News for Community

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 ...read more

Smithfield, NC — Downtown Smithfield is excited to welcome Curry Corner, the newest addition to the local dining scene, with an official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 13, at 2:00 PM, hosted in partnership with the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC). Curry Corner is located at 227 E. Market Street in Downtown Smithfield and officially opens its ...read more

Selma, N.C., Feb. 13, 2026 - AdVenture Development celebrated the ribbon-cutting for Olive Garden Italian Kitchen, adding a long-anticipated new dining option to  Eastfield, the 435-acre, 3 million-square-foot master-planned, mixed-use, Live-Work-Play development.    "We know our residents and visitors enjoy going out for a great meal,” said Kevin Dougherty, President of AdVenture Development. ...read more

Young artists from across Johnston County are invited to help shape the 40th Anniversary of the Ham and Yam Festival through two special art contests: the Ham & Yam T-Shirt Design Contest for middle and high school students, and a new Coloring Contest for elementary students.T-Shirt Design Contest (Sponsored by Johnston Family Dentistry) Middle and high school students are encouraged to create an ...read more

JCC sees continued growth with the seventh consecutive semester of enrollment increase. Smithfield, N.C., (January 22, 2026) – Johnston Community College continues its upward enrollment trend, opening the fall semester with the largest curriculum student population in the College’s history.On the first day of spring semester classes, JCC welcomed 5,892 degree-seeking students—a 12 percent ...read more

DATE:   February 28, 2026   PURPOSE:  This event will provide job seekers with a chance to explore employment opportunities with Johnston County Public Schools.   DETAILS:  Johnston County Public Schools will host its annual Job Fair from 9 AM to 12 PM at Smithfield-Selma High School.    Administrators from all 50 schools and various central office departments will be at the ...read more

Running a small business in today’s economy means navigating both optimism and unpredictability. Financial projections help you prepare for what’s ahead — whether you’re planning to expand, apply for a loan, or just keep cash flow steady. They’re not about predicting the future perfectly; they’re about planning intelligently.TL;DR To project finances effectively: Use accurate, recent ...read more

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 ...read more

KS BANK SPONSORED COMMUNITY EVENT FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES(Smithfield, NC) – KS Bank was the proud presenting sponsor of the first Harnett Business Resources Summit, hosted by the Dunn, Lillington, Coats, Erwin, and Angier Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Central Carolina Community College Small Business Center. The event provided tools, resources, and insights for entrepreneurs ...read more

Employee Wellness is Good Business Companies that prioritize employee wellness are finding its a tool to recruit and retain employees and a way to reduce healthcare costs. Research conducted by Workforce Magazine found that 87 percent of employees considered wellness programs when choosing an employer. In addition 67 percent of employees who worked for organizations with wellness programs ...read more

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 ...read more

Speech Given By Crystal Roberts: Ladies and gentleman, the Smithfield-Selma Chamber is again excited to present the prestigious Athena Award to a well-deserving recipient. This award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment. Tonight’s recipient is a fierce ...read more