Groundbreaking Set for New Downtown Smithfield Community Park
Smithfield, NC — The corner of Market Street and 3rd Street N in Downtown Smithfield is about to get a major makeover. This October, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) will break ground on a new community park, transforming the site’s overgrown and outdated landscaping into a more accessible, family-friendly destination. The project is a collaboration between the DSDC, the Town of Smithfield, Johnston County, and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau. The design, created by Landscape
Impact of the Government Shutdown on Small Business
The federal government shutdown is creating significant challenges for businesses nationwide, from delayed SBA loans to halted federal contracts. These disruptions threaten growth, delay opportunities, and create uncertainty for business leaders and their communities. With Congress failing to reach a funding agreement by September 30, 2025, a government shutdown has begun. This will halt critical services, including SBA loan processing, passport and visa applications, and environmental reviews for
Duke Energy Files 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan
Duke Energy filed its biennial long-range energy modernization plan for its dual-state system with the North Carolina Utilities Commission. The 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan is Duke Energy’s road map to serve customer growth needs while protecting reliability and keeping costs as low as possible. Customer bill impacts for the proposed plan are projected to average 2.1% annually over the coming decade – lower than the rate of inflation and significantly less than projected costs for the previously
Johnston Community College and County Leaders Cut Ribbon on Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility
Johnston Community College, along with County and state leaders, celebrated the official opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility in Four Oaks today. The 67,000-square-foot, $40 million facility will serve as a hub for workforce training, economic development, and industry partnerships across Johnston County and the eastern region of North Carolina. The state-of-the-art center will house JCC’s Welding, Applied and Mechanical Engineering, and Machining programs, giving students access
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N.C. Highway Patrol to base Special Operations Division at Johnston Regional Airport
Johnston County, N.C. – September 22, 2025. Johnston County Regional Airport (JNX) will be home to a $22 million facility that will house the North Carolina Highway Patrol’s Special Operations Division. Local and state officials announced plans for the 60,000-sq.-ft. complex earlier today in front of about 150 invited guests that included outgoing N.C. Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins, numerous state legislators and county commissioners, mayors from three nearby municipalities, and sheriffs from
Strong Foundations: A Playbook for Housing and Economic Growth
The US Chamber of Commerce in partnership with AEI Housing Center recently released Strong Foundations: A Playbook for Housing and Economic Growth- a first of its kind resource offering data informed insights and practical strategies tailed to thousands of local jurisdictions- including Johnston County. The Johnston County playbook provides insight into housing supply, affordability, migration patterns, homelessness, and more. It is designed to assist business leaders, policy makers, and community
County's Statewide Visitors Spending Data Released
Statewide, visitor spending in 2024 rose 3.1% to reach a record $36.7 billion. Direct tourism employment increased 1.4% to 230,338. These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2024,” a study funded, contracted, and released by Visit NC. In Johnston County, visitors spent $314.59 million in 2024, which is a 5.2% increase over 2023 spending.Visitors to the county spend $861,890 a day in local businesses such as hotels, retail and outlet shopping, attractions, dining,
What are the needs of retailers and service providers
We want to better understand the needs and opportunities facing retailers in the Smithfield area. As we prepare for our upcoming Commercial Charette, your input will help shape strategies for retail growth, identify business gaps, and explore incentives that could support success. Please take a few minutes to share your perspective in this brief survey. Take the Survey Here »
Johnston County Recognizes Summer Interns and Highlights Local Government Opportunities
Johnston County Recognizes Summer Interns and Highlights Local Government Opportunities Smithfield, N.C.- The Johnston County Board of Commissioners recognized this year’s class of summer interns during their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. More than a dozen high school and college students gained valuable work experience this summer through internships across multiple County departments. Interns learned skills across several disciplines working with professionals in County departments
Partnership for Children of Johnston County Celebrates Smart Start Month
Partnership for Children of Johnston County Celebrates Smart Start MonthJohnston County, NC — The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is celebrating September as Smart Start Month, a special designation recently proclaimed by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners to recognize the essential role of the Smart Start Network in supporting North Carolina’s youngest children and the adults who care for them.“In Johnston County, the Partnership is the backbone of the local early childhood system,”
50% of NC Businesses Have Embraced AI
The US Chamber of Commerce released a report on small businesses use of artificial intelligence The report found approximately 50% of businesses in the state have adopted use of AI. However, business leaders have concerns over data privacy and regulations. The report found that use of AI has helped small business owners cope with inflation and supply chain disruption as well as improved access to capital. At the same time 82% of the businesses surveyed reported they had increased their workforce during
Guide to Maximize Savings for Small Businesses from New Tax Law
The US Chamber has published a guide for small businesses to help them maximize savings from the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This guide helps companies better understand provisions of the law, including permanent deductions, enhanced credits, and expanded eligibility criteria. Small business owners can take advantage of these tax breaks starting now for expenses dating back to January 20, 2025. The guide can be found here.
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Chamber Foundations Are a National Best Practice
More than a local initiative, Chamber foundations have become a national best practice—empowering chambers across the country to tackle big-picture challenges like workforce readiness, small business resilience, and inclusive economic growth. By establishing our Foundation 14 years ago, we positioned ourselves ahead of the curve, recognizing early on that a 501(c)(3) arm would allow us to access new funding, support community-focused programs, and deepen our long-term impact. Today, with nearly 90% of
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Triangle East Economic Development Foundation Hosts Discussion on Workforce Housing Solutions
The Triangle East Economic Development Foundation and the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce hosted Workforce Housing: Understanding the Challenge, Creating Solutions, the Foundation’s inaugural event, addressing workforce housing challenges and their impact on local businesses. The event took place at First Baptist Church of Smithfield on April 1st. Panelists included: Jill Homan, President of Javelin 19 InvestmentsErica Leatham, Vice President, Land, M/I HomesApril Stephens, Owner, The April Stephens
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
