Fayetteville Industrial: Fort Liberty, Logistics, and Growing Demand

Fayetteville’s industrial market doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. Everyone talks about Charlotte and the Triad, and yeah, those are bigger markets. But pound for pound, what’s happening in Cumberland County right now is pretty impressive.

Let me lay out the numbers because they tell the story better than I can.

The demand drivers

Fort Liberty is the obvious one. Over 50,000 military personnel and an economic impact that’s been estimated at $20 billion annually. That base needs supply chain, maintenance, logistics, equipment storage. All of that requires industrial space.

But it’s not just the base anymore. Amazon built a 1.3 million SF fulfillment center. American Titanium is putting $1 billion into a manufacturing facility that’ll create 300 jobs. These are big-time private sector commitments to this market.

What the I-295 loop changes

Here’s the thing that a lot of people outside Fayetteville don’t fully appreciate. The I-295 outer loop — all 39 miles of it — completed in November 2025. That’s a full beltway around the metro. It’s opened up industrial corridors that didn’t really exist before. Land along those interchanges is getting scooped up for development, and existing industrial near the new ramps just got a lot more attractive.

Add in the I-95 widening project — a $708.9 million investment — and the logistics connectivity here is about to be on a different level. Fayetteville sits at the intersection of I-95 and I-295 with good access to the Port of Wilmington. That matters for industrial tenants.

What I’m buying

I’m looking at warehouse buildings, small manufacturing facilities, and multi-tenant industrial along the Bragg Boulevard corridor, the Gillespie Street area, and increasingly along the new I-295 interchanges. Clear heights of 16 feet or more, drive-in doors, three-phase power. The basics.

I bought a 12,000 SF industrial building off Sycamore Dairy Road last year. Owner had held it since the early 2000s, ran a small distribution operation out of it, and was ready to retire. We closed in 40 days. No broker, no drama. He walked away with a fair price and I got a building I can re-lease in a strong market.

What sellers should understand about this market

Fayetteville industrial isn’t Charlotte or the Triad. Rents per square foot are lower. Cap rates tend to be higher. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad market — it means the buyer pool is different. You’re not going to see a REIT or pension fund buying a 15,000 SF warehouse on Gillespie Street. But private investors and operators like me? We’re very active here because the yields work.

The buildings I see most often are 8,000-25,000 SF, built in the ’80s or ’90s, with 14-18 foot clear heights and one or two drive-in doors. Single-tenant or small multi-tenant. These trade anywhere from $50-100/SF depending on condition, location, and lease status. For a market where you can find good tenants and stable demand, those entry points are attractive.

And here’s something worth noting. Insurance costs in Cumberland County have climbed 20-30% over the last three years. Property taxes went up after the last revaluation. If you’re an owner who’s been absorbing those increases, your net income is shrinking even if rents haven’t changed. A lot of owners I talk to are reaching the point where selling makes more financial sense than continuing to hold.

If you own industrial property in Fayetteville or Cumberland County, I’d like to hear from you. Especially if you’ve been holding for a while and the growth around Fort Liberty has you thinking about timing a sale. The window is good right now.

Give me a ring to discuss your property. 704-600-3839.