This week's Benson Chamber Newsletter

October 17 - 21, 2022 Happenings

CONGRATULATIONS to Benson Middle School for being selected as the Benson Chamber’s Member/Business of the Week. Dana Jernigan, Principal of BMS, along with assistant principals Kristy Washington and Jeffrey Henry, come alongside her fifty-six staff members and the 512 students in grades 5 – 8 to accomplish the school’s mission of “developing lifelong learners by leading with G.R.A.C.E.: Grit, Relationship, Academics, Character, Empowerment.” Benson Middle School’s curriculum includes Advanced Placement Courses, Innovative Electives, along with a wide variety of Clubs and Competitions. The school has also been recognized in the top 20% of the State for Exceeding Growth (2021-2022); additionally, the school has received the National Beta Club School of Distinction Award. Recently, Benson Middle School’s football team, the Phantoms, received the honor of being the 2022 Conference Champions (undefeated) and the Phantom Volleyball team hopes to clench the conference title with only one lost game to date. The school is located at 1600 North Wall Street in Benson, NC. To learn more about Benson Middle School, please visit the website: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/bms.

The Benson Chamber is pleased to welcome CrossFit MTA to the Chamber family. CrossFit MTA is located at 701-A South Wall Street in Benson (in the Alkat building). From the website: "Misfit Training Academy is an inclusive fitness community and home to CrossFit MTA. We offer CrossFit classes, CrossFit Kids classes, Foundations, personal training, and clinics for Olympic Weightlifting, Powerlifting, and Gymnastics. In addition to having qualified coaches to meet your fitness needs, we also have a Precision Nutrition coach on staff to help you dial in your nutrition." Check out their fb page and the website by following this link.

Benson Selects Town Manager

PRESS RELEASE (10-13-22): Benson Selects New Town Manager

During its regular Tuesday night meeting, the Benson Board of Commissioners approved the contract for a new Town Manager.

Following a months-long search aided by an independent firm specializing in government employment, the Board narrowed its list down to three top candidates ultimately choosing Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett to fill the role. To read more, click below.

JOCO Works Sparks Career Interests for Eighth-Grade Students

JOCO WORKS is an innovative, industry-led, collaboration between Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS), Johnston Community College (JCC), Benson Chamber of Commerce, Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, government, and various business leaders to meet the growing needs of the workforce in Johnston County.

Launched in 2019, the event was virtual for the last two years, this being the first year since the pandemic it was held face-to-face again. More than 3,000 eighth-grade students of Johnston County Public Schools attended JOCO WORKS 2022. Students were taken to JCC in Smithfield where students had the opportunity to connect with more than 40 local industries, including Grifols, NC Department of Transportation, and Novo Nordisk.

Leadership Johnston is Development program for professionals who are poised and eager to transition to a higher level within their organization and to assume increased responsibilities. Participants will learn through a variety of experiences including panel discussions, inter-views, classroom instruction, and tours. The program will cover communication, learning styles, cultural differences, team building, coaching, public speaking and presentation skills, change management, critical thinking, and unconscious bias. The Classroom is Johnston County. Sessions will take place in businesses throughout the County. For all of the details,click here.