Downtown Leaders Want Business Experts

The Downtown Development Association (DDA) is working with the Raleigh Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) to get a chapter of the business-savvy organization started in Clayton.

Many feel that some help and guidance from experts could boost business in the area, said Leslie Hubbard, Vice-chair of DDA's Economic Restructuring Committee.

"A SCORE chapter in Clayton will benefit not just downtown businesses, but business owners and potential business owners throughout Johnston County," she said.

Business leaders from here have been meeting with the Raleigh chapter over the last few weeks, putting together information and making plans. The next step is finding experts in the area who would be willing to join, and they'll be taking their first step toward that at a May 19 meeting at the Clayton Center wih prospective mentors.

“The ideal candidates are successful business professionals, retired or currently working, who are willing to volunteer their time to mentor small business owners,” said DDA Chair Ed Knight. “Once we’ve identified a dozen or so potential counselors, we’ll schedule an introductory presentation with representatives from the Raleigh SCORE chapter and go from there.”

SCORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of small business start-ups, existing business growth and education nationwide and is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Nationally, SCORE has over 400 chapters and more than 10,000 volunteers who provide free counseling and low cost workshops to new and existing small businesses. Both working and retired executives with small business and corporate backgrounds volunteer their time and expertise as counselors.