Jim has used 2-1/2 feet of fencing from a piece that was 9-1/2 feet long. How many feet are left?

Jim has used 2 1/2 feet of the 9 1/2-foot long piece of fencing, so he has 9 1/2 - 2 1/2 = 7 feet of fencing left. Answer: \boxed{7}.