Gone are the days when Johnston County was just another sleepy agricultural community in rural North Carolina. Today, this dynamic region has transformed into a thriving economic powerhouse that’s attracting billion-dollar investments and creating thousands of high-paying jobs.
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The Great Transformation
For decades, Johnston County looked much like other rural parts of North Carolina—heavily dependent on agriculture, textiles, and tobacco. But when these traditional industries began declining in the mid-1990s, something remarkable happened. Instead of accepting economic stagnation, county leaders charted a bold new course.
“We really took it on the chin in the mid 90s with the loss of textiles and the offshoring that we saw,” explains Chris Johnson, director of the Johnston County Economic Development Office. “And then when you add into the fact of the loss of the tobacco industry.”
Rather than becoming another casualty of economic change, Johnston County reinvented itself—and the results speak for themselves.
Record-Breaking Growth
The numbers tell an incredible story. At the end of January, Johnston County boasted a record 124,000 employed residents—a staggering 15% increase from just one year earlier. This represents the biggest year-over-year jump since at least 1990, far exceeding the typical 3% annual growth the county had experienced.
But here’s what makes this growth even more impressive: these aren’t just any jobs. They’re high-tech, high-paying positions that are transforming the county’s economic landscape.
Game-Changing Investments
Crystal Window & Door Systems: $83.65 Million Investment
In May, Crystal Window & Door Systems announced plans for a new factory in Selma, bringing 500 jobs with an average salary of $56,000—11% above the county average. The $83.65 million investment is projected to boost North Carolina’s economy by $1.09 billion.
Veetee Foods: Expanding in Selma
September brought another win with Veetee Foods’ $35.7 million expansion, creating 200 jobs paying an average of $58,400—7% above the county average. This food processing company specializes in nonperishable foods, adding diversity to the county’s growing industrial base.
Novo Nordisk: The Crown Jewel
The biggest announcement came in June when Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk revealed a $4.1 billion expansion—the largest life-sciences investment in North Carolina history. This massive project will create 1,000 new jobs averaging $69,000 annually, a remarkable 29% above the county average.
This expansion builds on Novo Nordisk’s existing $1.8 billion facility commitment from eight years ago. The company, already one of Johnston County’s largest private employers with 2,500 state employees, is ramping up production to meet surging demand for diabetes and weight-loss treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy.
The Secret to Success: Strategic Location
What’s driving this economic boom? Location, location, location.
Johnston County sits at the intersection of major transportation corridors—Interstates 40 and 95—putting it within a day’s drive of both New York and Florida. This strategic positioning makes it incredibly attractive to manufacturers who need quick access to East Coast markets.
The county’s advantages don’t stop there:
“It’s the lifeblood of our future,” Johnson emphasizes about the county’s transportation infrastructure.
Part of Something Bigger: The BioPharma Crescent
Johnston County isn’t going it alone. It’s a key player in the BioPharma Crescent, a five-county Eastern North Carolina region that’s become a major cluster for biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This collaborative approach has helped the county compete effectively for advanced manufacturing jobs over the past 30 years.
Investing in People
Smart economic development isn’t just about attracting businesses—it’s about preparing workers. Johnston County has made significant investments in workforce development:
These investments are paying off by giving residents opportunities to work closer to home. Currently, more than half of Johnston’s workforce commutes outside the county for employment.
“My role is to turn those cars around,” Johnson explains, highlighting the goal of creating local opportunities for local residents.
Soaring to New Heights: Airport Growth
Nothing illustrates Johnston County’s economic vitality quite like its airport statistics. Johnston Regional Airport has tripled its activity over the past five years, growing from 40,000 operations to a projected 120,000 this year.
The single-runway airport has become North Carolina’s fourth-busiest, behind only Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro. The Federal Aviation Administration now says the airport will need a control tower to handle its increasing traffic.
“I-95 exists in the sky as well and Johnston Regional sits directly underneath of it,” notes David Harris, the airport’s director.
As a reliever airport for RDU, Johnston Regional offers corporations easier access, with the FAA planning to move smaller business jets and private aircraft away from the major hub.
Growing Pains: The Price of Success
Success brings challenges. As Johnston County attracts more manufacturers and employers, they’re competing with residential developers for land. This competition has driven up development costs and, consequently, residential construction prices.
The county’s population hit a record 250,000 in 2024, and with it came record-high residential prices. While Johnston County has historically thrived on its affordability compared to Wake County, rising land costs could potentially impact future corporate recruitment efforts.
The airport faces similar challenges, working with planners to balance growth while remaining compatible with new residential developments.
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Looking Forward: A Bright Economic Future
From textile mills to pharmaceutical plants, from tobacco fields to biotech facilities, Johnston County’s transformation represents one of North Carolina’s great economic success stories. What started as a necessity—adapting to the decline of traditional industries—has become a blueprint for rural economic development.
Today’s graduates have opportunities their predecessors could only dream of. As Commissioner Dickie Braswell reflected during the Novo Nordisk announcement: “There was a time—when I graduated from high school many many years ago—when the opportunities did not exist in Johnston County if you didn’t go into agriculture careers. You had to pretty much leave the county. And now we’ve got good-paying jobs, and people who graduate from our schools can choose where they want to work.”
That transformation from necessity to opportunity captures the essence of Johnston County’s remarkable journey—and suggests even brighter days ahead. Vist Johnston County evolves from bedroom community to economic destination to read more.
