ours. As mayor, my priorities are clear. Public safety must remain front and center—every resident deserves to live in a neighborhood where they feel secure and their children are protected. But I also know that if our economy isn’t growing, it’s falling behind. Fayetteville must focus on expanding opportunities not only to attract talent but to keep families and workers here. That means supporting our existing small businesses, and using our unique strengths—our military neighbors, our community college, and our universities—to attract new investment and plan strategically for the future. By pairing strong public safety with bold economic growth, we can make Fayetteville a city where businesses prosper, jobs are created, and families choose to stay. And by keeping our commitment to quality-of-life investments, like our trails and parks and affordable housing options for everyone, we ensure Fayetteville isn’t just a place where businesses want to invest, but a city where families want to raise the next generation. I love this city because it raised me, and I raised my family here. I don’t just talk about Fayetteville—I live it every single day. My lifelong roots, business experience, public service, and forward-looking vision make me uniquely prepared to lead our city as Fayetteville’s next mayor.