Hoke County is entering an exciting period of economic growth as new companies, expanding manufacturers, restaurants, coffee shops and locally owned businesses invest in the community. Raeford and the surrounding areas are attracting attention because of continued population growth, proximity to Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, access to major transportation routes and the availability of land for residential and commercial development. These advantages are giving businesses more reasons to consider Hoke County while providing residents with new employment opportunities, services and places to gather.
The Hoke County Economic Development team describes its mission as attracting new industry, helping existing companies expand, creating jobs and diversifying the county’s tax base. Hoke County also offers access to workforce-development programs and industrial property connected to major rail networks. These assets are particularly valuable as manufacturers and logistics companies look for locations that offer available land, transportation connections and access to a growing regional workforce. Hoke County Economic Development
One of the largest and most important business developments is the expansion of Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, commonly known as PTT. The company manufactures power and distribution transformers for electrical utilities, municipal power systems, renewable-energy projects and industrial customers. PTT has operated in Hoke County since 1992, giving the company a long-standing connection to the local economy, but its newest investment will significantly increase its presence in the area.
Pennsylvania Transformer Technology plans to invest more than $102.5 million in its Hoke County manufacturing operations and create 217 jobs. The expansion includes approximately 300,000 square feet across two new manufacturing facilities. The projected average annual salary for the new positions is $64,949, which is considerably higher than the county’s reported average wage at the time of the announcement. The jobs could eventually contribute more than $14 million in annual payroll to the local economy. Office of the Governor of North Carolina
Construction is progressing on a 150,000-square-foot pad-mounted distribution transformer facility, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026 and initial shipments expected in early 2027. The plant will help meet the country’s growing demand for domestically manufactured electrical equipment while supporting data centers, renewable-energy systems, battery-storage projects and other infrastructure. Pennsylvania Transformer Technology
The impact of this expansion could extend well beyond the positions created inside the facilities. New manufacturing jobs increase the need for suppliers, contractors, transportation services, maintenance companies, restaurants, housing and professional services. Employees earning competitive wages are also more likely to spend money with local stores, service providers and small businesses. For Hoke County, the PTT expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen the industrial tax base while creating career paths that may allow more residents to work closer to home.
Growth is also occurring in Hoke County’s restaurant and entertainment market. Haymount Truck Stop, a popular Fayetteville food-truck destination, has announced plans to open a second location outside the Bedford neighborhood in Hoke County. Owners Jordan Sherrod and Chris Beaty created the original Haymount location as a community gathering place that supports food-truck vendors, breweries, artists and other independent businesses. The Hoke County location is expected to open in early 2027.
The new Haymount Truck Stop will be built on a four-acre site and is expected to include a larger green space, an arcade, a golf simulator, indoor communal areas, a section for guests who are 21 and older, and plenty of parking. The location will accommodate four food trucks, allowing different vendors to introduce their food to Hoke County customers without immediately taking on the cost of opening permanent restaurants. More than 200 food trucks are reportedly registered with the original business, creating the potential for a frequently changing selection of vendors and cuisines. Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
Haymount Truck Stop could fill an important need in a part of Hoke County where residential growth has outpaced entertainment development. Instead of serving only as another restaurant, the business is designed to function as an experience where residents can enjoy food, games, outdoor space and community events. Its arrival could also encourage other entertainment and hospitality businesses to explore opportunities near Hoke County’s growing neighborhoods.
Haraz Coffee is another recent addition bringing a distinctive experience to the area. The café opened at 8614 Fayetteville Road in Raeford in April 2026. It is the owners’ third Haraz Coffee location, joining cafés in Apex and Raleigh. The business specializes in Yemeni coffee culture and was introduced to the Raeford area because the owners saw an opportunity to offer something culturally rich, community-oriented and different from existing coffee options.
Haraz Coffee is positioning itself as more than a place to purchase a drink. The company’s goals include hosting events, working with local creators and providing a welcoming space where customers can gather, work and connect. Haraz Coffee opening announcement Businesses of this type can contribute to the community by creating informal meeting places for entrepreneurs, remote employees, students, families and civic organizations.
Raeford’s dining scene has also welcomed Halftime Hangout, a veteran-owned and family-operated restaurant at 2080 Club Pond Road. The restaurant opened in June 2026 with a sports-focused, family-friendly concept. It offers residents a local place to watch major sporting events, enjoy food and gather with friends without traveling outside the county. Halftime Hangout opening announcement
The arrival of Halftime Hangout reflects the growing demand for businesses that combine dining with entertainment. As more homes are built and more families settle in Hoke County, residents will continue looking for convenient places to socialize. Successful locally owned restaurants can also create jobs for cooks, servers, managers and vendors while keeping more consumer spending inside the county.
Downtown Raeford is benefiting from small-business investment as well. Kayla Renee Cakes, which began serving the community in 2022, expanded into a new storefront at 122 North Main Street in 2025. The move represented a deeper commitment to downtown Raeford and demonstrated how community support can help a homegrown business grow into a more visible commercial location. Kayla Renee Cakes expansion
Other additions include Buck Diner at 308 Laurinburg Road, a vintage-style restaurant inspired by the Hoke County Bucks, and Briarwood Cattle Farm near Red Springs. Briarwood is a service-disabled veteran-owned and minority-owned company producing farm-fresh beef, chicken, pork and coffee while pursuing larger contracting opportunities. These businesses show that Hoke County’s economic future is not limited to large corporations. Local restaurants, farms, bakeries and veteran-owned enterprises are equally important because they contribute character, provide specialized products and create opportunities for residents.
The next phase of Hoke County’s growth will depend on how successfully established industries, new developments and locally owned businesses work together. The PTT expansion can bring higher-paying manufacturing positions, while businesses such as Haraz Coffee, Halftime Hangout and Haymount Truck Stop can provide the dining, recreation and social options desired by a growing population. At the same time, companies such as Kayla Renee Cakes, Buck Diner and Briarwood Cattle Farm demonstrate the value of supporting entrepreneurs who are already rooted in the community.
Hoke County is becoming a place where industrial investment and small-business creativity can grow side by side. Residents can help sustain that progress by shopping locally, recommending Hoke County businesses, attending grand openings and sharing positive experiences through social media and the We Are Hoke Marketplace. Every local purchase helps strengthen employment, entrepreneurship and the sense of community that makes Hoke County an increasingly attractive place to live, work and build a business.
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