TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Dr. Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM: Robert Van Geons, FCEDC President and CEO
DATE: June 8, 2026
RE:Title
Project Odesa Public Hearing
Title
end
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All City Council Districts, 1 - 9
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal III - City Investment in Today and Tomorrow (Project Odesa would create 162 jobs paying an average annual wage of $70,759. This project would inject more than $11.4 million in annual payroll into our community. The positive impact this company would have on our local economy cannot be overstated.
Goal IV - City is a desirable place to live, work, & recreate Project Odesa would create a significant number of jobs paying above the Cumberland County’s average annual wage of $49,382, with a lowest starting salary expected to be $50,000. This would allow more Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents to secure higher paying jobs, resulting in an improved quality of life.
Executive Summary:
Project Odesa is considering Fayetteville and Cumberland County for its headquarters, manufacturing plant, and distribution center for its Unmanned Aerial Systems. The project is considering other sites in multiple states. Incentives have been requested from the City and County to reaffirm our commitment to Project Odesa and demonstrate that our community is the right location for this project, and a public hearing has been called to approve or deny those incentives.
Background:
This Project would create 162 jobs in Fayetteville. The average salary for these jobs is projected at $70,759, exceeding the Cumberland County average. Capital investment in phase one is expected to be $3.4 million.
Project Odesa is considering a 28,479 square-foot building for its operations, located at 223 Dedication Drive.
The project would utilize this site to manufacture unmanned aerial systems, distributing the finished product to the end user globally.
Project Odesa is requesting a job creation incentive grant from both the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Paid on a pro-rata basis, as jobs are created, in three installments, the company would receive a total of $121,500 from the City. A similar request has been made to the County.
Issues/Analysis:
If successfully secured, the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County would benefit from the tax revenue generated by the facility, economic activity stimulated by its investment, and wages paid to the employees.
Project Odesa is expected to invest $3.4 million in real and personal property, generating an estimated $132,017 in City Tax Revenue over a ten-year period. The company is projected to pay an average annual salary of $70,759, adding more than $11.4 million in annual payroll to our community. In addition, the economic activity generated by the project will also support 159 indirect and induced jobs, as well as $26 million in increased economic output.
Our local educational institutions, including FTCC, Fayetteville State University, and Methodist University, have programs in place to produce workforce talent that is well-prepared for critical careers in manufacturing, distribution, operations, and more.
Budget Impact:
Project Odesa will positively benefit the City’s tax base by generating new property and sales tax revenue, while increasing local employment and earnings. The project will create a significant investment in real estate and equipment in the City of Fayetteville, with a phase one capital investment expected to be $3.4 million. We anticipate the first incentive payment will occur in FY28.
Options:
Option 1: Approve the requested incentive grant to be paid on a pro-rata basis in three installments.
Option 2: Deny the request for incentives to support Project Odesa.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
We are requesting that the City of Fayetteville approve the job creation grant as presented for Project Odesa.
end
Attachments:
PowerPoint presentation