TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cauley, MPA, Director of Economic and Community Development
DATE: May 27, 2025
RE:
Title
Authorization to Apply for ICMA Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants (EMO SA) Grant
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
GOAL I: The City of Fayetteville will be a safe and secure community.
1.3: To ensure low incidence of property and violent crime.
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.
GOAL IV: The City of Fayetteville will be a highly desirable place to live, work and recreate.
4.5: To ensure a place for people to live in great neighborhoods
4.6: To reduce poverty and homelessness
Executive Summary:
The Economic and Community Development Department is seeking City Council’s authorization to apply for a competitive grant through the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Economic Mobility and Opportunity Special Assistants (EMO SA) Program. If awarded, the City would receive up to $250,000 in salary support over 30 months, as well as up to $100,000 in supplemental program and engagement resources. The grant would support the creation or reclassification of a senior-level Special Assistant to the City’s Executive Leadership Team who will lead, coordinate, and accelerate cross-departmental and cross-sector strategies that advance economic mobility for Fayetteville residents.
Background:
This opportunity, 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 either create a new role or adapt an existing senior-level position-potentially 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.
If selected, the City will consider one of the following titles for the new or modified position:
• Senior Advisor for Economic Mobility
• Director of Economic Opportunity Initiatives
• Chief Economic Mobility Officer
• Special Assistant for Economic Advancement
• Executive Fellow for Community Prosperity
The selected title will align with internal classification structures and emphasize cross-departmental coordination and policy innovation.
Budget Impact:
If awarded, the grant will provide approximately $250,000 in salary support over 30 months and an additional $100,000 for program activities, technical assistance, and engagement processes. The City would be responsible for providing a standard employee benefits package and, if necessary, supplementing salary to align with senior-level compensation ranges.
Options:
• Authorize the Department to submit the grant application to ICMA by the May 30, 2025 deadline.
• Decline authorization, thereby forgoing this grant opportunity.
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Economic and Community Development Department to apply for the ICMA EMO Special Assistants Grant and, if selected, proceed with the hiring or reclassification of a senior-level staff member to lead the City’s economic mobility efforts.
Attachments:
• Program Fact Sheet
• Request for Applications (RFA) Summary
• Frequently Asked Questions