Clouds hung low over Clinton this Tuesday morning, Sept. 30, but the atmosphere inside Star Communications’ brand-new headquarters was bright with pride, gratitude, and optimism. Community leaders, local and state officials, employees, and residents gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the cooperative’s 42,000-square-foot campus, a project nearly a decade in the making after Star’s previous home was lost to flooding from back-to-back hurricanes.
“This day is special, special,” said Donna Bullard, CEO and executive vice president of Star Communications, as she welcomed the packed crowd to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I’m honored you ran across town to be here with us today. We thought we might be standing in hurricane-force winds, but by the good Lord above, we were spared again. And we are honored to be here together.”
The new corporate campus includes a 33,000-square-foot main headquarters and a 9,000-square-foot operations building. Certified as an environmentally friendly LEED facility, the site houses more than 60 employees under one roof, consolidating offices that for years had been spread across five different locations.
“This building gives us the chance to reunite employees and reconnect with our customers,” Bullard said. “It is crucial to have our staff under one roof so that we may be efficient in our efforts to provide the best telecommunication service to the five counties we serve, Sampson, Bladen, Duplin, Columbus, and Cumberland.”
For employees, that unity was already evident. Bullard noted that just the day before, staff had been able to hold a meeting in one of the new common spaces to discuss the threat of a possible hurricane. “In the past, we would have had to juggle calendars across five different locations or use a Teams call,” she said. “Now we’re here together, able to collaborate immediately. It’s an incredible difference.”
The project is a testament to perseverance. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew inundated Star’s former headquarters. Just two years later, Hurricane Florence brought more devastation. For nearly nine years, Star employees worked from scattered offices while leadership pursued a permanent solution.
“This is the silver lining to those devastating storms,” Bullard told the audience. “Today, we proudly stand in a facility built to last, one that represents not just recovery, but progress.”
She credited architects John Farkas and his team at JKF Architecture, along with Jeremiah Daniels and Carl Russell of Daniels and Daniels Construction, for turning the vision into reality. She also thanked the North Carolina General Assembly for House Bill 103 in 2022, which secured vital funding for the project.
Board President Thurmond Smith reflected on what the new facility means for both employees and customers.
“This has been a long time coming, and long needed, to give our employees a good environment to work in,” Smith said. “This is a remarkable time in our history. Star Communications is not a small business anymore, we are big business, and we’re proud to serve our customers in five counties. This building shows that we’re fixed for a long time.”
In a follow-up conversation, Smith said he hoped customers truly understood the size and impact of Star. “People around here just don’t know how big Star Communications is,” he said. “We were able to build this beautiful building and we’re sitting here debt-free. That’s a strong position for us as a cooperative, and it’s all about making sure we can continue to provide quality service.”
He added that the company’s growth has always been driven by customer need. “Good leadership has been key, but ultimately it’s our customers who shape the future of this company,” Smith said.
The significance of the day reached beyond Sampson County. Walter Bowers, director in Governor Josh Stein’s Charlotte office, traveled from the Piedmont area to deliver a message from the governor himself.
“Five years after flooding destroyed your previous headquarters, you now have a permanent hub where employees and customers can do business,” Bowers read from Stein’s letter. “North Carolina is proud to be home to Star Communications, which has provided affordable and high-quality service since 1959. I look forward to your continued success as we work to build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous North Carolina.”
Bowers, who had previously worked in Sampson County as part of Baptists on Mission disaster relief after Matthew and Florence, spoke personally about the transformation. “To see what was once damaged beyond use, and now to see this new, beautiful facility, it’s a testament to perseverance, to leadership, and to the cooperative spirit,” he said.
For local leaders, the new headquarters also sends a signal about Sampson County’s economic potential.
Ray Jordan, executive director of the Sampson County Economic Development Commission, said the project is an example of how homegrown companies can become anchors in the community. “A lot of our corporate headquarters here in Sampson County are the result of local entrepreneurs investing in their own communities,” Jordan said. “When you can not only attract a company but also get them to put their headquarters here, you really have a home run. That means long-term investment back into the community.”
Bullard agreed, saying the facility demonstrates Sampson County’s readiness for future growth. “For economic development, this shows that Sampson County is aggressive, modern, and forward-looking,” she said. “We’re not just keeping up, we’re setting a standard.”
Even as the new facility officially opens, Star is looking to the future. Bullard reiterated the cooperative’s commitment to expanding fiber internet throughout its service territory. By August 2026, she said, 97 percent of members will have access, with the remainder covered through additional grants and capital investment.
“We are here for the long haul,” Bullard said. “No matter the challenges, we will continue to grow, continue to serve, and continue to be a partner in building stronger communities across eastern North Carolina.”
Star had previously announced that it will host a Customer Appreciation Day at the new headquarters on Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., inviting the public to tour the building, meet staff, and enjoy food and fellowship.
As the ribbon was cut and guests toured the halls, employees beamed with pride. For many, the day was more than just an opening ceremony. It was proof that despite setbacks and storms, Star Communications had come full circle — stronger, united, and ready for the future.