TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jodi Phelps, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Robert Van Geons, President & CEO, FCEDC
DATE: August 24, 2026
RE:Title
Public Hearing to Award Round 2 Can Do Performance Financing Program Funding
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 2 - The City of Fayetteville will have a Responsive City Government supporting a diverse and viable economy.
Goal 3 - The City of Fayetteville will be a city invested in Today and Tomorrow
Goal 4 - Continue the City’s Commitment to revitalization efforts.
Executive Summary:
FCEDC launched the Can Do Performance Financing Program in partnership with the City of Fayetteville and the Community Development Foundation (CDF) in January 2025. This program addresses historical barriers to capital that has limited the growth of sustainable businesses within Fayetteville’s low- to moderate-income census tracts, especially those that are minority-, veteran-, and woman-owned. This program supports many of the City’s goals, including supporting a diverse procurement pool and a viable economy. In June 2025, two companies were awarded funds for a combined total of $425,000 to create 17 jobs.
As the second round of the program concludes, FCEDC is advancing the next recommended award for Council consideration. One company has qualified to receive funds from the Can Do Performance Financing Program in the initial application cycle. Carlos Godwin of Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, LLC has requested $125,000 to create five jobs. We respectfully submit this request for City Council approval. Upon approval, the candidate will enter into an Incentive Agreement detailing project terms and performance conditions. If all requirements are met, the company will have no repayment obligations.
Background:
The Can Do Performance Financing Program was established with $2.5 million from the City of Fayetteville and $2.5 million from the State of North Carolina. The program offers patient financing for eligible businesses operating within a Qualifying Census Tract (QCT) in the City of Fayetteville. If program requirements are met by awarded businesses, the funds will not have to be repaid.
To qualify, businesses must have 15 or fewer employees and demonstrate viable plans for job creation and capital uses. Priority consideration is extended to companies operating within the aerospace, technology, defense, and cybersecurity sectors.
Program requirements include:
• Operation as an established, for-profit business in a QCT
• Creation of at least five full-time jobs
• Pay full-time wages at least 10% above the local average for the classification
• At least 60% of new hires must be from low- to moderate-income households
• Achievement of 50% of job creation within 18 months, and 100% within five years
• Maximum of $25,000 per job and $750,000 per project
Funds may be used for capital expenses, including equipment, technology, facility improvements, vehicles, and real estate. Businesses that fail to meet job creation benchmarks are subject to pro-rated repayment based on the number of jobs that were not created. Awarded companies are required to provide regular project updates and progress towards their committed employment targets.
After confirming that applicants meet initial eligibility requirements, projects are evaluated using the adopted rubric. Selection is based on how well each project scores against this rubric, which considers costs per job created, the potential to support local institutional partners through procurement, and overall business viability. Scores for viability and the potential to support institutional partnership were awarded by the Investment Committee during candidate presentations.
The Can Do Performance Finance Investment Committee is comprised of six members with professional expertise in small business planning, finance, and banking who do not have conflicts of interest or existing relationships with likely applicants. Members were selected by the City of Fayetteville (4), FCEDC (1), and the CDF (1).
This round of the program was supported through targeted advertising, a pre-launch information session for prospective applicants, and collaboration with PWC’s Economic Inclusion Program and the Carolina Small Business Development Fund to host Powering Prosperity: A Small Business Resource Event for Empowerment and Growth. Partners presented available services and provided direct networking and assistance. We also continued to receive referrals from community partners, local stakeholders, and the broader business community, including the Fayetteville ECD, FSU HUB, CEED, Fayetteville PWC, FTCC, and the Chamber of Commerce. The next application cycle will incorporate targeted mailers and expanded outreach sessions.
By the Numbers:
• 29 unique businesses submitted applications, requesting a combined $7.3 million in funding.
• Non-qualifying applicants were informed of their status as it was determined and were referred to community partners for further assistance and support.
• 17 of those candidates were asked to submit additional documentation.
• 7 projects were submitted to the Can Do Performance Financing Investment Committee for consideration.
• 6 committee-selected finalists were referred to CEED for financial due diligence. Following this, one project was asked to present their project for consideration.
• 1 project met the minimum 60-point scoring requirement for this second round of awards.
The project qualifying for 2nd Round Funding is:
• Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, LLC
o Commercial cleaning business focusing on janitorial services, floor care, carpet extraction, pressure washing, institutional cleaning and property restoration.
o Requesting $125,000 to create 5 full time jobs
o Capital is being used for the purchase of a commercial van, commercial equipment: floor buffers, pressure washers, carpet cleaning equipment, small equipment: vacuums, mop systems, cleaning carts and supplies, safety and protective gear, storage and production equipment, field tools: tablets, field technology, and branded uniforms.
o Minimum wage: $38,480
Issues/Analysis:
The Can Do Performance Financing Program provides an innovative solution to address challenges and overcome barriers to accessing capital using patient, non-interest-bearing funding that empowers small businesses to scale, create jobs, and participate in local procurement opportunities.
This recommended project scored highly on program criteria, was thoroughly vetted by CEED, and aligns with the City’s goals of economic inclusion and community revitalization. Denying this request would be inconsistent with the City Council’s goals for the program.
Budget Impact:
There is no additional impact on the City budget. The program was previously funded with $2.5 million from the State of North Carolina and $2.5 million from the City of Fayetteville. All funds are currently being held by the Community Development Foundation in a designated account, as agreed.
Options:
1. Approve Carlos Godwin of Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, LLC for Can Do Performance Financing funding of $125,000.
2.Deny the request for both candidates.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Approve Carlos Godwin of Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, LLC for Can Do Performance Financing funding in the amount of $125,000 and authorize the CDF to release the funds, subject to the candidate entering into an incentive agreement
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Attachments:
Project Summary for Carlos Godwin of Kamdan Cleaning Solutions, LLC.