NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall speaks at a financial workshop for small businesses at FTCC on April 28, 2026.
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall visited Fayetteville Technical Community College on April 27–28, engaging notaries and small business owners in sessions focused on financial readiness, business growth and compliance.
Sec. Marshall also stopped by the North Carolina Military Business Center headquartered on FTCC’s Fayetteville campus.
On April 27, Sec. Marshall and Director of Electronic Notarization and Enforcement Ozie Stallworth hosted a Notary Chat, welcoming dozens of notaries from across the state for an informative discussion. The Secretary also signed copies of the North Carolina Notary Public Manual 2026.
Sec. Marshall returned to campus the next day for the Empowering Small Businesses for Financial Readiness session, a free, public workshop designed to equip small business owners with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to make their businesses financially resilient and primed for growth.
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells and Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell Allison offered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of small businesses to North Carolina’s economy.
NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall poses for a photo with Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell Allison, FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells, and Cumberland County Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere at FTCC on April 28, 2026.
Sec. Marshall shared data from a recent research collaboration with FSU. She stated that 172,394 new businesses were created in North Carolina last year.
“Small business owners have the potential to lift North Carolina’s economy in a big way,” Sec. Marshall said.
Over 80 small business owners were in attendance to learn more about the NC Rural RISE initiative and gain knowledge from other industry experts who understand the unique challenges and opportunities.
NC Rural RISE connects small business owners with mentors, business counselors, funding sources, and other resources to start and grow their business.
Dr. Tamara Colvin, Director of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business HUB at Fayetteville State University moderated a panel discussion from panelists Aregnaz “Ari” Mooradian, Deputy District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Kevin Price, President and CEO of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development; Robin Livingston, Director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center at FSU; and Joseph James, Director of the Small Business Technology Development Center.
NC Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall poses with the staff of the North Carolina Military Business Center, with is headquartered at FTCC, on April 28, 2026.
Sec. Marshall’s visit included a stop by the North Carolina Military Business Center, which has a mission to leverage military and other federal business opportunities to expand the economy, grow jobs, and improve the quality of life in North Carolina.
The Secretary met with Executive Director Scott Dorney to discuss the role of federal government contracting, not just in Cumberland County — which is strongly connected to the defense industry — but across the state.
