Abstract:
Johnston County was the state's fastest growing county in 2004 and the fiftieth fastest in the nation. The year was also an outstanding one for business with more than $170 million in new business locations or expansions and creation of over 1,200 new jobs. Formerly an agricultural and low-end manufacturing community, the county focus is now on pharmaceuticals, distribution, and tourism. The county benefits from convenience and accessibility to three major highways, U.S. 70, I-40, and I-95; close proximity to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport; and Wake County and its thriving economy.