JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – Following the recruitment of a $1 billion rare-earth magnet manufacturing facility to Benson, Johnston County economic development leaders are looking to the defense industry as a potential source of additional jobs and investment.
A new task force of the Johnston County Economic Development Advisory Board is developing a strategy aimed at attracting defense manufacturers, technology companies and other businesses involved in the national security supply chain.
The effort is being led by Steve Hargis, vice chairman of the advisory board and a retired brigadier general in the North Carolina Army National Guard.
“As the national security terrain shifts, Johnston County has location, land and human assets that come together to position it for job growth and investment attraction,” Hargis said…