High School Space Crunch Yields Opportunities for Robot-Savvy Workers
NC Robotics Initiative Captures the Imagination of Johnston County Students Johnston County, N.C. – May 15, 2025. Robotics is changing manufacturing -- taking over repetitive tasks on a round-the-clock basis with untiring consistency and precision that human hands cannot match. In 2023, over 39,000 industrial robots were installed in the United States, according to the International Federation of Robotics (WFR), a non-profit trade association based in Frankfurt, Germany. That’s a 10 percent increase from
Help Shape North Carolina's Energy Future
The NC Chamber Foundation is engaging stakeholders across the state to help shape a long-term, business-focused energy vision for North Carolina. To ensure broad input, a short survey is now available for those who have not yet shared their perspective with our research partners. The survey focuses on key energy and infrastructure issues affecting businesses and industries across the state. All responses will be anonymized during analysis. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, May 23.
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Johnson Named Top Economic Developer
Recently, Johnston County's Economic Development DirectorChris Johnsonwas named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America by Consultant Connect. Chris was recognized for his leadership, innovation and creativity. He will receive the award in November.
Commissioners Approve County Support for Industrial Spec Space
Illinois-based Wylie Capital Will Build $55 Million Commerce Hub in Clayton Johnston County, N.C. – May 5, 2025. Johnston County Commissioners unanimously approved an economic development agreement with Wylie Capital this morning in support of creating a 382,000-sq.-ft. “mini” industrial park in Clayton. Headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., Wylie Capital is a developer of industrial and commercial real estate in the Midwest and Sun Belt. It plans to build what will be called the Clayton Commerce
Downtown Smithfield Launches New Social District to Boost Community Engagement and Support Local Business
Smithfield, NC – The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC), in partnership with the Town of Smithfield, is proud to announce the official launch of the Downtown Smithfield Social District—a new initiative aimed at creating a more vibrant, walkable downtown experience. Starting this week, visitors will be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages in designated outdoor areas within the Social District boundaries. The district will operate on the following schedule: Wednesday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 10:00
Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Recognizes the Power of Travel Ahead of National Travel and Tourism Week
Travel Powers the Economy, Builds Opportunity & Connects Communities Smithfield, NC — During National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) May 4-10th, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is proud to recognize the incredible impact travel and tourism have on our community’s growth, vibrancy, and economic health. "Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses, and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and
Fed Reports Stable Labor Market Conditions and Solid Job Gains in North Carolina
While roughly 900 people left the labor force in March, the unemployment rate in North Carolina remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. Payroll employment increased by net 8,300 jobs in March with professional and business services leading the way, followed by government and education and health services. Financial services saw a slight decline in employment. Measuring against our neighbors to the north and south, South Carolina created 55,400 jobs for a 2.4 percent increase in the past year and Virginia added
Triangle East Prospers Surpasses $800,000
TRIANGLE EAST PROSPERS CAMPAIGN SURPASSES $800,000 – 65% TOWARD GOAL WITH STRONG COMMUNITY BACKING Bold Initiative will Unite Public and Private Sectors to Attract Talent, Create Jobs, and Expand Opportunities Across the Region The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce announced that its Triangle East Prospers campaign has surpassed the $800,000 mark with $853,261 invested—representing 65% of the $1.3 million goal to fund a five-year, public-private initiative focused on regional economic prosperity. A
The Case to Establish NC's State Infrastructure Bank
North Carolina’s population and industrial growth are driving increased demand for infrastructure, with projections estimating a population of up to 11.7 million by 2030. This growth calls for innovative infrastructure funding strategies and mechanisms to keep pace and maintain the state’s competitive position as a top state for business. Sustainable resources to support North Carolina’s broad range of infrastructure are challenged by declining traditional revenue streams, inflation, and significant
US Chamber Releases The State of Housing in America
US Chamber Releases Report on Housing in America Housing has long been a cornerstone of the American dream and a vital component of the nation’s economy. Yet, the U.S. housing market is in crisis, driven by a fundamental imbalance between supply and demand. A severe shortage of over 4.5 million homes has created cascading economic and social challenges, from skyrocketing prices to reduced workforce mobility. This deficit, rooted in a decade of underbuilding following the Great Recession and
Business and Community Leaders Join Chamber of Commerce to Launch Regional Economic Prosperity Initiative
Triangle East Prospers Campaign Announces It Has Secured Over 50% of Campaign Goal from Early Investors On Tuesday, Johnston County business and community leaders joined the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce to launch the public phase of a $1.3 million campaign to fund a new regional economic prosperity initiative, Triangle East Prospers. This transformative, five-year private-public partnership will ensure Johnston County’s future success in economic and community development through three specific
New Report Details Significant Housing Supply Gap in North Carolina
A new statewide report released on February 5, 2025 shows that North Carolina faces a significant housing inventory gap across all income levels and geographic areas in the state. The gap is expected to increase with projected job and population growth, and if addressed, could generate $489 billion in economic activity and nearly 2.2 million jobs. The research, commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, North Carolina Home Builders Association, and NC REALTORS®, quantifies the extent to which current
Better Benefits, Better Business: Why You Should Up Your Game With Your Company Benefits Package
A benefits package is one of the most important factors in attracting and retaining top talent. In order to stay competitive, employers need to be creative in the types of benefits they offer. Traditional health insurance and retirement plans are no longer enough. To really stand out, employers need to offer a more comprehensive benefits package that includes gym memberships, yoga classes, nutrition services, counseling services, and education benefits. Surveying employees annually can help employers
Do Good Foods LLC Will Invest More Than $100 Million At Selma's Eastfield Crossing
‘Climate Forward’ Consumer Foods Pioneer Will Create Approximately 100 Jobs in JoCo Johnston County, N.C. – June 6, 2022. Do Good Foods LLC, a revolutionary climate forward company that upcycles surplus grocery store food into nutrient-dense animal feed, will invest more than $100 million in a new production facility at Eastfield Crossing in Selma. The new operation will employ approximately 100 workers at wages averaging more than $60,000 per year. Johnston County Commissioners joined the Selma Town
Carolinas Carbon Plan – A Cleaner Energy Future for Our Customers
Led by significant growth in renewables and storage, the plan features a diverse energy mix to balance reliability and affordability All options in the plan meet carbon reduction targets in North Carolina’s clean energy law, including least-cost and reliability mandatesCHARLOTTE, N.C. – After months of stakeholder input, Duke Energy today filed its proposed Carolinas Carbon Plan with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) – a clean energy plan that balances affordability and reliability for
SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma Residents
SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma ResidentsFree event targets residents most in need. April 4, 2022 – The SelmaWorks! Resource Fair will take place at the Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium from 10am-2pm on Friday, April 22. The event is a partnership between Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD), NCWorks, Johnston Community College and Johnston County Public Schools. The resource fair will feature several organizations that provide services to help individuals in
Commissioners Vote Unanimously to Accept NC Railroad Grant
Selma’s Eastfield Crossing Project Set to Benefit from Rail Access Johnston County, N.C. – March 22, 2022. The Johnston County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last night to formally accept a $750,000 infrastructure grant as part of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s Build Ready Sites initiative. The award will be applied to upgrades and improvements in Selma that will support the county’s Eastfield Crossing project. “Johnston County is proud to be one of six North Carolina counties to be
EDGEWATER VENTURES WILL INVEST $40 MILLION IN BENSON DISTRIBUTION SPACE
Facility Will Add More Than $73 Million to Johnston County’s Economic Output Johnston County, N.C. – March 7, 2022. Edgewater Ventures, a Raleigh-based commercial real estate investment and development firm with nearly 2.7 million square-feet of existing assets, will build a 501,120 square-foot Class A distribution facility in close proximity to the Interstate 40 and Interstate 95 interchange in Benson. The company’s $40 million investment will be the initial development of what will ultimately result in
CAROLINA WHOLESALE FLOORING NOW OPEN IN SELMA
Luxury Vinyl and Laminate Flooring In Stock and Open to the Public Selma, NC (March 3, 2022) – Adventure Development, LLC, is pleased to announce that Carolina Wholesale Flooring is now open in the Triangle East Collaborative (TEC) building at 67 JR Road in Selma.Owned by Shane Wells and Josh Hall, Carolina Wholesale Flooring offers luxury vinyl and laminate flooring to the public. As a wholesaler, they offer low prices and keep flooring in-stock and available on-site for pickup. “We chose to locate our
Celebrating the Voices and Passions of Local FarmHers
Smithfield, N.C. -- The Junior Women's League of Smithfield, in partnership with the Johnston County Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher program and JoCo Grows Agriculture Committee will host Ask A Farm(HER), a local farmer Q&A panel featuring female farmers from Johnston County on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m at Johnston County Ag Center. The purpose of the Q&A panel is to give Johnston County citizens an opportunity to hear farmers discuss the issues of importance to
New Website Connects Commuting Workers With Open Jobs Nearby
NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS COMMUTING WORKERS WITH OPEN JOBS NEARBYJoCoCareers.org Aims to Fine-Tune Johnston County’s Labor Market Johnston County, N.C. – January 10, 2022. Johnston County is one of the state’s fastest growing counties in terms of population and employment. A website – JoCoCareers.org -- launched earlier this month seeks to align new jobs and workers, and reduce the high number of county residents who commute to neighboring towns and cities. County leaders hope the new resource also will
JERNIGAN FURNITURE OPENS NEW STORE IN SMITHFIELD: Family-Owned Furniture Company Leases Storefront in Pine Needle Square
Smithfield, NC (November 17, 2021) – AdVenture Development, LLC, is pleased to announce that Jernigan Furniture is now open at 721 N. Brightleaf Blvd., Suite 7D, in Pine Needle Square. Jernigan Furniture is a fourth-generation family furniture company founded in downtown Goldsboro in 1924 by Sam Jernigan Sr. Sam’s great grandson, Andrew Jernigan, now leads the family business and looks forward to bringing the company’s “A Sense of Family. A Sense of Home,” mantra to its new Smithfield location. The new
ADVANCETEC WILL INVEST OVER $10 MILLION AT SITE NEAR CLAYTON - Cleanroom Integration Experts to Leverage Prefabrication & Modularization for Biotech
Johnston County, N.C. – November 1, 2021. AdvanceTEC, a leader in cleanroom design, construction and mission-critical process integration, will invest more than $10 million in a new site in Johnston County. The Richmond, Va. based company intends to create an advanced skilled workforce at a location near Clayton, which will serve biotechnology companies in the Research Triangle and throughout the United States. “Johnston County’s place in the 21st century life sciences industry is taking an important
Local Developer Breaks Ground on Future Business Park
Local Developer Breaks Ground on Future Business ParkCounty and town leaders turned out to mark the investment in Selma Selma, NC (August 30, 2021) – AdVenture Development, LLC hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Eastfield Business Park on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Ground was broken on the 135,000 SF industrial spec building at 101 E. Providence Blvd in Selma, NC. The spec building, also known as Building 100, is a state-of-the-art industrial project located in a certified North
SOLA CREATIONS BOUTIQUE FEATURED IN THE BOOK, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC
The much-awaited book, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC, written by Pine Level writer Cindy Brookshire, shares 12 personal stories of Selma, North Carolina residents, volunteers, and business owners who are revitalizing and uplifting their beloved rail community and all it has to offer. Katja Jentes of ProverbsPhotography shot all the photos in the book, including the book cover. Twenty-three community members participated in the project and two national experts, Roger Brooks
AMAZON TO CREATE 500 JOBS AT A NEW $100 MILLION DISTRIBUTION OPERATION IN SMITHFIELD
Contacts: Chris Johnson Tim Kerigan 919-205-1232 919-934-2116 x1109 919-915-6202 (cell) tim.kerigan@smithfield-nc.com chris.johnson@johnstonnc.com Johnston County, N.C. – May 10, 2021. Amazon.com, the Seattle-based e-retailing pioneer, will launch a state-of-the-art import processing center in Smithfield, creating more than 500 jobs
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Smithfield-Selma Chamber honors distinguished citizens at Annual Meeting
SMITHFIELD, North Carolina — The Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce culminated its 2016 year at its 47th Annual Meeting with a farewell bid to its President of 30 years, Rick Childrey; recognitions of members who earned special honors; and, a passing of the gavel from 2016 Board Chair Dr. Dwight Morris, Executive Director of the Johnston County Partnership for Children, to 2017 Board Chair Corina Knott, Senior Account Executive with Interstate Outdoor, Inc. Knott expressed excitement
