Johnston Co. Business Leaders Confront Region’s $99.4 Million Child Care Crisis at Summit
ExCEL NC coalition deems child care “essential economic infrastructure” SMITHFIELD, N.C. (May 14, 2026) – Business leaders convened by the Johnston County Coalition of Chambers and ExCEL NC coalition this week warned that North Carolina’s child care crisis is hobbling workforce participation and slowing economic growth – costing the state $5.6 billion annually and the local region $99.4 million. The leaders also proposed data-driven solutions. During the Child Care Economic Summit hosted at the Johnston
The ''Will of the People'' Mr. Will Crocker
Distinguished Citizen Award Presented to Will Crocker by Chandler Pernell at the Annual Meeting on January 26th, 2015. Our second Distinguished Citizen Award will be given to someone who has served Johnston County and the Smithfield-Selma area for his entire life. The award also is sponsored by Woody’s Computing Service. When my parents first moved back to Smithfield, they became this gentleman’s new (almost next door) neighbor. My parents moved into another house before I was born, so he was never
