Fayetteville 2026
Small Business Landscape

• ·  Rankings: Fayetteville is recognized as a top 10 small city for veteran entrepreneurs in 2025/2026.

·  Military Impact: The area ranks No. 1 in North Carolina for government-contracting work, providing specialized opportunities for local businesses.

·  Challenges: Local businesses face high competition from online retailers, a need for increased local support, and impacts from federal government shutdowns.

·  Growth & Development: A new $4.6 million manufacturing facility is under development in Fayetteville, expected to create 72 new jobs.

·  Support & Resources: The City of Fayetteville's Economic & Community Development (ECD) department is actively surveying local businesses in early 2026 to tailor support for expansion

North Carolina 2026
Small Business Trends

·  Confidence & Expansion: About 74% of North Carolina small business owners expect revenue increases in 2026, and nearly 60% plan to expand their operations.

·  National Trends in NC: 94% of small business owners surveyed for 2026 project growth, though inflation (31%) and cash flow (29%) remain top challenges.

·  AI Adoption: 56% of small businesses are utilizing AI, with 87% of those users reporting a positive impact, primarily in marketing.

·  Economic Outlook: Service-providing industries like Health Care, Food Services, and Real Estate are expected to see the strongest growth in NC through 2026.

·  Lending: 74% of small businesses are turning to non-bank lenders for faster access to capital, rather than traditional banks.