MARCH 2017

Business of the Month Award West & Dunn Funeral Home

208 W. Main Street Benson, N. C. 27504

919-894-3123

Visual Improvement Award Rebecca’s Vintage Market

103 W. Main Street Benson, N. C. 27504

910-849-6302

Norman Dunn, Owner, & Pat Stanley, Secretary.

Jaymes Elliott and Debra Cardone, Chamber Board Members, Becky Wages, owner, Jeanne Coats and Angel Sanchez, vendors.

Something to Think About… "If you work just for money, you’ll never make it, but if you love what you’re doing and you always put the

customer first, success will be yours." - Ray Kroc

Keep Benson Beautiful - Town Wide Clean Up Day

April 1, 2017—8:30 AM

Meet at the Gym located at

P. K. Vyas Park—Lee Street

Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

Business Spotlights

The Villas at Benson, Inc. celebrated with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Event. Located at 606 E. Morris Avenue, Benson, The Villas are a Senior Care Community owned and operated by Patrick Ogbonna and Elsie Ogbonna. Many family members have been actively involved in the establishment of The Villas at Benson. The Villas are unique because every bedroom is furnished with a full size bed and there are no semi-private rooms. There are 7 six-bedroom Villas and one three-bedroom villa. All Villas are spa-cious and range from 2200 to 4000 square feet.

The Villas at Benson. Inc. 606 E. Morris Avenue Benson, N.C. 27504

919-207-2914

Fit 4 Life McGee’s is a gym that’s heavily involved into the community that’s also a 24/7 gym. This past year we built onto the gym an auxiliary room for our classes. Fit 4 Life McGee’s has grown tremendously within the community and also with an outstanding boost in members as well. Owned and operated by Paul Humphreys, Edward Smith, and Kelli Turner, Fit 4 Life is located at 12330 NC Hwy. 210, Suite 115, Benson, N.C.

The owners are proud to introduce their new General Manager, Michael Johnson at Fit 4 Life McGee’s. Michael Johnson played football at Fa-yetteville State University where he was 3X NCAA All American, Also he is an Ex Professional Arena Football Player for the Iowa Barnstormers. Michael Johnson previously coached football at Fayetteville State Uni-versity before he took the position as General Manager at Fit 4 Life McGee’s. Fit 4 Life McGee’s Gym is opened 24/7. A wide range of equipment and various classes are offered as well. Fit 4 Life offers per-sonal training for clients who would like to build muscle and experience weight loss. Tanning is also a perk offered that most gyms don’t offer. “Our goal for this future is to reach out toward every single home and business in the Johnston county area and to show why we have the best Gym in Johnston County.”

Fit 4 Life - McGee’s Gym

Fit 4 Life - McGee’s Gym 12330 NC Hwy. 210, Ste. 115

Benson, N.C. 27504 919-600-8218

The Villas at Benson, Inc.

2017 Chamber Executive

Committee

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Paul Boucher

VICE - CHAIRMAN

Ben Cook

TREASURER

Natalie Morgan

PAST CHAIRMAN

John Wood

EX– OFFICIO

Matt Zapp, Town Manager

PRESIDENT

Loretta Byrd

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Evelyn Aranda

Board Members

Term Expires 2017

Brian Honeycutt

Natalie Morgan

Ken Tart

John Wood

Term Expires 2018

Paul Boucher

Ben Cook

Jaymes Elliott

Jerry Medlin

Term Expires 2019

Mary Michael Britt

Debra Cardone

Dr. Matt Frazier

Chad Snead

Chamber Banquet Highlights Chamber Award Winners

Front: DeVan Barbour III, Special Recognition, Ken Tart, Citizen of the Year, Paul Dunn, Small Business Person, Katherine Anne Hamlin (Hamlin Sheet Metal Co., Inc.) Large Business of the Year, and Deborah Davis, Ambassador of the Year. Back: Danny, Grimes, and Bill Medlin (Medlin & Dorman, Inc.) Business Family of the Year, and Mike Denning, Board of Directors Award.

Civic Award Winners

Front: Evelyn Aranda, Outstanding Woman, Diana Diaz, Outstanding Town Employee, Zachary Jacobs, Law Enforcment Officer of the Year, Ashton Thompson, Outstanding Youth, Martha Parrish, Outstanding Senior Citizen. Back: Wesley Bul-lock, Outstanding Educator, Justin Sloan, Firefighter of the Year, Jay-mes Elliott, Arts Award, Terry Thompson, Volunteerism Award, and Keith Langdon, Humanitarian of the Year.

Outgoing Board Chairman, John Wood, welcomes incoming 2017 Chairman, Paul Boucher, to the podium. John was presented a plaque for his outstanding leadership and service as 2016 Chairman of the Board and a scrapbook filled with clippings and photos of the Chamber’s events and activities throughout the year.

Thanks to our many members and friends who made donations for our Silent Auction! Please support them because they supported us!

Stewart’s Woodworks Morgan’s on Main Lane’s Seafood

Gregory Vineyard s Rebecca’s Vintage Market Carolina Skateland

Miller Parts & Paint Professional Eye Care Sandy Ridge Golf Course

Benson Flower Shop Jenny’s Sweet Creations Chicora Country Club

Royal Boutique El Charro Mexican Restaurant Broad Street Deli

Broadslab Distillery Double LL Tack & Feed Ken Tart Photography

C.A. Candle Co. Hannah Creek Vet Hospital Montana Silver

Four Seasons Florist Mule City Specialty Feeds, Inc. Lynn’s Nails

ElectriCiities, Inc. Country Club of Johnson County Medlin & Dorman, Inc.

Jeffrey’s Florist, Inc. Drs. Adams, Johnson & Johnson Dixie Denning, LP Gas

Wood Pharmacy Reedy Creek Golf Course Circle Florist of Newton Grove

Citizen of the Year Breakfast

The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Annual Citizen of the Year Break-fast on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Town Conference Center. Janet Matthews, 2015 recipient, served as hostess for the event hon-oring Ken Tart, 2016 recipient. For years he has prepared the slide show presentation for each of the men and women recognized for this honor and has learned so much about them and the contributions they make to our community. Ken expressed humility and grati-tude as he joined the ranks of many out-standing citizens.

Suzanne Cook, Board of Trustees, Campbell University introduced Dr. Bradley Creed, President of Campbell who was the guest speaker. Dr. Creed shared great information about growing enrollment, the new engineer-ing program, and the first graduating class in osteopathic medicine. He is very excited about the future of Campbell University and the opportunities available for our local stu-dents.

Loretta Byrd and Paul Boucher recognized the families of former Citizens of the Year who have passed away since our last breakfast. Families of Kay Wood (2014), Charles Denning (2010), and E. A. Johnson, Jr. (1970) received a memorial book which will be placed in Mary Duncan Public Library.

Ken Tart, 2016 Citizen of the Year Janet Matthews, 2015 Citizen of the Year

Suzanne Cook, 2001 Citizen of the Year

Dr. Bradley Creed, President Campbell University

Kay Wood Family: David & Debbie Lee, Rose Allen, Angie & Reid Wood with Chamber Board Chair, Paul Boucher.

Charles Denning Family: Ken & Anita Tart, Mike & Barbara Denning, Janet Wilson and Chamber Board Chair, Paul Boucher.

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

JOHNSON LAW FIRM - JIM JOHNSON

212 E. Main Street

BENSON, N.C. 27504

919-894-4431

Jdjohnsonjr @embarqmail.com

STEWART’S WOODWORKS

STEWART HARDISON

2395 BENSON HARDEE ROAD

BENSON, N.C. 27504

919-868-4584

“Custom Built Outdoor Furniture”

GOTTA INK

CHESS ROYAL & ROBERT KASUBINSKI

204 E. MAIN STREET

BENSON, N.C. 27504

252-723-7727

“Custom Printing: T-shirts, Wood, & More”

DENNING CONTRACTING COMPANY

BLAKE DENNING

P.O. BOX 338

BENSON, N.C. 27504

919-894-8560

www.denningcontracting.com

HAMPTON INN

JOE COWLING, PARTNER

1924 MICHA’S WAY NORTH

SPRING LAKE, N.C. 28390

Joe.cowling@leathco.com

REPRESENTATIVE LARRY C. STRICKLAND

300 N. SALISBURY ST.

RALEIGH, N.C. 27603

919-733-5849

Larry.strickland@ncleg.net

SENATOR RONALD RABIN

300 N. SALISBURY ST., 411 LOB

RALEIGH, N.C. 27603

919-733-5748

rabinla@ncleg.net

Fit 4 Life

Michael Johnson, General Manager

12330 NC Hwy. 210, Suite 115

Benson, N.C. 27504

919-600-8218

ADAMS HOMES

SHIRLEY MACY, Agent for Benson Community

149 U.S. Hwy. 70 W

Garner, N.C. 27529

919-889-6310

MY HAPPY PLACE

Allison Hudson, Owner

1266A McLamb Road

Dunn, N.C. 28334

919-902-1870

The Benson Area Chamber is a growing organization, and we always welcome new members… Businesses and Individuals… Contact us at 919-894-3825 or stop by our office at 122 E. Main Street for information about or organization and how we can help

your business grow!

Please refer friends and neighbors to us!

Thanks always for your continued support!

You are invited to the 3rd

Economic Development and

Strategic Planning Meeting

Town of Benson Conference

Center

March 30, 2017

7:00 P.M.

We are accepting nominations for

the Chamber’s Business of the

Month, Visual Improvement and

Yard of the Month Awards. Please

call us at 919-894-3825 to submit

your nominations!

Shop Local …

Support our Chamber members!

Save the Date! Thursday, April 20, 2017

8:00 A.M.

Benson Experiences Growth

According to a recent JoCo Report news article Benson is now the 2nd fastest growing town in Johnston County. Town Manager, Matt Zapp, appeared before the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on March 6, 2017 to give some very interesting statistics. In the past 24 months Benson has experienced $70 million in commercial growth and $10 million in new residential growth.

Growth is increasing along the I-40 and I-95 corridors including the January groundbreaking of the Hampton Inn. The town officials are working diligently to land two restaurants in the hotel area as well. “As a team the town has committed itself to Economic Development.” Zapp stated. “Following the housing bubble burst, the general economy began to improve. Benson needed to be in a position to capitalize. The Town Board and Eco-nomic Develop committee identified the areas of strength, current needs and future opportunities. Staff was then asked to develop a set of strategies to move our community forward. We invested in water, sewer, electric, roadway, and sidewalk systems. Lowering electric rates play a strong role in our growth curve. Plus, a defined focus was placed on aesthetic improve-ments along Main Street and our interchange corridors.”

Chris Johnson, Johnston County Economic Develop-ment Director, stated: “Benson has a good balance of industrial, commercial and residential growth. It has great leadership, a mayor and town council that is in sync with the town staff. Their internal communications and everyone working toward the same goals are phe-nomenal. This includes elected officials, staff, volun-teers, citizens and business leaders. The town has a terrific working relationship with the Chamber of Com-merce, the school system, and the business community. There is a genuine sense of community pride shared by all.” Johnson added, “Having goals, working strategic planning and then putting the action items to work is the key.”

The Town of Benson has completed the Mary Duncan Public Library Sidewalk Play Spaces. The play spaces are lo-cated on the sidewalks on the Main and Railroad Streets sides of the library. Features include colorfully painted side-walks, plus interactive play panels with activities as hopscotch, tic-tac-toe, spelling, and math games. “We are so proud of this innovative project because it brings outdoor play elements to a public space. Children can play on the way and not need to make a trip to a playground for fun and exercise,” said Mayor William W. Massengill, Jr. Benson’s Parks and Recreation Department submitted the Sidewalk Play Spaces concept as part of the KaBOOM! Play Every-where Challenge. The Play Everywhere Challenge is a $1 million national competition that awards innovative ideas to make play easy, available, and fun for kids and families across the United States. Benson’s Sidewalk Play Spaces pro-ject received an award of $10,000. KaBOOM! Is a national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids. Greater that 1,000 applicants’ submitted project designs; only 50 candidates were se-lected.

Thank you to all of the Chamber Members who have renewed their dues! (As of March, 14, 2017)

A. L. Wood Accounting

Adams, Johnson & Johnson

American Legion Banner Post #109 Aux.

Amped Electric LLC

B & B Produce, Inc.

B & S Air Conditioning Co., Inc.

Banner Management & Consulting

Barnes Lube Express

Barnes, Maynard

BB&T

Beasley's Heating & Air

Benson Area Medical Center

Benson Area Women's Organization

Benson Auto Supply, Inc.

Benson Baptist Church

Benson Book and Stationary, Inc.

Benson Chiropractic Center

Benson Elementary School

Benson Foundation for Arts

Benson Housing Authority

Benson Kiwanis Club

Benson Lions Club

Benson Middle School

Benson Self Storage

Benson United Methodist

Benton Card Company

Berry Plastics

Betsy Stevens

Betsy Whittington

Bleecker AutoPark

Business Boutique

Campbell University

Cape Fear Christian Academy

Capital Area Workforce Development Board

Carlie C's

Carolina Packers, Inc.

Century Link, Inc.

Char Grill Benson, LLC

Clifton Overhead Door Co.

Benson Flower Shop

American Legion Banner Past 109

Cobb Sales & Service

CommWell Health

Copiers Plus, Inc.

Creative Caps

Crestfield/Ridgecrest/Parkview Apts.

Crossroads Church

Crossroads Fire Protection, Inc.

Danny Mack Holland

Days Inn

DeWayne's Inc.

Dixie Denning LP Gas

Double LL Tack & Feed, Inc.

Dr. Christopher Vo, DDS,PC

Dunn Area Tourism Authority

Dunn-Benson Ford, Inc.

Dunn’s Garden Center

Eastern Car. Med. Ctr

Edmond's

Edward Jones Investments

El Charro Mexican Restaurant, Inc.

ElectriCities of NC, Inc.

First Federal

Four Oaks Benson News in Review

Galot Motor Sports

Glam-O-Rama Cleaners

Gloria Johnson/HomeTowne Realty GreK Computer Sales

Hall, Landis

Hamlin Sheet Metal Company, Inc.

Hampton Inn—Dunn

Hannah Creek Veterinary Hospital, PA

Harbor, Inc.

Harris Rebar North Carolina

Harris, Oscar

Helen Smith

Holloman Exterminators

Honeycutt & Grady, CPAs

Isaac Parker

Jackson Auto Glass

Jenny’s Sweet Creations

Jernigan's Nursery and Trading Post

Jerry Medlin

Jo Co Partnership for Children Johnson Auctioneers & Properties Johnson Realty Associates, Inc. Johnson, Don Johnston Community College Johnston County Country Club

Johnston County Education Foundation Johnston County Farm Bureau, Inc. Johnston County Schools Johnston Memorial Hospital Kennedy's Paradise Pawn Ken Tart Photography Lambert Surveying Lee Technologies, Inc. Lee's Furniture Outlet Legal Shield Levinson Law Firm Liberty Commons Lois B. Hood Martin Marietta Aggregates Massengill Associates, PA Max O Johnson McCall's Bar-B-Que & Seafood McDonald's of Benson McGees Crossroads Middle School McLamb's LP Gas & Supply Meadow Restaurant Meadow School Principal MedFast P.C. Medicap Pharmacy Medlin & Dorman, Inc. Morgan’s on Main Mule City Specialty Feeds, Inc. Narron, O'Hale & Whittington, P.A. Neighbors & Associates Neurology & Pain Management Center Noela Woodall North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission Office Value, Inc. Olive, Craig Pam Holland Parker General Contractors, LLC Dr. James T. Parker Rainbow Vacuums/P & D Sales Dr. Max Raynor Rebecca’s Vintage Market ReMax Southland Realty II RHA Inc. Riccobene & Associates Ricky Barnes Auto Mart

Renewed Members Continued As of March 14, 2017

Robco Residential, Inc. Rose & Graham Funeral Home Royal Boutique Senior Helpers Shirley Byrd Short Stop Food Marts Sign & Awning Systems., Inc. Small Business Center

Small World Travel

Snipes Insurance Service, Inc.

South Johnston High School

South Johnston Optimist Club

Stainless Steel Specialties

State Employees Credit Union

State Farm Insurance

Stay Clean Portolets, LLC

Stephenson Properties

Thursday, May 11, 2017 The Embers Featuring Craig Woolard Thursday, June 8, 2017 The Band of Oz Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Spare Change Thursday, July 13, 2017 Liquid Pleasure Thursday, Aug 10, 2017 Jim Quick & Coastline Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 6:00 - 7:00 Tim Hair 7:00 - 10:00 Amanda Daughtry

Plus Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party will be at each concert

Super 8 Dunn Sylvia Herring Taylor Made Cases, Inc. The Community & Senior Serv of Jo. Co The Daily Rec. The Meadow Lights The Smithfield Herald

Town of Benson Tracy Johnson Transitions Life Care Trophy Case Walgreen Warren Drug Company

West & Dunn Funeral Home, Inc. West Johnston High Wheeler Pipe & Supply Whittco Properties Dr. Larry A. Williams Wood Pharmacy WPYB Radio

Young's Auto Center Young's Motor Company

Steve Hardy’s Original Beach Party Steven Stanley Plumbing

The Vine and Branch Florist

WCKB Radio

WTSB Radio

2987 Highway 301 North, Dunn, NC 28334

910-892-1717 www.countrycleaninc.net

Country Clean, Inc. is a Locally Family Owned and Operated Business by Carol Halstead and Forest Seaton.

24/7 Emergency Services Free Estimates On All Jobs

Professional Services Provided

∗ New Moving Services Available for Residential and Commercial Clients

∗ Water and Fire Damage ∗ Vandalism Cleanup ∗ In House Cleaning

∗ Carpet Cleaning/Oriental Rug Cleaning ∗ Fire and Personal Property Restoration

∗ Storm Damage ∗ Construction Cleanup ∗ Upholstery Cleaning Upcoming Sale Event

Country Clean, Inc. is going to have a Huge Sale Event on their Facebook Page.

It Will Be An On-Line Salvage Sale! There will be Everything and More you can possibly imagine - New and Old!

Check the Facebook Page because you don’t want to miss this once in a life Opportunity!!

Country Clean Inc.

Thank you 2017 Chamber Champions!

Mission Statement…

To advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Benson area so that its citizens and all areas of the business commu-nity shall prosper. All necessary means of promotion shall be provided and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial, and educational interest of the area.