News for Press Release
Saturday, September 19, 2026
SELMA, N.C. - One of North Carolina's longest-standing road races is reaching a major milestone this fall as the 50th Annual Boys & Girls Club / Selma Railroad Days 5K returns on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Recognized as North Carolina's longest-running 5K race, the Selma Railroad Days 5K has been a community tradition for five decades. Known for its flat, fast course, the race attracts ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Education, Community, Press Release
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Culver’s Brings ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard to Smithfield-Selma Area
Selma, North Carolina, June 29, 2026 – A slice of small-town Wisconsin is coming to Selma, NC! Culver’s, known for Dairyland delicacies like ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard, will make its debut to the Smithfield-Selma area on Monday, July 13, 2026 – adding one more to its list of locations across 26 ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release, Fun Facts, Community
Johnston County Helps Triangle Land Conservancy Permanently Protect 800 Acres of Rare Neuse River Wi
Monday, June 29, 2026
Smithfield, N.C.- Earlier this month, the Triangle Land Conservancy acquired more than 800 acres of ecologically significant land along the Neuse River, a major conservation achievement made possible by the support of Johnston County.
The property, known as Neuse Islands Wilderness, is the second-largest single land acquisition in Triangle Land Conservancy history. Johnston County contributed ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
.png)
Friday, June 26, 2026
Smithfield, N.C.- Johnston County will celebrate the grand opening of its first park on Friday, July 24. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. at 444 Matthews Road, Clayton, in the County’s Cleveland community. The event is free and open to the public.
"The opening of Johnston County Regional Park marks an important milestone for Johnston County," said Patrick Harris, chairman of the ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
FOUR OAKS, N.C. – Brightspeed and Johnston Community College (JCC) are continuing their partnership to help prepare the next generation of broadband professionals through specialized fiber optic training opportunities in Johnston County.
JCC will offer its Fiber Optic Broadband Technician Course (Course Section ID# 83215 – SEF 3001-250U) July 20–23, 2026, at the college's Four Oaks Campus. ...read more
Categories: Press Release
Monday, June 22, 2026
JUNIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE OF SMITHFIELD AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
TO CLASS OF 2026 MEMBERS
Smithfield, N.C. -- The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield has awarded scholarships to five
incredible young women who are seniors at Johnston County high schools.
The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield established the JWL Scholarship in 2019 to advance
its mission of fostering women’s leadership by empowering ...read more
Categories: Community, Chamber, Press Release, Education
Monday, June 22, 2026
Downtown Smithfield Welcomes Once Upon A Crime with Grand Opening Celebration June 27
SMITHFIELD, NC – Downtown Smithfield is excited to welcome a new chapter to its growing business community with the grand opening of Once Upon A Crime, an independent bookstore specializing in thriller, suspense, mystery, and crime fiction while also offering a variety of books across many other genres. The ...read more
Categories: Education, Community, Business, Press Release, Human Interest, Chamber
Monday, June 22, 2026
Triangle East Chamber Launches Emerging Leaders Professional Development Workshop
Employers invest millions in technical training. This workshop focuses on the professional skills that often determine who advances into leadership.
SMITHFIELD, NC – The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with MD Fields Consulting, is offering a new professional development opportunity designed ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Business, Community, Press Release
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Smithfield, N.C.- The Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Monday adopted a $434.9 million budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.The final spending plan includes a one-cent cut in Johnston County’s property tax rate — from 52 to 51 cents per $100 valuation. That means the typical homeowner will see a lower County tax bill in the year ahead.
Even with the tax cut, Commissioners ...read more
Categories: Education, Press Release, Community
Downtown Smithfield Invites Community to Celebrate America's 250th with Independence Day Celebration
Monday, June 15, 2026
SMITHFIELD, NC – Downtown Smithfield is ready to celebrate America's 250th birthday in style with an evening of family fun, patriotic pride, great entertainment, and small-town charm on Thursday, July 3, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Downtown Smithfield Independence Day Celebration promises something for everyone, with FREE activities and entertainment throughout the evening. Visitors ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Monday, June 15, 2026
CLAYTON, N.C. – Applications are now open for the 2027 class of LaunchJOCO, Johnston County’s premiere entrepreneurial development program. Individuals interested in starting or growing a small business may apply online at https://launchjoco.org/.
LaunchJOCO equips Johnston County entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and connections needed for long-term success.
Students receive ...read more
Categories: Education, Chamber, Community, Press Release
Monday, June 15, 2026
Johnston County’s premier leadership development program seeks professionals committed to growing their leadership capacity and strengthening their impact in the community.
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Leadership Johnston program, an immersive leadership development experience designed to cultivate informed, engaged, and connected leaders throughout ...read more
Categories: Business, Chamber, Education, Press Release
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Craig Olive, Johnston County Register of Deeds, announced Tuesday that his 17 th annual Shred
Event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 9:00AM – 12:00PM. The event is free to
the public and will be held in the parking lot of Rose Manor Shopping Center, located at 1519
W. Market St, Smithfield, NC. This year’s event is also sponsored by Local Government
Federal Credit Union, Civic ...read more
Categories: Business, Community, Press Release, Chamber
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
ARCHER LODGE, NC – Johnston County Little League (JCLL) invites you to come out and enjoy youth athletics as they host the Little League District Softball Tournament at Archer Lodge Town Park June 19-21, 2026. Participating teams include Johnston County, Wilmington, and two teams from Durham. Divisions are split into 8u, 10u, and 12u.
Games begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19th. Championship ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Community
.png)
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Smithfield, NC – Johnston County is asking water customers to voluntarily conserve water as ongoing drought conditions and low river levels continue to affect the County’s primary water supply.
The voluntary conservation request is intended to help protect available water resources while ensuring there is sufficient capacity for essential needs such as drinking water, healthcare services, ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Community
Tuesday, June 09, 2026
SMITHFIELD, NC — Secure your spot at Johnston County’s premier 8th-grade career expo! Featured on WRAL, JOCO WORKS WOW (November 5–6, 2026) is an immersive experience where students explore career paths through hands-on activities with local employers. Led by the JOCO WORKS Collaborative, with the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce at the helm, this initiative directly helps build the local ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release, Education, Chamber
Tuesday, June 09, 2026
Photo Courtesy of Johnston County Report
SELMA, N.C. — The Selma Town Council voted 4-1 on June 4 to hire Phillip McDaniel as the town’s next manager, selecting the longtime fire chief and interim manager to lead the town on a permanent basis.
A lifelong Selma resident, McDaniel has served as the town’s fire chief since 2007 and has held stints as interim town manager since 2023. He most ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Friday, June 05, 2026
The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Carolina Packers and its iconic Bright Leaf Hot Dogs on being featured in a recent article by Southern Living highlighting the story behind North Carolina’s beloved red hot dogs. The article celebrates Bright Leaf’s 85 years of tradition, community impact, and deep roots in Johnston County and Eastern North Carolina.
As a longtime ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release, Community
Thursday, June 04, 2026
What Is Adobe Firefly?
Adobe Firefly is a standalone web application focused on generative artificial intelligence for visual content creation. It works by converting text descriptions into images, vector graphics, and video elements through an intuitive browser interface. The platform delivers standard digital file formats like JPEG and MP4, and all features out of beta are fully cleared for ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release, Chamber, General News Article
Thursday, June 04, 2026
Hurricane season officially begins June 1st and continues through November 30th. The
Smithfield Fire Department is encouraging residents to take steps now to prepare for
severe weather before a storm threatens our community.
While Smithfield is located inland, hurricanes and tropical storms can still bring
significant impacts to Johnston County, including flooding, tornadoes, damaging ...read more
Categories: Community, General News Article, Press Release
Monday, June 01, 2026
(SMITHFIELD, NC) – KS Bank celebrated a major milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new branch facility in Wendell on Thursday, May 28th. The modernized branch represents a significant investment in the Wendell area which the bank has served since 2007 and reflects its continued growth and commitment to local customers.
The ceremony featured remarks from the Wendell Chamber of ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release, Community
.jpg)
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Triangle East Chamber Launches Business Resilience Program with Duke Energy Grant to Help Local Businesses Prepare for DisastersSmithfield, NC (April 2026) – The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Johnston Community College Small Business Center, is proud to announce the launch of the Johnston County Business Resilience Program, a three-part workshop series designed to ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Chamber
Monday, April 20, 2026
Effective customer engagement means consistently showing up for your customers in ways that make them feel heard, valued, and connected to your business — not just at the point of sale, but before and after. For small businesses in Johnston County, where community trust and word-of-mouth carry real weight, strong engagement isn't just good practice: it's a competitive advantage. Research cited ...read more
Categories: Chamber, General News Article, Community, Press Release
Thursday, April 16, 2026
KS BANK EXPANDING THEIR COMMUNITY-FOCUSED BRAND OF BANKING TO LILLINGTON, NC(SMITHFIELD, NC) – KS Bank is expanding its community-focused brand of banking to Lillington, NC. The bank recently purchased property at 709 W. Front Street in Lillington, where it intends to operate the new branch. KS Bank has received regulatory approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is pending ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release, Community
Friday, April 03, 2026
KS BANK EARNS 5-STAR RATING FROM NATIONAL BANK RATING FIRM
(SMITHFIELD, NC) – Bauer Financial, the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm, would like to congratulate KS Bank for earning a 5-Star Superior rating for the 41st consecutive quarter. Having maintained its financial strength and stability for ten years (40 consecutive quarters), KS Bank has also earned an “Exceptional Performance Bank” ...read more
Categories: General News Article, Business, Community, Press Release
Thursday, March 19, 2026
When a business faces financial distress, the fastest path back to stability starts with a clear-eyed look at the numbers — not a reflexive cut across the board. Most turnarounds follow the same sequence: identify the critical issues, reduce the burn, renegotiate what you can, and keep your team together long enough to recover. For Johnston County's 568+ chamber member businesses, those steps ...read more
Categories: Chamber, General News Article, Community, Press Release
Friday, March 06, 2026
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 ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Community, General News Article, Press Release, Economic
Thursday, March 05, 2026
In the digital age, trust is currency, and credibility is infrastructure. Every business—whether a local service provider or a global SaaS company—must earn confidence through what it shows, how it communicates, and how it behaves online. Clients do not just evaluate your offer; they evaluate your signals.Key Takeaways For Earning Digital Trust
Clear communication reduces uncertainty and ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release, Chamber, General News Article
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today announced that community banker Earl W. Worley, Jr., President/CEO of KS Bank was re-elected to the ICBA Federal Delegate Board.
"Community banks play a vital role in helping families thrive and small businesses grow," said Worley. “I’m proud to work with ICBA to advance policies and initiatives that protect and empower these institutions ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Business
Friday, January 30, 2026
Every small business owner in the Triangle East region knows that cash flow isn’t simply an accounting concept—it’s the operational pulse that keeps the business running smoothly. When cash cycles are predictable, planning becomes easier, growth becomes realistic, and stress becomes manageable. Below is a brisk summary of what follows.
How to forecast revenue and expenses with enough accuracy ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release, Chamber, General News Article
Monday, January 12, 2026
Local businesses across the Triangle East region face a pivotal moment: customers now form impressions long before they walk through your doors. Modernizing your digital presence isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about creating a trustworthy, easy-to-navigate experience that reflects how people actually search and make decisions in 2026.
Learn below:
Why mobile-first customer journeys matter ...read more
Categories: General News Article, Community, Press Release
Friday, November 28, 2025
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
Categories: Chamber, General News Article, Community, Press Release
Monday, November 24, 2025
Starting or scaling a marketing firm is a thrilling pursuit — but success doesn’t come from creative ideas alone. It’s built on the foundation of predictable systems, disciplined financial management, strong teams, and trust-based client relationships. Whether you’re serving local businesses in Johnston County or expanding across North Carolina, understanding these fundamentals will help you ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Community, General News Article, Press Release
Friday, October 17, 2025
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
Categories: Chamber, Community, General News Article, Press Release
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
KS BANK WELCOMES TRAVIS B. BAILEY AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
(SMITHFIELD, N.C.) – KS Bank, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Travis B. Bailey to its Senior Executive Management team as the Chief Administrative Officer. In this role, Bailey will lead the bank’s retail branches and management and ensure that KS Bank continues to deliver exceptional service ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release
.jpg)
Monday, August 11, 2025
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 ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Press Release, Business, General News Article
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
KS BANK CELEBRATES NEW FULL-SERVICE BRANCH IN BAILEY, NC WITH OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY(SMITHFIELD, NC) – KS Bank hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 24th, to celebrate the bank’s new Bailey branch. The ceremony featured remarks from Leigh Deans, with the Bailey Chamber of Commerce, Owen Strickland, Mayor of Bailey, Walter Wells, Mayor Pro-tem of Bailey, Earl W. Worley, Jr., ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release
Thursday, May 22, 2025
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 ...read more
Categories: Chamber, General News Article, Business, Community, Press Release
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes.
While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible ...read more
Categories: Community, General News Article, Chamber, Press Release
Friday, December 01, 2023
Bridge over I-95 at Exit 95 will be upgraded
SMITHFIELD – The U.S. 70 Business bridge over Interstate 95 at Exit 95 will be reconstructed into a taller, longer and wider structure, thanks to a new $38.3 million contract.
The two-lane bridge over I-95 will be replaced with a five-lane bridge with a sidewalk. In addition, the on/off ramps will be reconfigured to meet modern standards, and ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Community, Press Release
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
The Education Committee of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce honored seven local elementary school teachers on November 3 at its semi-annual Semester SuperStars Luncheon at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Smithfield.
These teachers were nominated by their principals and recognized as outstanding educators in the Smithfield-Selma area. The teachers were given a plaque and a bag full ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Press Release, Education
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
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
Categories: Chamber, Community, Human Interest, Press Release
