Located 28 miles southeast of Raleigh, North Carolina's capital city, Smithfield is a classic Southern small town with just over 11,000 residents. The town was established on the banks of the Neuse River as the seat of Johnston County Government in 1777, making it one of the 10 oldest towns in the state. The Downtown Development Corporation works to promote, enhance, and develop Smithfield's historic downtown.

The corporation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded in 1984. Downtown Smithfield won designation as a state and national Main Street commnity in 1986.

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation operates with property-tax revenues from a municipal service district established for the mutual benefit of property owners and merchants. Matching funds come annually from the Town of Smithfield.