News

Small Business Readiness Autumn Grant Applications Are Open Now

Grant Applications are now open for the Verizon Small Business Readiness Autumn Grant. Fifty small businesses will be awarded $10,000 through this program. Don't miss this opportunity to secure funding for your business. Deadline to apply is December 10, 2025.  Go to bit.ly/SBC-VerizonCreate a FREE AccountComplete 2 FREE 30 minute coursesBecome eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant   Here’s what you’ll get for free:Expert-led workshopsPeer networkingSelf-paced courses$10,000 grants   Usually, this

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

High School Graduates Face Skills Shortage; New AP Courses Aim to Prepare Them for the Workforce

Finding qualified workers remains a significant challenge for businesses, with only 38% of hiring managers reporting that it’s easy to find candidates with the right skills. The big picture: A new survey from the U.S. Chamber and College Board highlights a significant gap in workforce readiness among high school graduates. ‌ By the numbers: 84% of hiring managers in the survey say high school graduates aren’t ready for work. ‌ 80% believe they’re less prepared than previous generations. What we’re

Host a Golden LEAF Intern

Businesses, nonprofits, and government entities in Johnston County can apply to host a Golden LEAF Scholar. The program provides students who have received Golden LEAF Scholarships internship opportunities in qualifying rural counties. Golden LEAF will pay the intern for their time. The interns work 9-12 weeks between May and August. Intern hosts must provide the interns with a meaningful project or role that aligns with the students college major and future career goals.  Businesses and organizations

Safe Kids Johnston County Celebrates Child Passenger Safety Week

Safe Kids Johnston County Celebrates Child Passenger Safety Week Johnston County, NC — Safe Kids Johnston County is celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week, from September 21-27. As a special designation recently proclaimed by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, the week recognizes the importance of keeping kids safe in cars and on the road.  “Last year, we checked 174 car seats in Johnston County, and a staggering 79% were being used incorrectly,” stated Jennifer Williams, Safe Kids Johnston

JCPS Considered a Top Performing District

Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) has released its 2024-2025 school year performance data, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), noting that the district has INCREASED its RANKING to 30TH in the STATE of NORTH CAROLINA!The district’s rank of 30 out of 115 public school units is a noteworthy accomplishment, as the district's academic achievement continues to show improvement in comparison, moving from 80th in 2018, 83rd in 2019, 41st in 2023, and 35th in 2024. The

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

Are You Interested in Pursuing a Career in Child Care but Lack Previous Experience?

Johnston Community College Awarded $565,000 NSF Grant to Advance Cybersecurity Education

Johnston Community College Awarded Second NSF Grant to Advance Cybersecurity Education Smithfield, N.C. — September 3, 2025 – Johnston Community College (JCC) has been awarded a three-year, $565,044 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support its cybersecurity programs. The funded project focuses on integrating employability skills, which employers seek from graduates, with technical expertise. This award will expand opportunities for JCC students to participate in cybersecurity

Partnership Seeks Participants for Free Child Care Academy

Partnership Seeks Participants for Free Child Care Academy Johnston County — The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is now accepting participants for its Child Care Academy this fall. The program provides free, comprehensive training and support to individuals interested in pursuing a career in child care. Participants will complete all required training sessions, fingerprinting, and a background check. The program also includes professionalism training, interview practice, classroom

News Release: 8/28/2025

Johnston Community College will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility in Four Oaks. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this milestone event. This 67,000 square foot, cutting-edge facility serves as the advanced manufacturing training hub for Johnston County and the eastern region of the state. You will be able to get an inside look at the new campus, as well as interview dignitaries in attendance. What: Ribbon

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,”

Read to Grow Announces 4th Annual Poster Contest to Celebrate Attendance Awareness Month

Read to Grow Announces 4th Annual Poster Contest to Celebrate Attendance Awareness Month  Johnston County, NC – Read to Grow Johnston County is excited to announce its 4th Annual Poster Contest in honor of Attendance Awareness Month this September. The contest encourages K-5 students to create posters highlighting the importance of regular school attendance.  On August 18th, the Johnston County Board of Commissioners officially proclaimed September 2025 as Attendance Awareness Month, recognizing the

Johnston Community College Announces Record Enrollment

Johnston Community College Announces Record Enrollment    JCC sees another semester of double-digit percentage increase in credit students   Smithfield, N.C., (August 19, 2025) – Johnston Community College (JCC) has once again set a new enrollment record, achieving its highest-ever curriculum headcount.    On the first day of fall semester classes, JCC welcomed 6,513 degree-seeking students. That is a 15 percent increase over last fall and a 61 percent growth in curriculum enrollment since 2021.

Teacher Assistant of the Year rewarded for good works

Johnston County Public Schools Teacher Assistant Chellie Cherry from West Smithfield Elementary was named the 2022 Teacher Assistant of the Year.    The reason is crystal clear. A dedicated employee of Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) for nearly 30 years, she has spent twenty-two of those years as a teacher assistant, an amazing feat in and of itself. The cherry on top is that she is a teacher assistant of exceptional students.   A native of Johnston County and a graduate of

2022 Johnston County Teacher of the Year is Homegrown Success

Four Oaks Elementary third grade teacher Jennifer Beninate was named the 2022 Johnston County Teacher of the Year at the annual Flame for Learning Award banquet on April 26.  Beninate is the epitome of a teacher, which by definition is someone who imparts knowledge and enlightens. It’s immediately obvious that teaching is her calling. She draws inspiration from her idol Mary Poppins and speaks to her students lovingly and calmly. “Teaching is just a way I get to be Mary Poppins every day,” she

JCPS TA of the Year is Chellie Cherry, West Smithfield Elementary

Johnston County Public Schools teacher assistant Chellie Cherry from West Smithfield Elementary was named the 2022 Teacher Assistant of the Year at their organization's annual banquet.  Teacher Assistants work alongside teachers to give students additional attention and instruction. Darrick McNeill is the Principal of West Smithfield Elementary. Cherry’s coworkers said that she is beyond deserving of the Teacher Assistant of the Year award, and is an integral part of the West Smithfield Elementary

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS Written By: Robin Koppen, JCPS Communication Specialist   SMITHFIELD, NC - The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 (FOP 88) bought and donated 500 backpacks to help children in Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS).  Members of the FOP 88 worked alongside JCPS school social workers, school counselors, student advocates, school nurses, assistant principals, and some central office staff to fill the bags on Thursday, Mar. 17, at the

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

LEADERSHIP JOHNSTON LAUNCHES CLASS OF 2022

SMITHFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA, January 15, 2022— A fully engaged Leadership Johnston program returns to Johnston County this year! The eleven-month program is designed for those who want to learn more about the county while developing and refining leadership skills. Through a variety of personal growth opportunities, individuals will gain a more in-depth understanding of the many facets of Johnston County, build crisis leadership and change management skills, and learn the skills necessary for effectively

JCC Offering Free Workshop for Underemployed and Unemployed

Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce recognizes local SuperStar Teachers

The Education Committee of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce honored seven local elementary school teachers on November 3 at its semi-annual Semester SuperStars Luncheon at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Smithfield.  These teachers were nominated by their principals and recognized as outstanding educators in the Smithfield-Selma area. The teachers were given a plaque and a bag full of items from Chamber members. A similar luncheon will be held in the spring for outstanding middle and high