JOCO WORKS NOW Seeks Local Business Partners for 2026 Summer Internship Program
JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC — JOCO WORKS is calling on local businesses to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workforce by serving as internship hosts for the JOCO WORKS NOW summer initiative. JOCO WORKS NOW is a structured summer work-based learning (WBL) program that connects Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 11th- and 12th-grade students with local employers for immersive, hands-on professional experiences. A collaborative partnership between area chambers of commerce, local employers,
Small Budget, Big Turnout: Event Promotion Strategies for Dunn-Area Business Owners
Promoting a local event doesn't require a large marketing budget — the most effective channels are either free or nearly free, and the results can be substantial. Even though budget tops the challenge list for nearly one in three U.S. event organizers, 76% of them still planned to host more events that same year. For small businesses in Dunn, where relationships drive commerce and community turnout matters, strategy wins over spend every time.Start With a Written Plan Before you post anything or send a
Johnston County 2026 Flame for Learning Semifinalists Announced
Johnston County, NC – The Johnston County Coalition of Chambers and Johnston County Public Schools is proud to recognize twenty outstanding educators as semifinalists for the 32nd Annual Flame for Learning Award. These exceptional teachers were nominated by their peers within the Johnston County Public School system for demonstrating remarkable creativity, innovation, and dedication in their classrooms. The Flame for Learning Award, presented by Chick-fil-A of Smithfield, celebrates those who consistently
JOCO WORKS PRO Welcomed Over 150 Students for Workforce Success on February 18th
Smithfield, NC - On February 18, 150 10th-grade students gathered at Johnston Community College for JOCO WORKS PRO, a half-day intensive focused on work-based learning readiness through four core workshops in self empowerment, digital media, interviewing, and workplace best practices. “JOCO WORKS PRO is an essential experience that ignites critical thinking, prompts self-evaluation, and boosts confidence. Access and preparation are key to navigating the education and job marketplaces. Through the
Scaling Smart: How Small Businesses Can Manage Sudden Growth Without Losing Focus
When growth hits hard and fast, control becomes the first casualty. Whether you’re a local café that’s suddenly gone viral or a SaaS startup adding hundreds of new clients a month, scaling without structure can turn success into chaos. The key isn’t just growing faster — it’s growing in formation. TL;DR Rapid growth strains finances, team systems, and customer experience. Build scalable structures early — finance controls, team frameworks, and data visibility tools. Focus on governance
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Triangle East Chamber Names First Talent and Leadership Development Manager
Smithfield, NC – The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce has taken a major step forward in its five-year Triangle East Prospers initiative, appointing BriAnna Walker as the region’s first-ever Talent and Leadership Development Manager. The new role marks a significant investment in tackling one of Johnston County’s most pressing challenges: building a skilled workforce. Currently, 63 percent of area employers report difficulty finding workers with essential skills. Walker will lead the charge in developing,
Cracking the Code: How to Turn Local Intel into Business Strategy
You’re sitting on a goldmine and don’t even know it. Right outside your storefront, in the coffee shops and laundromats and food trucks humming a block away, are patterns, habits, and whispers that—if read right—can tell you exactly what your next move should be. Strategy isn’t just spreadsheets and quarterly forecasts, it’s how well you can read the room, especially when the room is your zip code. It’s not glamorous, but that’s the point. What works in Midtown won’t fly in Midtown South, and your biggest
Triangle East Chamber Announces Legacy Awards Celebration
Award Recipients to Be Honored on June 14th, 2022 SMITHFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA, May 5, 2022— The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their first annual Legacy Awards celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring leaders who are investing their time, talent, and resources to impact our community. Four distinguished awards will be presented: the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Citizen of the Year Award, the Jimmy Creech Small Businessperson of the Year Award, and the Emerging Leader
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
Kelly Wallace Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program
Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities toEngage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Kelly Wallace, Vice President & COO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the fifth cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development
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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
