TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cauley, MPA, Director of Economic and Community Development
DATE: August 11, 2025
RE:
Title
Accept and Authorize the Execution of an ICMA Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants Grant end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
GOAL II: The City of Fayetteville will have a Responsive City Government supporting a diverse and viable economy.
2.1: To ensure a diverse City tax base.
2.2: To invest in community places to ensure revitalization and increase quality of life.
2.3: To leverage partnerships for job creation and retention, with a focus on the local and regional workforce to increase per capita income.
2.4: To sustain a favorable development climate to encourage business growth.
Executive Summary:
City Council is asked to accept and authorize the City Manager to execute a grant award from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for its Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants (EMO SA) Program.
The City will receive $250,000 in salary support over 30 months, as well as $104,000 in supplemental program and engagement resources. The grant would support the creation of a senior-level Special Projects Manager who will lead, coordinate, and accelerate cross-departmental and cross-sector strategies that advance economic mobility for Fayetteville residents.
Background:
This competitive grant program, funded by the Gates Foundation and administered by ICMA, aims to support local governments in hiring senior-level professionals who will champion holistic and sustained economic mobility strategies. The EMO SA will work across departments and in partnership with the community to co-design implementation plans that address workforce development, housing affordability, household financial security, and other key determinants of upward mobility. The position must report directly to executive leadership and will receive technical assistance, professional development, and coaching facilitated by ICMA as part of a nationwide cohort.
Issues/Analysis:
Fayetteville has made significant strides in improving community and economic development outcomes, but persistent challenges-including concentrated poverty, housing cost burdens, and limited intergenerational economic mobility-remain. The EMO SA program offers a rare opportunity to dedicate focused leadership capacity toward overcoming these challenges in a coordinated and equitable manner. The grant will allow the City to temporarily create a new role within the Economic and Community Development Department-to serve as a dedicated EMO lead, reporting to the Assistant City Manager. This investment aligns with both internal priorities and external partnerships focused on improving resident outcomes.
Budget Impact:
The grant will provide $250,000 in salary support over 30 months and an additional $104,000 for program activities, technical assistance, and engagement processes. The City will be responsible for providing a standard employee benefits package and, if necessary, supplementing salary to align with senior-level compensation ranges. This match is currently estimated at $150,000 and an appropriation action will be brought back to council at an upcoming meeting.
Options:
• Accept the grant award and authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement for the ICMA EMO Special Assistants Grant.
• Do not accept the grant award or authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement for the ICMA EMO Special Assistants Grant.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council move to accept the grant award and authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement for the ICMA EMO Special Assistants Grant.
Attachments:
Program Fact Sheet
ICMA EMO Special Assistants Grant Agreement