News for Press Release
Thursday, April 02, 2026
SMITHFIELD, NC — The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) is proud to celebrate Smithfield resident Todd Johnson, Director of the Heritage Foundation and the Smithfield Historic Foundation, on being named one of North Carolina’s 2025 Main Street Champions.
Johnson was among 42 honorees recognized on March 12 during the North Carolina Main Street Champions Recognition Ceremony in ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Community
Thursday, April 02, 2026
Four Oaks, N.C., March 3, 2026 — CommWell Health, a large private nonprofit Community Health Center, announced today the appointment of Tamara Dunn, MBA, BSHCA, RN, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Dunn was selected following a rigorous evaluation process led by CommWell Health’s Board of Directors. Ms. Dunn currently serves as Senior Executive Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, and ...read more
Categories: Press Release
Monday, March 30, 2026
Smithfield, NC – Get ready, Johnston County! The Ham & Yam Festival is back, and this year we’re celebrating 40 years of small-town fun, food, and community spirit. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 2nd—it’s going to be a day to remember!
Kick off the festivities with the 5K timed run, then grab a ham biscuit from the Kiwanis Club, made with Stevens hams just like they have been since the ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Community
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 13, 2026
What began as a rural night clinic in 1976 has grown into a 13-location health system serving more than 26,000 patients each year across southeastern North Carolina.FOUR OAKS, NC - In 1976, a small group of community leaders in rural Sampson County did something simple and consequential: they opened a night clinic to bring primary care to people who had none. Fifty years later, that humble evening ...read more
Categories: Business, Community, Press Release
Friday, March 13, 2026
The nonprofit writers’ group Neuse River Writers welcomed two new board members in the first quarter of 2026.
Tom Young of Clayton joined the board as Vice President. He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the North Carolina Poetry Society, and the North Carolina Writers Network. Young enjoys writing poetry and short stories primarily in children’s and animal ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Friday, March 13, 2026
Smithfield, N.C.- On March 23 at 6:00 p.m., the Johnston County Board of Commissioners will host a Town Hall meeting to present the draft Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), address community questions, and gather public feedback. The meeting will take place at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, located at 2736 N.C. 210 in Smithfield, N.C. There will be no vote on the UDO at this ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Friday, March 13, 2026
High school young women in Johnston County are invited to step into the spotlight and showcase their "spunk and moxie" at the upcoming "The Essence of Ava: Ham & Yam Scholarship Spotlight." Taking place on April 25th, this unique pageant-style competition celebrates more than just grace; it honors the enduring spirit of Johnston County’s own Hollywood legend, Ava Gardner. The winner will be ...read more
Categories: Press Release, Community
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
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, ...read more
Categories: Chamber, Press Release, Business, Education
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
SMITHFIELD, NC - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) honored 26 employees in various roles throughout the school district at the inaugural Spotlight on Excellence Employee of the Year Ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Honorees and their guests gathered at the Johnston County Agriculture Center in Smithfield for an evening filled with elegance, smiles, and gratitude in celebration of the ...read more
Categories: Education, Press Release
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Town of Smithfield will host a joint meeting with Town’s DOT Task Force to discuss
upcoming roadway and traffic changes affecting downtown. The meeting will be held on
Monday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Smithfield Town Hall Council Chambers, 350 W. Market
Street. Downtown business owners and interested residents are encouraged to attend.
NCDOT has announced plans to remove on-street ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Town of Smithfield is proud to announce two key additions to its leadership team: Tracy Stubblefield as Finance Director and Brent Ashley Reck as Planning Director. Together, they bring decades of public-sector experience and a strong commitment to serving communities across North Carolina.Tracy Stubblefield Named Finance Director
Stubblefield brings 26 years of accounting experience, ...read more
Categories: 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: Economic, Chamber, Community, General News Article, Press Release
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: Chamber, General News Article, Community, Press Release
Friday, February 27, 2026
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 ...read more
Categories: Business, Chamber, Community, Education, Human Interest, Press Release
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Selma, N.C., Feb. 26, 2026 - AdVenture Development celebrated the ribbon-cutting for LongHorn Steakhouse, joined by Selma Mayor Byron McAllister, Johnston County Commissioner Michael Rose, Darden corporate representatives, and 50+ ambassadors of Triangle East Chamber. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the third national restaurant opening at Eastfield, the 435-acre, 3 million-square-foot ...read more
Categories: Business, Community, Economic, Human Interest, Press Release
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Smithfield, NC – The Junior Women's League of Smithfield invites the community to attend JWL’s BNO BINGO Night, an exciting evening in support of a great cause. The 11th Annual Big Night Out, proudly presented by Father & Son Contracting LLC, will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Johnston County Agricultural Center in Smithfield.
Guests will enjoy a high-energy night of bingo ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Smithfield, NC – Downtown Smithfield is set to come alive with color, culture, and community spirit during the 2nd Annual Celebrate Smithfield on Saturday, March 14, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This exciting, family-friendly event is FREE to the community.
Celebrate Smithfield invites residents and visitors to “see the world” without ever leaving town. The event highlights the diverse cultures ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
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, February 20, 2026
Four Oaks, N.C., February 17, 2026 — CommWell Health announced today that Pamela M. Tripp, MEd, MSOM, will retire from her role as Chief Executive Officer in July 2026, concluding a distinguished decades-long career marked by visionary leadership, national recognition, and a steadfast commitment to advancing community health.
Tripp has served CommWell Health with distinction for nearly 18 years, ...read more
Categories: Business, Press Release, Community
Friday, February 13, 2026
SELMA, NC — Activate Selma, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose focus is revitalizing downtown Selma, is proud to announce its newly elected Officers for the 2026 term.
As the organization enters its most ambitious year yet—featuring the signature "Rockin’ on Raiford" concert series and a robust calendar of community-building initiatives—the new leadership team brings a diverse range of professional ...read more
Categories: Community, Press Release
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: Community, Press Release, General News Article
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
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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: Business, General News Article, Chamber, Press Release
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
