Smithfield resident Todd Johnson, director of the Johnston County Heritage Foundation and the Smithfield Historic Foundation, has been named a 2025 North Carolina Main Street Champion, an honor recognizing individuals who contribute to vibrant downtown communities.
The annual award, presented by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, highlights efforts to strengthen downtown districts across the state.
Nominated by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC), Johnson was recognized for his work preserving local history while supporting downtown revitalization. His contributions include advocating for the preservation of the historic downtown theater, helping bring a Tuscarora mural to life and researching key aspects of Smithfield’s early history, including documentation of a Tuscarora burial mound once located in the town center.
“Todd’s passion for Smithfield runs deep, and his work has helped ensure that our history is not only preserved but meaningfully shared,” DSDC leadership said.
Johnson credited the community for the recognition and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration.
“Downtown Smithfield is a special place with so much potential as a cultural hub,” he said. “A lot of us get impatient when things don’t happen overnight, but we need to keep working together to find the right combination of visionary leaders, activists and investors needed to make our downtown all it can be.”
