The JoCo Report was founded in 2017 by Matt Sponhour, a local resident of Johnston County, North Carolina. Sponhour, who had a background in marketing and communications, saw a need for more comprehensive local news coverage in the rapidly growing county. He started the website as a passion project, aiming to provide timely and relevant information to the community. The idea was to create a digital platform that could keep pace with the county's development and offer news in a more accessible format than traditional print media. Today, the JoCo Report remains independently owned and operated by Sponhour. Based in Johnston County, North Carolina, the JoCo Report covers a wide range of local news topics including county and town government affairs, education, business developments, community events, and local sports. The website provides regular updates on infrastructure projects, school board decisions, and economic developments that affect Johnston County residents. While primarily focused on local issues, the JoCo Report also covers state-level news that impacts the county. The site features a mix of original reporting, press releases from local organizations, and community submissions, aiming to be a comprehensive source of information for Johnston County residents. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of the JoCo Report is its commitment to fostering community engagement through its “Community Voices“ section. This feature allows local residents, including high school students, to contribute articles and opinion pieces about issues affecting Johnston County. This approach not only provides a platform for diverse local perspectives but also helps cultivate the next generation of community journalists, setting the JoCo Report apart from many other local news outlets.