Your Future Neighbor: Chris Johnson

May 5
5 min read

Updated: May 11

You can feel how much Johnston County is changing right now. It shows up in small ways—new homes taking shape, more activity throughout the day, a sense that things are building on themselves.

Working on Local70, we get a closer look at what’s behind that. It’s not just growth for the sake of it.

Chris Johnson didn’t come into this role through big recruitment deals or headline announcements. His background is Main Street—small businesses, historic buildings, and the kind of decisions that shape how a place actually works day to day.

You can see that influence in how the county is growing now. There’s a clear effort to bring in new employers, but just as much attention on the businesses that are already here—and on creating more opportunity closer to home.

We talked with Chris about how Johnston County has evolved, what’s driving it today, and where he sees it going from here.

Chris Johnson, Economic Development Director, Johnston County — Chris Johnson, Economic Development Director, **Johnston County**

What drew you to economic development, and what motivated you to work in Johnston County?

"I moved here in 1990. I’m originally from rural Northampton County, North Carolina. I met my wife at East Carolina — she’s from Smithfield — and we eventually settled here. I served briefly on the constituent services side for a congressman and was also on the Downtown Development Board. When the director left, I was asked to step in temporarily during a festival year. I fell in love with it.

That experience exposed me to small business, Main Street development, and historic preservation. I’ve personally renovated three historic buildings downtown. I’ve always appreciated architecture, character, and what makes a place unique — that’s part of my DNA.

In 2013, after many years in Main Street work, I was approached about leading county economic development full-time. I felt like I had reached a ceiling where I was and was ready for a new challenge. Everything I do today in industrial recruitment traces back to that Main Street mindset.

Whether it’s a half-million-dollar small business or a half-billion-dollar corporation, it’s all about meeting customer needs, staffing, operations, and return on investment. The scale changes — the fundamentals don’t.

How would you describe Johnston County’s economic character to someone unfamiliar with the area?

We pride ourselves on being pro-business — a “green tape, not red tape” philosophy. We value investment, whether it’s local dollars or outside capital. Yes, we’re growing quickly. Johnston County has been one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina for several years. We’re part of the Raleigh MSA, and our interstate connectivity — I-95, I-40, and the transition of U.S. 70 to I-42 — positions us extremely well.

When I-40 opened, that was a major turning point. People working in the Triangle realized they could live here, enjoy a strong quality of life, and still commute. That connectivity, combined with available land, created the conditions for growth.

What kinds of businesses and employers are important to the county today?

“We have a labor shed of ~ 125,000 people. About 77% leave the county every day to work elsewhere — nearly 95,000 people commuting out. Historically, we were hit hard in the mid-1990s with the loss of textiles and manufacturing due to offshoring. At the same time, tobacco farming declined, and many family farms either consolidated or sold.

Instead of growing tobacco, we began growing houses. With interstate access and lower land costs, Johnston County became an attractive residential option for Triangle workers.

Today, our goal is to “turn the cars around.” If we can recruit manufacturing and industries that offer salaries at or above the regional average, people would much rather work 10 minutes from home than commute an hour. Warehouse and distribution are natural fits, and we welcome that investment. But strategically, we focus incentives on higher-wage manufacturing sectors that raise median income levels.

How do you balance recruiting new industry with supporting existing businesses?

The old Main Street principle still applies: about 70–80% of new investment comes from existing industries. New ribbon cuttings get headlines, but supporting existing employers is critical. When I started in 2013, one major employer had around 300–400 employees. Today, they have over 3,000. That growth happened because we stayed engaged.

For smaller manufacturers — companies with 40 or 50 employees that have been here for decades — we now have tools from the county commissioners to support them. Not multi-million-dollar incentives, but assistance with infrastructure improvements, broadband, sewer extensions, or facility upgrades. It’s case by case. But we work just as hard for the existing company as the new recruit.

What would you want new residents to understand about the county’s economic foundation?

Agriculture is still our number one industry. That surprises many people. Yes, North Carolina is losing farmland, and agriculture has changed dramatically. The cost of equipment and automation has increased significantly. You’re not farming 100 acres anymore — you might need 2,000 acres to justify a million-dollar combine. Out of thousands of farms, there may only be around 750 active farmers. Many landowners lease to those operators. Agriculture remains foundational — but it has modernized and consolidated. It’s still a major economic driver here.

In what ways does economic development intersect with everyday life for residents?

Economic development isn’t just about large announcements. It’s about schools, infrastructure, roads, broadband, and quality of life. Our county commissioners have invested heavily in school construction — at one point, building nearly one school per year. Those investments make the county attractive to families and employers alike. When we recruit industry, we’re thinking about jobs, yes — but also about strengthening the tax base so we can invest in public services that benefit residents every day.

If you could share one thing about Johnston County that surprises people, what would it be?

We’re the best of both worlds. We’re close to urban centers but still maintain a rural character. It’s still very much a “where are you from, who’s your family” type of place — close-knit and community-oriented. There’s a passion here for raising families and investing in schools. It’s a place where you can have access to opportunity without losing identity.

In a recent post, Chris Johnson mentioned that Johnston County isn’t just trying to keep up—it’s leaning in.

That feels accurate after this conversation.

The progress you see isn’t tied to one project or announcement. It’s how different pieces are lining up—JCC and workforce training, employers that have been here for years, the county continuing to invest where it matters.

That’s the part we keep coming back to as Local70 moves forward. It’s not about dropping something new into the middle of it. It’s about being part of what’s already building—and making sure it actually adds to it.

Local70’s “Your Future Neighbor” series highlights the people, organizations, and community leaders helping shape Smithfield’s future.

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