Facility Will Add More Than $73 Million to Johnston County’s Economic Output Edgewater Ventures, a Raleigh-based commercial real estate investment and development firm with nearly 2.7 million square-feet of existing assets, will build a 501,120 square-foot Class A distribution facility in close proximity to the Interstate 40 and Interstate 95 interchange in Benson. The company’s $40 million investment will be the initial development of what will ultimately result in nearly 1.1 million square-feet of Class A industrial space that will be known as Crosspoint Logistics Center. At just over 500,000 square-feet, the first phase will be the largest speculative industrial facility ever constructed within the Raleigh-Durham MSA.  Company projections indicate that the facility could employ as many as 300 workers after it becomes operational in the first quarter of 2023. The second phase would more than double Crosspoint’s square footage and workforce. Earlier today, Johnston County’s Board of Commissioners approved a performance-based incentive agreement in support of Crosspoint Logistics Center. The facility will add $73,351,891 in annual output to the county’s economy, according to an economic impact study by economist Michael Walden, PhD. “We continue to see steady, shared growth throughout Johnston County as we look forward to the development of Crosspoint…

JoCoCareers.org Aims to Fine-Tune Johnston County’s Labor Market Johnston County is one of the state’s fastest growing counties in terms of population and employment. A website – JoCoCareers.org — launched earlier this month seeks to align new jobs and workers, and reduce the high number of county residents who commute to neighboring towns and cities. County leaders hope the new resource also will alleviate workforce shortages that Johnston County businesses, like those across the state and nation, currently face as the economy sorts out post-pandemic opportunities and challenges. The latest jobs data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that as of November 2021, Johnston County’s unemployment rate was a scant 2.9 percent, slightly above that of Wake County (2.7 percent), but well below those of neighboring Harnett (3.8 percent), Nash (4.6 percent) and Wilson counties (4.9 percent). At the same time, data from the N.C. Department of Commerce shows that 47,744 Johnston County workers – some 51.5 percent of the local workforce – commute to positions outside the county. “Ours is a county in rapid transition,” explains Chris Johnston, director of the Johnston County Office of Economic Development. “We are a popular destination for new residents and home to an expanding base…

The County received bids on October 7, 2021 for the Ingrams Township Water District 2018-2019 Hydraulic Improvements project. The proposed project is included in the County’s previously approved Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Plan, and the Ingrams Township Water District Board accepted a loan offer for the project on May 4, 2020. Ralph Hodge Construction Co. of Wilson, NC submitted the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $2,535,563.50. Ralph Hodge Construction Co. is properly licensed and experienced in the type of construction involved and appears to have the financial, labor and equipment resources required to complete the construction within the stipulated contract completion time. The board approved Staff’s recommendation to award the Ingrams Township Water District 2018-2019 Hydraulic Improvements project to Ralph Hodge Construction Co. in the amount of $2,535,563.50 and adoption of the award resolution contingent upon funding agency approval, approval of the revised project budget, and adoption of the Capital Project Ordinance

A public hearing was held at the November 1 Commissioners meeting to discuss a proposed economic development incentive grant. See the main points below: A) A company proposes to develop and build a 100,000+/- square foot spec building and develop, build, and equip 32,488.56 square feet of the spec building for manufacturing facilities off Hwy 70 in the Wilson’s Mills township of Johnston County. The company has proposed the development in Johnston County in exchange for certain economic incentives in the form of annual cash grants paid from general County funds over a five-year period beginning after required investments have been made and new jobs have been created and a lease for the unused spec space as described in (B) below… B) Johnston County proposes to participate in the cost of an economic development project through a lease of 68,886.31 square feet of a newly constructed spec building off Hwy 70 in the Wilson’s Mills Township of Johnston County. The Johnston County Board of Commissioners intend to pay up to eleven thousand four hundred eighty-one and 05/100ths dollars ($11,481.05) per month, for a lease of a spec building, for up to twenty-four (24) months for a maximum total not to…

The County received bids on October 7, 2021 for construction of the 210 Wastewater Treatment Facility. The proposed project is included in the County’s previously approved Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Plan and required for additional wastewater treatment capacity within the County’s system. The Board of Commissioners accepted a loan offer on June 21, 2021 for the project in the amount of $83,351,542.00 Adams Robinson Enterprises, Inc. of Dayton, OH submitted the lowest responsive base bid in the amount of $69,131,000.50. The bid form included several options for deductive and additive alternates. Adams Robinson Enterprises, Inc. is properly licensed and experienced in the type of construction involved and appears to have the financial, labor and equipment resources required to complete the construction within the stipulated contract completion time.  The board approved Staff’s recommendation to award the 210 Wastewater Treatment Facility project to Adams Robinson Enterprises Co. in the amount of $68,754,000.00 (based on base bid with item A-3 deduct) and adoption of the award resolution contingent upon funding agency approval, approval of the revised project budget, and adoption of the Capital Project Ordinance.

The County provides bulk wastewater transmission and treatment services for the Town of Four Oaks. The County receives the majority of the flow at the County’s Four Oaks Equalization and Wastewater Pump Station located at 400 Fawnbrook Drive. Under normal operation, the existing facility pumps flow through an 8” force main to the Town of Benson WWTF. However, existing piping at the site allows for flow diversion to the County’s existing WWTF, in the event of an emergency. In order to accommodate additional future flow from the Town of Four Oaks, system improvements are necessary for the station to pump simultaneously in both directions. Therefore, staff recommends consulting with a professional engineering firm to evaluate the maximum flow capacity that can be conveyed through the existing force mains in both directions and evaluate infrastructure improvements to achieve maximum capacity at the WWPS. The proposed project budget for the evaluation and preliminary design totals $80,000.

Johnston County, N.C. – The pandemic has sparked an entrepreneurial wave, and Johnston County is getting out ahead of the tide. Started on September 1, Launch JoCo is seeking small-business owners looking to take their firms to the next level. The highly collaborative program is being organized by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, which is now reaching out to potential participants, as well as business mentors and program sponsors. “We’re offering lots of opportunities to be involved,” says Dana Wooten, president and CEO of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. The “LaunchMyCity” model, which incorporates coursework, networking, mentorship and access to micro-finance, began in Detroit and spread to Wake County several years ago. Those programs were closely associated with local Rotary Clubs. While Johnston County Rotary Clubs are among the key partners, the convening role being played by the Clayton Chamber’s foundation marks a new spin on the increasingly popular model. “Every town in Wake County now has a Launch project,” Wooten says. “Now we can take it on in Johnston County.” In partnership with Johnston Community College’s Small Business Center, Launch JoCo participants will complete classroom-based business training alongside valuable networking opportunities. Classes at the SBC’s Entrepreneur Academy will begin…

SELMA, NC – Activate Selma has been selected as one of Lowes 100 Hometowns, a $10 million initiative to celebrate Lowe’s centennial by completing 100 community impact projects across the United States by the end of the year. The nonprofit group’s winning impact project is “Activate Selma: Downtown and Edgebrook Park Community Improvements.” The group and the Town of Selma will be working with Lowe’s in Smithfield. Selma Mayor Cheryl Oliver urged the group to apply for the Lowe’s competition in March. Activate Selma is a grassroots group of residents, volunteers, and business owners who are “revitalizing and uplifting their beloved rail community and all it has to offer.” They meet weekly with the vision statement: “We don’t complain, we take action!” Activate Selma’s application, partnering with the Town of Selma, was one of more than 2,200 submissions Lowe’s received from across the country. As finalists, Cindy Brookshire and Jeffery Hamilton of Activate Selma and Billy Roach, Director of Selma’s Parks & Recreation Department, met with Lowe’s representatives in June to go over the proposed project sites and grant budget. Lowe’s announced Activate Selma’s selection July 21. The Town of Selma and Activate Selma began sharing the news at Activate Selma’s 9 am…

The Triangle East Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new, county-wide job board that will serve Johnston County businesses and local residents. Over the course of the past few months, the Triangle East Chamber became increasingly aware of the workforce shortage in  Johnston County and began actively working to provide solutions for businesses. In response to the need, the Chamber has launched a job board, free for employers and job seekers. This hub is the only job site focused exclusively on businesses in Johnston County and it will connect employers to the people they need on their teams. Numbers from the most current census show that over 65,000 residents leave Johnston County every day to work elsewhere. The Johnston County Job Board provides a way for those employees to see the variety of opportunities available in their own communities. If the citizens in Johnston County say goodbye to their commute and “Take the Road Home”, their quality of life will improve and the local workforce struggle will begin to resolve. This tool is a simple, efficient way for businesses to make County residents aware of the careers waiting for them close to home. Please visit www.johnstoncountyncjobs.com to sign…