News
Project’s Construction Will Stir More Than $21.5 Million in Economic Impact Johnston County, N.C. – June 7, 2021. Bartlett Milling, part of Kansas City-based Savage Enterprises, will launch a major expansion at its mill operations in the Johnston County town of Wilson’s Mills. The company will invest as much as $28 million in expanding and upgrading its production facility at 5000 Wilson’s Mills Road. Bartlett’s initial hiring plans initially call for at least five new employees with additional possible hiring based on production demand. The company anticipates paying average annual salaries that will meaningfully exceed the county’s overall average wage. All full-time positions come with full benefits. “Congratulations to this growing global company on the success that has led to this major expansion,” said Chad M. Stewart, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. “Agribusiness and food processing have long been a central part of Johnston County’s economy, and today’s announcement by Bartlett Milling is strong evidence that the sector is alive and well here.” Bartlett Milling is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., and has been in continuous business for 114 years. Bartlett Milling in Johnston County produces a full line of commercial patent flours for bakeries, restaurants and…
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Johnston County, N.C. – Amazon.com, the Seattle-based e-retailing pioneer, will launch a state-of-the-art import processing center in Smithfield, creating more than 500 jobs which offer a starting wage of $15 an hour and comprehensive benefits beginning on the first day of employment. The 620,000-sq.-ft. (57,600 sq.-m.) cross-dock warehousing facility expected to launch operations in 2022, will receive products into the company’s fulfillment network and ready them for shipment to consumers. County and municipal leaders joined company officials in making the announcement at a joint meeting held earlier today at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatic Center. “Amazon’s selection of Johnston County for this important new facility will bring accessible job opportunities, local tax-base and economic diversification to Smithfield and beyond, and it marks a major win for our community,” said Chad Stewart, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. “We welcome the arrival of this gamechanging company and are deeply grateful for the positive impact it will make here.” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also welcomed the company’s decision in a prepared statement. “Amazon has found a home in North Carolina and we are excited about this latest announcement for Smithfield,” Governor Cooper said. “Our world-class workforce is ready to…
Read Moreby Fred Smith With Earth Day near, sustainability is top-of-mind. As a rancher, I am proud that I provide both high-quality beef for consumers today, and maintain the land to provide a better future for generations to come. At Fred Smith Company Ranch, my goal is to raise cattle that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable for my ranch, my fellow ranchers and the community as a whole. I use a variety of sustainability practices to sequester carbon and maintain the open space on my ranch, which is located just outside of Raleigh. The cattle raised graze on forage and are fed entirely with feed that can not be used for human consumption – taking byproducts that would otherwise go to waste and turning them into a protein source. Today, we’re able to produce more beef with a smaller carbon footprint because of the improvements we have made in resource use and land management. This type of ingenuity and resourcefulness is practiced by farmers and ranchers all over the country. I’m committed to continuous improvement so that we can produce the beef consumers know and love, while preserving our natural resources. It’s a practice that will allow us to continue…
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Johnston County Emergency Services encourages community members to register for JOCO Alerts to receive emergency notifications and to have a plan in place for severe weather as well as other emergency events. Those registered for the system will receive timely information regarding emergency situations in their area. To register for JOCO Alerts go to www.johnstonnc.com/alerts. Should you have any questions regarding this service or assistance in setting up your account, please contact 919-989-5050 and emergency services staff can assist you with the registration process.
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At a special called session on March 22, the Johnston County Board of Education voted to return students in grades 6-12 on Plan A. Effective April 12, any student who is currently receiving face-to-face instruction will attend every day except Wednesdays, which will continue to be used for deep cleaning and sanitizing. As a result of this board action, a calendar change was necessary, making Wednesday, March 31 an in-person learning day for students in grades PreK-5 as well as students in grades 6-12 in Cohort B. Thursday, April 1 is now a remote learning day for all students. Wellness checks and mask-wearing will continue to be required safety measures. Please also know that virtual instruction continues to be an option. Parents will be contacted by Wednesday, March 24 by their school with specific instructions.
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[JoCo Report] — Members of VFW Post 5886 in Smithfield recognized Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell on Tuesday, March 2nd with the 2021 VFW Public Servant Award for Law Enforcement. Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars selects law enforcement and emergency services personnel to receive the VFW Public Servant Awards. Click here to read the full article from the Johnston County Report
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RALEIGH, NC— Johnston County was well represented recently by leaders from across the County participating in the NC Rural Center’s Homegrown Leaders program. Johnston County Commissioner Butch Lawter, Benson Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Loretta Byrd and Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation Executive Director Sarah Edwards graduated last month from the program, a three-day regional leadership and economic development program that develops and supports highly-motivated leaders who are committed to building regional collaboration across multi-county regions in the state. For the past two years, Homegrown Leaders has served Western North Carolina. Over the next two years, however, the leadership and economic development training program will cover a 42-county region in Eastern North Carolina. The second virtual training of the series, held February 24-26, 2021, attracted existing and emerging leaders from an eight-county region that included Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Johnston, Jones, Onslow, Sampson, and Wayne counties. Homegrown Leaders typically meets in-person, but was held virtually due to the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. “Restructuring the course curriculum for online delivery was certainly challenging, but how we ultimately convened the training underscored the critical importance of innovation in leadership development and regional collaboration,” said Rural Center Senior Director of Leadership and…
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WASHINGTON — At the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) virtual Winter Business Meeting, the states making up NCBA Region ll elected Fred Smith Jr., from Clayton, NC, to the position of Region ll Vice President for Policy during their regional caucus. The vision of NCBA is to be the trusted leader and definitive voice of the U.S. cattle and beef industry. As an organization NCBA strives to improve business climate for producers, grow beef demand, and increase the world’s access to beef. Throughout their three-year terms NCBA Regional Vice Presidents serve as chair of their regional membership committee. Regional Vice Presidents play a critical role in coordinating regional member activities. They also coordinate regional activities and communications with the Federation Division Regional Vice Presidents from their respective regions. “I’m looking forward to working with farmers and ranchers in Region II and supporting NCBA to create a better business climate for cattle industry producers while building demand for beef customers,” said Smith. Smith was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and received his law degree from Wake Forest University. Fred began raising cattle in the 1970’s. He currently owns and runs FSC Ranch in Clayton, NC, a seedstock cattle ranch that…
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Bryce Womble, a junior at Cleveland High School, was recognized at the February Johnston County Board of Education meeting for being named a student advisor to the North Carolina State Board of Education (NCSBE). Womble applied for the position of student advisor after seeing the application on social media because he wants to make sure the voices of NC students’ voices are heard. “I hope my role as a student advisor can help further education in North Carolina,” said Womble. The NCSBE is responsible for supervising and administering the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support. The policies they develop set the direction for all aspects of the NC Department of Public Instruction and local public school organization and operations. The application process began with several questions concerning education and what he would do to improve education in North Carolina. Womble, one of more than one hundred applicants, was selected for an interview. He was asked questions about complex issues concerning education and what his viewpoints were on these items. As one of two student advisors in the state on the board, he will serve a two-year term. Student advisors do not vote on agenda…
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County Leaders Congratulate One of JoCo’s Largest Employers Johnston County, N.C. – Novo Nordisk, which currently employs 1,200 workers in Johnston County, has been recognized as one of North Carolina’s top exporters. State officials presented the bio-manufacturing company with the 2020 Governor’s Export Award at a virtual event hosted earlier today by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The Denmark-based leader in diabetes therapeutics was among 11 North Carolina exporters recognized, sharing honors for Top Large Business Exporter with specialty textile manufacturer Glen Raven. “Congratulations to our partners at Novo Nordisk for winning this prestigious award,” said Chad M. Stewart, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. “People around the world are benefiting from the work of this prominent Johnston County employer, and we’re proud to have such a high-quality global company succeeding and expanding in our county.” Novo Nordisk’s Diabetes Finished Products (DFP) facility in Clayton engages in the formulation, filling, inspection, assembly and packaging of diabetes and obesity medicines. The site opened in 1993. In August 2015, the company announced a $2 billion facility nearby that will produce Diabetes Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (DAPI) for a range of current and future diabetes and obesity medications. That…
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