News

Flowers Plantation to Host First-Ever Flowers Business Expo on October 22

FLOWERS, NC – October 9, 2026 – Flowers Plantation is excited to announce its first-ever Flowers Business Expo, taking place Thursday, October 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Concert Park, located in the Harris Teeter shopping complex at Flowers Crossroads.This exciting new community event will bring together more than 40 local brick-and-mortar businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, salons, healthcare providers, professional services, specialty stores, and other businesses that call Flowers

TA Brown Profit Solutions LLC Helps Small Business Owners Gain Financial Clarity Through Professional Bookkeeping Services

BENSON, NC — October 8, 2026 — Managing a small business involves more than generating revenue. Maintaining accurate financial records, monitoring expenses, understanding cash flow, and making informed financial decisions are essential to long-term business success.TA Brown Profit Solutions LLC is helping small business owners address these challenges through professional bookkeeping and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services.Founded in 2024, the North Carolina-based company provides financial management

DeWayne's 35th Anniversary Fall Fest

DeWayne’s is celebrating 35 years in business with its first-ever Fall Fest on Saturday, October 3, from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM in Selma, North Carolina. The free family-friendly event will bring together fall activities, food, shopping specials, giveaways and more as DeWayne’s celebrates this milestone with the customers and community who have supported the family-owned business throughout the years. Guests can enjoy free pumpkin painting for the first 100 registered children ages 12 and under, free balloon

KS Bank Breaks Ground on Modernized Branch in Wendell, NC

(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 Commerce Executive Director, Roger Peterson, the Mayor of Wendell, Virginia Gray, and KS Bank President/CEO, Earl W.

KS Bank Expanding Their Community-Focused Brand of Banking to Lillington, NC

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 approval from the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks to operate the new branch.KS Bank’s expansion into Lillington

KS Bank Earns 5-Star Rating from National Bank Rating Firm

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” distinction. This latest rating was assigned in March 2026, based on December 31, 2025 financial data, and

KS Bank President/CEO, Earl W. Worley, Jr., Re-Elected to ICBA Federal Delegate Board

 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 in their efforts to build stronger, more resilient communities that bolster our economy and make a meaningful

Triangle East Chamber Names First Talent and Leadership Development Manager

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 area employers report difficulty finding workers with essential skills. Walker will lead the charge in developing,

Cracking the Code: How to Turn Local Intel into Business Strategy

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 code. It’s not glamorous, but that’s the point. What works in Midtown won’t fly in Midtown South, and your biggest

Employee Wellness is Good Business

Employee Wellness is Good Business Companies that prioritize employee wellness are finding its a tool to recruit and retain employees and a way to reduce healthcare costs. Research conducted by Workforce Magazine found that 87 percent of employees considered wellness programs when choosing an employer. In addition 67 percent of employees who worked for organizations with wellness programs reported job satisfaction and would recommend their employer to others. The Harvard Business Review reports that

KS Bank Named Among the Top Extraordinary Banks in the Nation

KS Bank Named Among the Top Extraordinary Banks in the Nation  SMITHFIELD, NC – KS Bank was just named among the top extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™.  KS Bank was recognized with the Institute’s Banky™ Award for its commitment to strong community banking. This recognition is given to top community banks across the country to help people find the best banks in their communities. They also received the Above-and-Beyond Customer Service Banky™ Award for

Do Good Foods LLC Will Invest More Than $100 Million At Selma's Eastfield Crossing

‘Climate Forward’ Consumer Foods Pioneer Will Create Approximately 100 Jobs in JoCo  Johnston County, N.C. – June 6, 2022. Do Good Foods LLC, a revolutionary climate forward company that upcycles surplus grocery store food into nutrient-dense animal feed, will invest more than $100 million in a new production facility at Eastfield Crossing in Selma. The new operation will employ approximately 100 workers at wages averaging more than $60,000 per year. Johnston County Commissioners joined the Selma Town

KS Bank Named 2021 Community Bank of the Year

KS BANK NAMED 2021 COMMUNITY BANK OF THE YEAR  (SMITHFIELD, NC) - KS Bank was awarded the 2021 Community Bank of the Year award by the NC Rural Center. This award is given to the financial institution that was a leading lending partner to North Carolina’s small businesses while providing exceptional customer service. Phil Marion, treasurer of the NC Rural Center’s Board of Directors said, “KS Bank has been a partner of the Rural Center since 2012, and since that time, has supported more than 30 loans for a

Duke Energy Secures Offshore Wind Lease for Carolina Long Bay

Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC, a nonregulated subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), has been named a provisional winner of OCS-A 0546 lease area in the Carolina Long Bay offshore wind auction. The lease was one of two awarded as part of an Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf renewable energy auction held by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). “Securing this lease creates optionality for future offshore wind if the North Carolina Utilities Commission determines it’s part of the least cost path

SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma Residents

SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma ResidentsFree event targets residents most in need.  April 4, 2022 – The SelmaWorks! Resource Fair will take place at the Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium from 10am-2pm on Friday, April 22. The event is a partnership between Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD), NCWorks, Johnston Community College and Johnston County Public Schools. The resource fair will feature several organizations that provide services to help individuals in

Commissioners Vote Unanimously to Accept NC Railroad Grant

Selma’s Eastfield Crossing Project Set to Benefit from Rail Access Johnston County, N.C. – March 22, 2022. The Johnston County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last night to formally accept a $750,000 infrastructure grant as part of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s Build Ready Sites initiative. The award will be applied to upgrades and improvements in Selma that will support the county’s Eastfield Crossing project.  “Johnston County is proud to be one of six North Carolina counties to be

Food Truck Business Opens Brick and Mortar Restaurant

New comfort food restaurant now open in Pine Needle Square  Smithfield, NC (March 3, 2022) – AdVenture Development, LLC, is pleased to announce that 815 Gourmet Grill is now open for carryout and delivery. The dining room will open soon. The restaurant is AdVenture Development’s newest tenant in the recently renovated Pine Needle Square.  A popular area food truck, 815 Gourmet Grill is delighted to open its first brick and mortar location. The restaurant offers classics with a twist, featuring gourmet

LEADERSHIP JOHNSTON LAUNCHES CLASS OF 2022

SMITHFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA, January 15, 2022— A fully engaged Leadership Johnston program returns to Johnston County this year! The eleven-month program is designed for those who want to learn more about the county while developing and refining leadership skills. Through a variety of personal growth opportunities, individuals will gain a more in-depth understanding of the many facets of Johnston County, build crisis leadership and change management skills, and learn the skills necessary for effectively

ADVANCETEC WILL INVEST OVER $10 MILLION AT SITE NEAR CLAYTON - Cleanroom Integration Experts to Leverage Prefabrication & Modularization for Biotech

Johnston County, N.C. – November 1, 2021. AdvanceTEC, a leader in cleanroom design, construction and mission-critical process integration, will invest more than $10 million in a new site in Johnston County. The Richmond, Va. based company intends to create an advanced skilled workforce at a location near Clayton, which will serve biotechnology companies in the Research Triangle and throughout the United States.   “Johnston County’s place in the 21st century life sciences industry is taking an important

Scooter's Coffee Opens on Labor Day

Smithfield, NC (September 3, 2021) – Adventure Development, LLC, is pleased to announce that Scooter’s Coffee will open in Pine Needle Square in Smithfield on Monday, September 6. Located at 701 N. Brightleaf Boulevard, Scooter’s is owned by Shawn and Jennifer Pearce and Rob and Jocelyn Southerland. The drive-thru location offers coffee, smoothies, baked goods, breakfast items, and specialty drinks with speedy and friendly customer service. “We know that any organization’s success depends on the

The First “Red Vest Tuesday” For Lowe’s 100 Hometowns Project, Activate Selma A Success

SELMA, NC:  Monday, August 30 - On Tuesday, August 24th,  volunteers from Selma Parks and Recreation, Activate Selma, local businesses and Lowe’s of Smithfield endured the heat and dramatically changed the look of Downtown Selma during the first “Red Vest Day” as part of Lowe’s 100 Hometown projects.   “Red Vest Tuesday” is in conjunction with the Lowe’s 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

SOLA CREATIONS BOUTIQUE FEATURED IN THE BOOK, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC

The much-awaited book, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC, written by Pine Level writer Cindy Brookshire, shares 12 personal stories of Selma, North Carolina residents, volunteers, and business owners who are revitalizing and uplifting their beloved rail community and all it has to offer.  Katja Jentes of ProverbsPhotography shot all the photos in the book, including the book cover.   Twenty-three community members participated in the project and two national experts, Roger Brooks

KS Bank advances in N.C. financial ranking

The Smithfield-based bank is ranked 31st in Business North Carolina magazine's 2021 list of "Largest Banks and Credit Unions Based in North Carolina" --- up from a ranking of 34th last year.The magazine reports that KS Bank had revenue of $18.7 million in 2020 --- up 11.3% from 2019 --- producing net income of $4.8 million, up 14.3%. Total assets of $486 million is also a factor in the bank's new ranking.First Citizens BancShares --- founded in Smithfield as First Citizens Bank & Trust Company and now based

Kelly Wallace Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities toEngage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues  WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Kelly Wallace, Vice President & COO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the fifth cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development

The Sleep Inn & Suites Hotel in Smithfield, NC Wins Prestigious 2021 Platinum Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels

Smithfield, NC2021 – The Sleep Inn & Suites hotel of Smithfield, NC has been recognized with a prestigious 2021 Platinum Award from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the Sleep Inn brand.  The Platinum Award designation goes only to the top three-percent of hotels within the brand, representing a tremendous accomplishment. As one of the top tier properties operating under the Sleep Inn flag, the hotel’s staff has demonstrated an exceptional focus on guest satisfaction and

JCC Business Partnership Opportunity

Looking for ways to get more promotion for your business?  Become a Business Partner with Johnston Community College to promote your business through our newly established JCC Alumni Association! By offering discounts to JCC alumni, students, and employees, your business will be recognized in JCC publications and announcements throughout the year - encouraging our campus community to patronize your business!  For more information, call (919) 209-2182 or email jccalumni@johnstoncc.edu.

JCC Offering Free Workshop for Underemployed and Unemployed