Local70 Out & About: Intentional Growth in Johnston County
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Growth is happening across Johnston County. What stood out to us recently isn't just the pace of that growth - it's the intentionality behind it.
At both the Corridors of Opportunity event hosted by the Triangle Business Journal and the Annual Meeting of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, leaders across healthcare, business and local government shared a common message:
Growth must support quality of life.
That means strong local business.
Accessible healthcare.
Walkable communities.
Infrastructure that keeps apce.
And perhaps most importantly - connection.
As Kelly Wallace, President & CEO of the Triangle East Chamber, shared:
"The growth is coming whether folks want it or not but it must align with infrastructure and community character."
That alignment is where leadership matters.
She also emphasized that people increasingly desire:
“Walkable communities with easy access to shops, restaurants, and parks — without always getting in the car.”
This is not growth for growth's sake. It's growth with intention.
Workforce & Business Momentum
The Triangle East Chamber Annual Meeting reflected real engagement:
3,500+ students participated in JOCO Works in 2025
Chamber membership increased by 32%
Social engagement continues to grow across LinkedIn (1,394 followers) and Instagram (1,219 followers)
Those numbers represent alignment between business, education and civic leadership.
As Kelly noted:
“It’s more affordable to live here and to bring a business here. People are spilling over from Wake County because they want a more affordable lifestyle. And I think the businesses are seeing that opportunity. At the chamber we love helping those businesses get off the ground, helping them connect with resources and potential customers. That’s where I find the most satisfaction — helping those businesses grow and thrive.”
Programs like Carolina HealthWorks - introduced by the North Carolina Chamber and offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina - are practical examples of this alignment. By reducing administrative burden and creating shared-risk savings for small employers, the program strenthens business sustainability.
When small businesses are supported, communities become more resilient.
Healthcare as Community Infrastructure
At Corridors of Opportunity, hosted by TBJ growth and development reporter Ben Tobin, we heard from Tommy Williams, President & CEO of UNC Health Johnston. He reinforced a critical priority: no Johnston County resident should need to leave the county for quality healthcare.
Investments in facilities, staffing and expanded services are positioning the health system to support both residential and economic growth.
Healthcare, workforce development, and business sustainability are not separate conversations — they are interconnected.
Kelly framed this interconnectedness well:
“Johnston County is rich with opportunities, but its ongoing growth necessitates proper planning and more mixed-use and income-aligned housing. This is crucial so that middle-income residents—like teachers, first responders, and other hard working citizens—can afford to live, work, and raise their families in the area"
Healthcare, housing, and workforce access are not separate conversations. They are interdependent systems.
Connection is the Thread
When asked what new residents should understand about Johnston County, Kelly didn't talk first about infrastructure or industry. She talked about people.
"Connection matters."
She described a place where:
"You have what you need right at your fingertips. . . It’s a slower pace of life, offering small-town connection without isolation. That’s what people value.”
That balance - access without losing identity - is what makes Johnston County distinctive.
And it's what gives confidence that growth here can remain relational, not transactional.
Why This Matters to Local70
These conversations reflects the principles that shaped Local70 from the beginning:
Connectivity.
Walkability.
Housing variety.
Partnership with local businesses.
Respect for Smithfield's identity.
We don't see growth as something happening around us.
We see it as something we participate in thoughtfully.
Growth works best when aligned - with infrastructure, with opportunity, and with the character of the community itself.
And that intentionality is what gives us confidence in the future.
