January—March 2018

2017 Year in Review

The Benson Chamber had a very successful year with continued membership growth and community support. Following are some

of our accomplishments for the year:

Facilitated 7 Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings

Coordinated Events

Chamber Banquet

Citizen of the Year Breakfast

Partnered with the Classic Antique Power Club for Farm Heritage Days

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

Academic Achievers Luncheon

Sundown in Downtown Concerts – April – August

Monthly BACC Coffee Connections

Yard of the Month Presentations – April – October

Business of the Month Presentations – January – December

Visual Improvement Award Presentations

Town Board Reception

Room Dedication Ceremony and Reception

2017 Christmas on Main was the most successful and well attended in history

Along with BAMA conducted a Back to School Supply Drive and Toy Drive for children in Southern Johnston County

Presented a Scholarship at South Johnston High School

Mule Days

The Board of Directors decided to add some new items to Mule Days which was a huge success:

A dance after the Friday and Saturday night rodeos

Sunday afternoon rodeo was a full rodeo rather than a youth rodeo

The Benson Singing Convention Board sponsored and coordinated the Saturday afternoon gospel sing

More vendor spaces were added

Picnic tables were built and placed on Parrish Drive for the attendees

Mule Day Art on Main with student drawings and music

Renovations to the chamber park sponsored by Paul Dunn, Mike Denning, Dr. Matt Frazier, Benson Lion’s Club, and

Kiwanis Club of Benson

The Benson Chamber also participated and helped with the following county wide events:

JoCo Economic Development Racing for Success Industrial Appreciation Day

Flame for Learning Banquet (Teacher of the Year)

Leadership Johnston Program

JoCo Economic Update Luncheon

The chamber has worked to promote the membership with social and printed media

Staff has attended the Town Economic Development Commission and Downtown Committee meetings

In May, the Chamber Board took a leap of faith and purchased the building on Main Street which has been great. Tourism traffic

has greatly increased as well as Main Street Shoppers. We invite you to visit and use our conference room for any of your meet-

ings and events. Chamber members can use the room at no charge.

Chamber Members for your

support and dedication!

2018

Chamber Executive

Committee

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Ben Cook

VICE - CHAIRMAN

Mary Michael Britt

TREASURER

Debra Cardone

PAST CHAIRMAN

Paul Boucher

EX– OFFICIO

Matt Zapp, Town Manager

PRESIDENT

Loretta Byrd

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Betty Wheeler

Board Members

Term Expires 2018

Paul Boucher

Ben Cook

Jaymes Elliott

Matt Smith

Term Expires 2019

Mary Michael Britt

Debra Cardone

Dr. Matt Frazier

Chad Snead

Term Expires 2020

Jeremy Norris

Tracy Norris

Isaac Parker

Justin Powell

Ribbon Cuttings

Congratulations!

A “cord cutting” was

held for the completion

of the WiFi service that

is now available from

301 at Main Street to

the Singing Grove.

Stay Connected Ben-

son!

Travelers along I-95

along with Benson resi-

dents now have a place

for dogs to stretch their

legs. The Dog Park is

located at 308 South

Walton Ave.

Adams Homes held an official ribbon cutting at the Preserve subdivision locat-

ed on NC 50 N outside Benson. Drive through and see the beautiful homes.

BENSON’S 7TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY

MONTH CELEBRATION

Former Mayor Pro-Tem and commissioner Frederick Douglas Nelson, II

was selected as Benson’s 2018 Black History Month honoree. The Benson

Museum of Local History was the setting for the occasion and was filled

with family, friends and other guests. Reginald Holley, nephew-in-law of

Mr. Nelson, commented on the impact in the Town of Benson and his in-

fluential tenure as an elected official—”charting a path for diversity and

growth on the town’s governing board.” Mayor Jerry Medlin commented

that it was an important day for Benson as the community came together

and recognized that we are all unique, different but bound together by com-

mon humanity and the desire to work together for good.

Commenting, Mr. Nelson said that when approached to serve as commis-

sioner “my lips were set to say ‘no’ but it came out ‘yes’ recounting that our

Heavenly Father will have His will and His way. He recognized his family

for their support and those in attendance that gave him encouragement along

the way.

Pictured is Mayor Jerry Medlin presenting Mr. Nelson a desk clock engraved with a commemoration of the event.

The 69th Annual Benson Chamber Banquet was held February 8 at The

Barn at Broadslab. The awards were given to the Chamber’s outstanding 2017

winners, along with civic club honorees. Outgoing Board Chairman, Paul

Boucher, recognized the new 2018 Chairman, Ben Cook.

The Benson Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Mission Statement…

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

In December, the Suzanne and Steve Cook family were

recognized by the Chamber for their generous support.

The Chamber Board Room is now named the

Benton-Cook Board Room. Thanks to this family for all of

their support throughout the years.

At the 26th year milestone in operation as own-ers of an independently owned business featur-ing the Gift Shop, The Boutique, Men's Shoppe and nationally recognized & award winning Gar-den Center, DeWayne Lee & wife Tina were honored with the Jo Co Economic Development Award, March 5th, 2018. The business has tran-sitioned through the years from the humble be-ginning as a roadside produce stand to what is now recognized as a year round shopping desti-nation for locals in and surrounding Johnston County to traveling shoppers nationwide!

Congratulations to DeWayne and Tina (Benson residents and Benson Chamber members). We look forward to many more successful years!

Kennedy’s Paradise Pawn and Jewelry has expanded their

business. They now have a Church Street Show Room

directly behind their Main Street Store. To visit, the Church

Street Show Room, stop by the Main Street Store and a sales

person will show you around.

The Church Street Store has new golf carts, new grills and

lawn mowers.

Congratulations to the Kennedy Family and their staff on this

expansion!

Business Spotlights

Larry Pierce Lawn/Landscaping, LLC was opened by Larry and Debbie Pierce in October 2011 only offer-

ing lawn care and expanded to offer landscaping in 2014. At that time, their equipment consisted of only the

basics; riding mower, weed eater and a backpack blower. Their first greenhouse opened in April 2016 and

they now cover three counties which includes Johnston, Harnett and southern Wake. The business that started

out almost seven years ago has now expanded and they offer minor grading, snow plowing and bush hogging

to their growing list of offered services. Our Work IS Our Reputation is the motto that the business is based

upon. They have a five star rating and a strong reputation for honest, dependable and affordable service. You

can contact the Pierce’s by calling 919.802.5736. They are located at 855 Morgan Road in Benson. Operating

hours are Monday thru Friday 7:30 am until 5 pm and Saturday by appointment only.

4 The Season Florist opened February 8 of this year. Located at 306 South Wall Street, Benson, owner Jean

Pope has 25 years of experience in fresh and silk floral designs. Jean was the owner of “Flowers by Jean” for

17 years and has worked with major leading florists for the past seven and a half years. A people oriented

business, Jean is open to learning what the Benson and surrounding areas feels is important in floral offerings.

She keeps up with the ever-changing styles and designs in the florist industry. The business can provide funer-

al designs, fresh arrangements, flowers for small weddings and has a large assortment of silk offerings. The

phone number is 919.207.5700.

Mark Your Calendars for the BACC Coffee Connections

Benson Chamber Office—122 East Main Street—8:00 AM

April 19—Town of Benson Manager—Town Update

May 17—Chris Johnson—Jo Co Economic Update

June 21—To be Announced

July 19—Chief Kenneth Edwards-Active Shooter Training

Thursday, May 3—7:30 AM—Benson Baptist Church

Benson will celebrate with the annual

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

More information will be available soon.

Sundown in Downtown Concerts

May 3—The Embers Featuring Craig Woolard

June 14—Band of Oz

July 4—Town of Benson’s 4th of July Concert—Spare Change

August 16—Liquid Pleasure

September 20—Mule Day Concert—Ronnie McDowell

October 11—Jim Quick and Coastline

CHAMBER MEMBERS RECEIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Black’s Tire & Auto Service has raised over $1 million in support of children at the Boys and Girls Homes of

North Carolina. This milestone was reached during the company’s charity golf tournament in September 2017

held at Long Bay Golf Club in Longs, SC. The tournament was started in 2002 and the record breaking 2017

receipts of $161,010.50 pushed their fund raising efforts over the million dollar mark. A scholarship has also

been established to help one child from B&GH pursue his or her educational goals beyond high school. Ricky

Benton, owner, stated that “none of it would have happened without all of you”, as he addressed the partners

and teams at this year’s event.

Benson McDonald’s owner, Doris Huebner, has been voted to North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Asso-

ciation Board of Directors. The announcement was made during the association’s Annual Meeting on Mon-

day, February 5. Mrs. Huebner brings a wealth of knowledge from her career-long commitment to the restau-

rant industry spanning 43 years. The Huebner family (Doris, Fred and son, John) own and operate 13

McDonald’s restaurants located in Garner, Zebulon, Clayton, Smithfield, Four Oaks, Dunn and Benson. Doris

has been an active NCLRA member for ten years and looks forward to serving the industry in a new capacity

while also using this as an opportunity to learn from her peers.

Established in 1947, the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) works to advance and

protect NC’s $23 billion restaurant, food service and lodging industry.

Welcome New Members!

4 The Season Florist Jean Pope

306 South Wall St. Benson, NC 27504

919.207.5700

Academy Mortgage Corporation Amy Johnson

8450 Falls of Neuse Rd. Ste. 102 Raleigh, NC 27615

919.741.1261

Larry Pierce Lawn-Landscaping, LLC Larry Pierce

855 Morgan Road Benson, NC 27504

919.802.5736

Sisters II Ice Cream Deborah Davis

PO Box 24 Benson, NC 27504

919.820.4076

Terri Sessoms PO Box 449

Smithfield, NC 27577

D. H. Johnson, III PO Box 6

Benson, NC 27504

A “Medication Drop Box” has been put into service at the Benson Police Department. It will operate in conjunction with the NC State Bureau of Investiga-tion, who provide the receptacle and will dispose of the collected medications.

The drop box is located in the front lobby of the Benson Police Department at 303 East Church Street and will be routinely accessible to the public to dispose of any un- needed medications during regular business hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Arrangements to dispose of medications at times outside the posted hours can be made by contacting Captain Greg Percy at 919.894.2091.

Bleecker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Bleecker Chevrolet

I-95 at Exit 73—Dunn, NC

April 6, 2018

Thank you 2018 Chamber Champions!