Is the CSX project in Johnston County back on track? The proposed $272 million terminal was derailed two months ago when Johnston County Commissioners pulled their support for the project based on concerns from property owners about eminent domain.
Now, within the past 24 hours, three Johnston County chambers of commerce have go on record in support of the project. The Greater Smithfield Selma Chamber went on record first. They were followed by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. Tuesday the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce went on record in favor of the projects. All three press releases from the chambers were nearly identical.
Adding to the speculation, Johnston County Commissioners have announced they will hold a special-called closed session Wednesday at 6:00 PM to discuss “…matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area.”
Trent Lassiter, whose business and farmland near Micro would be impacted by the CSX hub if it is built on its original site said, “It’s no coincidence that all this stuff is happening. The chamber statements, then the called county commissioners meeting, something is in the works with this project. It seems as if something has been worked out within our county for all these chambers to be voting support for the project.”
Lassiter says he is anxious to learn why the 3 chambers suddenly endorsed the project when there has been no known movement on the terminal in weeks.
All three press releases from the chambers are nearly identical:
Smithfield-Selma Chamber
The mission of the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote and inform our membership as well as our community of new economic growth opportunities.
Standing behind this mission, the Chamber Board of Directors “fully supports the placement of the CSX Intermodal terminal in Johnston County.” Our responsibility includes researching the project and all of its many facets, and that research has determined that CSX has greatly benefited the communities into which they expanded, as well as their surrounding areas. While the project brought new job opportunities within CSX, other related businesses also relocated to the region to take advantage of the HUB. In addition, the local community saw more investment in roads and infrastructure. Our Chamber supports such growth!
The Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to ensuring that our members, our community and this county have full benefit of the information needed to advance our economic growth. With that commitment in mind, we support this project and look forward to the strong economic impact it will bring to Johnston County and our great state.
Benson Chamber
The mission of the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote and inform our membership as well as our community of new economic growth opportunities. Standing behind this mission, the Chamber Board of Directors “fully supports the placement of the CSX Intermodal terminal in Johnston County.” Our responsibility includes researching the project and all of its many facets, and that research has determined that CSX has greatly benefited the communities into which they expanded, as well as their surrounding areas. While the project brought new job opportunities within CSX, other related businesses also relocated to the region to take advantage of the HUB. In addition, the local community saw more investment in roads and infrastructure. Our Chamber supports such growth!
The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to ensuring that our members, our community and this county have full benefit of the information needed to advance our economic growth. With that commitment in mind, we support this project and look forward to the strong economic impact it will bring to Johnston County and our great state.
Clayton Chamber
The Mission of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce is to promote and inform our membership as well as our community of new economic growth opportunities.
Standing behind this mission, the Chamber Board of Directors “fully supports the placement of the CSX Inter modal terminal in Johnston County.” Our responsibility includes researching the project and all of its many facets, and that research has determined that CSX has greatly benefited the communities into which they expanded, as well as their surrounding areas. While the project brought new job opportunities within CSX, other related businesses also relocated to the region to take advantage of the HUB. In addition, the local community saw more investment in roads and infrastructure. Our Chamber supports such growth!
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to ensuring that our members, our community and this county have full benefit of the information needed to advance our economic growth. With that commitment in mind, we support this project and look forward to the strong economic impact it will bring to Johnston County and our great state.
CSX Statement
Tuesday afternoon, WTSB News reached out to Kristin Seay, a CSX Corporate Communications spokesperson. Seay released a statement saying, “CSX appreciates the support for the CCX intermodal rail terminal recently voiced by local organizations and community members. We continue to be committed to this infrastructure project which will create jobs, deliver a distinct competitive advantage for large and small businesses, and spur economic development. We look forward to working with all interested stakeholders to move the project forward.”
(Updated: 3:35 pm)
North Carolina Chamber Voices Support of CSX Terminal
State Chamber of Commerce Endorses Placement of CSX Intermodal Terminal in North Carolina
Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the North Carolina Chamber, a nonpartisan business advocacy organization, has announced the organization’s support of the placement of a CSX intermodal terminal in North Carolina as it will make our state more competitive to draw investment and keep, attract and grow jobs.
“An integral part of the business community’s long-term strategy, North Carolina Vision 2030 – A Plan for Accelerating Job Growth and Securing North Carolina’s Future, is growing the economy to position our state to ride this wave of unprecedented growth,” said Ebert. “When CSX, a leading transportation company, sees the advantage of making a strategic infrastructure investment in our state, the North Carolina Chamber is positioned to do all it can to help make that happen.”
About the North Carolina Chamber:
The North Carolina Chamber is a nonpartisan business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory and political arenas to proactively drive positive change to ensure that North Carolina is a leading place in the world to do business. Strengthening the state’s ability to attract, keep and grow jobs is the Chamber’s highest priority. Central to that effort are four “Pillars of a Secure Future” for North Carolina which include Education and Talent Supply, Business Climate, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Infrastructure and Growth Leadership. For more information, visit www.ncchamber.net.
