News for Economic
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Photo credit: Logan Heitman
Front row Left: Lorie Jones, G.M. Old North State Food Hall, Apple and Bobby Ray Stone, Owners, Pat Thai, joined by members of Activate Selma at Triangle East Chamber of Commerce to welcome PAT THAI as they cut the ribbon on their new eatery at Old North State Food Hall. __________________________________________________________________________________Selma, NC ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Economic, Business, Community, Human Interest
.png){kind=logo}
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Smithfield, N.C. — The Clayton Women in Networking (WIN) organization has presented a check to the Johnston County Community Foundation in support of a Leadership Johnston Scholarship. This contribution reflects Clayton WIN’s ongoing commitment to fostering leadership and community involvement across Johnston County.
Leadership Johnston, a program of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, ...read more
Categories: Business, Economic, Chamber, Press Release
Thursday, October 02, 2025
Smithfield, NC — The corner of Market Street and 3rd Street N in Downtown Smithfield is about to get a major makeover. This October, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) will break ground on a new community park, transforming the site’s overgrown and outdated landscaping into a more accessible, family-friendly destination.
The project is a collaboration between the DSDC, the ...read more
Categories: Community, Economic, Press Release
Thursday, October 02, 2025
The federal government shutdown is creating significant challenges for businesses nationwide, from delayed SBA loans to halted federal contracts. These disruptions threaten growth, delay opportunities, and create uncertainty for business leaders and their communities.
With Congress failing to reach a funding agreement by September 30, 2025, a government shutdown has begun. This will halt ...read more
Categories: Economic, Political, Business, General News Article
Thursday, October 02, 2025
Duke Energy filed its biennial long-range energy modernization plan for its dual-state system with the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
The 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan is Duke Energy’s road map to serve customer growth needs while protecting reliability and keeping costs as low as possible. Customer bill impacts for the proposed plan are projected to average 2.1% annually over the coming ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release, Business, Economic
Johnston Community College and County Leaders Cut Ribbon on Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility
Friday, September 26, 2025
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 ...read more
Categories: Business, Economic, Education
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
The US Chamber of Commerce in partnership with AEI Housing Center recently released Strong Foundations: A Playbook for Housing and Economic Growth- a first of its kind resource offering data informed insights and practical strategies tailed to thousands of local jurisdictions- including Johnston County.
The Johnston County playbook provides insight into housing supply, affordability, migration ...read more
Categories: Economic, Business
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Statewide, visitor spending in 2024 rose 3.1% to reach a record $36.7 billion. Direct tourism employment increased 1.4% to 230,338. These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2024,” a study funded, contracted, and released by Visit NC. In Johnston County, visitors spent $314.59 million in 2024, which is a 5.2% increase over 2023 spending.Visitors to the ...read more
Categories: Economic, Business
Thursday, September 04, 2025
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 ...read more
Categories: Business, Economic, General News Article, Community, Education, Press Release
Monday, August 25, 2025
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 ...read more
Categories: Economic, Education, Fun Facts, General News Article, Press Release, Community
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The US Chamber of Commerce released a report on small businesses use of artificial intelligence The report found approximately 50% of businesses in the state have adopted use of AI. However, business leaders have concerns over data privacy and regulations.
The report found that use of AI has helped small business owners cope with inflation and supply chain disruption as well as improved access ...read more
Categories: Economic, Business, General News Article
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
The US Chamber has published a guide for small businesses to help them maximize savings from the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This guide helps companies better understand provisions of the law, including permanent deductions, enhanced credits, and expanded eligibility criteria.
Small business owners can take advantage of these tax breaks starting now for expenses dating back to ...read more
Categories: Business, Economic
.png){kind=logo}
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
More than a local initiative, Chamber foundations have become a national best practice—empowering chambers across the country to tackle big-picture challenges like workforce readiness, small business resilience, and inclusive economic growth. By establishing our Foundation 14 years ago, we positioned ourselves ahead of the curve, recognizing early on that a 501(c)(3) arm would allow us to access ...read more
Categories: Business, Community, Economic, Chamber, Press Release
.jpg){kind=logo}
Tuesday, April 01, 2025
The Triangle East Economic Development Foundation and the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce hosted Workforce Housing: Understanding the Challenge, Creating Solutions, the Foundation’s inaugural event, addressing workforce housing challenges and their impact on local businesses.
The event took place at First Baptist Church of Smithfield on April 1st. Panelists included:
Jill Homan, President of ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Economic, Business, Community, Press Release
