Smithfield Mayor Andy Moore Receives Golden Pinecone Award from Central Pines Regional Council

The Town of Smithfield is proud to announce that Mayor Andy Moore has been honored with the Golden Pinecone Award from the Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC). The award was presented on Thursday, December 4, during the organization’s End of Year Celebration in Durham.

Selma Mayor Byron McAllister, who also serves as CPRC Board President, presented the award, recognizing Mayor Moore’s exceptional leadership, long-term commitment to public service, and transformative impact on the Smithfield community.

Mayor Moore’s public service career spans more than 26 years, beginning as a councilmember and continuing through his long tenure as mayor. During that time, he has helped guide Smithfield through periods of financial hardship, limited growth, and some of the highest utility and tax burdens in Johnston County. Thanks to his steady leadership, Smithfield has undergone one of the most significant turnarounds in its history.

In remarks delivered at the ceremony, CPRC highlighted several key accomplishments under Mayor Moore’s leadership:

• More than 5,000 new homes approved
• Major industrial expansion, including a landmark economic development project bringing over 1,500 new jobs
• A general fund balance exceeding 100%
• Among the lowest utility rates in the county
• The lowest property tax rate of any community its size in Johnston County
• Strengthened regional cooperation, particularly in water and sewer planning
• Leadership in shaping what will soon become one of the county’s most significant tourism and economic assets: a Coastal Plains Baseball Team that will benefit communities across the region

The award presentation emphasized that these achievements were not the result of a single initiative, but the outcome of nearly three decades of consistent, strategic, and community-focused leadership.

Mayor Moore expressed gratitude for the honor and credited the town’s progress to the collective efforts of staff, council members past and present, and community partners across Johnston County and the region.

“This award represents the work of so many people who love this town,” said Mayor Moore. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m honored to serve the people of Smithfield.”

The Golden Pinecone Award is one of the highest recognitions given by the Central Pines Regional Council, which supports local governments across the region through planning, collaboration, and shared initiatives that strengthen communities.

For more information about the Central Pines Regional Council, visit their website at centralpinesnc.gov.