Smithfield Celebrates Todd Johnson as 2025 North Carolina Main Street Champion

SMITHFIELD, NC — The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) is proud to celebrate Smithfield resident Todd Johnson, Director of the Heritage Foundation and the Smithfield Historic Foundation, on being named one of North Carolina’s 2025 Main Street Champions.

Johnson was among 42 honorees recognized on March 12 during the North Carolina Main Street Champions Recognition Ceremony in New Bern, held as part of the N.C. Main Street Conference—the nation’s largest statewide downtown revitalization conference. The award, presented annually by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to strengthening downtown districts and building vibrant communities.

Each year, Main Street Champions are nominated by their local Main Street programs. Johnson was selected for his steadfast dedication to preserving Smithfield’s history while helping shape its future.

“Todd’s passion for Smithfield runs deep, and his work has helped ensure that our history is not only preserved but meaningfully shared,” said DSDC leadership. “From championing the preservation of our historic downtown theater to helping bring the Tuscarora mural to life—honoring the original people of this land—Todd has a unique ability to connect our past with our present in ways that inspire community pride and understanding.”

Johnson’s research and advocacy have also uncovered important pieces of Smithfield’s early history, including documentation of a Tuscarora burial mound once located in the center of town—work that has further enriched the community’s appreciation of its cultural heritage.

“Main Street Champions embody the spirit of possibility,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “They turn concepts into action, energize local economies, and inspire others to invest in the future of their communities.”

Johnson expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the collective effort behind Smithfield’s progress. “Downtown Smithfield is a special place with so much potential as a cultural hub,” he said. “A lot of us get impatient when things don’t happen overnight, but we need to keep working together to find the right combination of visionary leaders, activists, and investors needed to make our downtown all it can be.”

At DSDC, we couldn’t agree more. Todd is not only a champion for preservation, but a champion for people—for the stories, cultures, and shared experiences that make Smithfield unique. His leadership, curiosity, and commitment continue to inspire all of us working to build a vibrant and inclusive downtown.

With the addition of this year’s honorees, more than 1,000 individuals and organizations have been recognized as N.C. Main Street Champions since the program began in 2000.

The N.C. Main Street Program is celebrating 46 years of downtown revitalization and 25 years of educational programming through its annual conference. Using the Main Street Approach™, communities across the state continue to strengthen their downtowns as centers of economic and cultural life.  Downtown Smithfield has proudly been part of this impactful program since 1986, benefiting from its guidance and contributing to its legacy of success.