Joyce Blackley Named Downtown "Champion"

Businesswoman Joyce Blackley, a longtime advocate for downtown, has been named this year's "NC Main Street Champion" for Clayton by the Downtown Development Association (DDA).

Blackley, owner of Blackley's Printing Company, will be presented with the award Jan. 29 at the NC Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Statesville.

"Joyce Blackley has been a staunch supporter of downtown Clayton for many years," said Mayor Jody McLeod. "Among other things, Joyce has a special passion for the appearance of downtown and the Tree Lighting Ceremony, which she organized for 18 years. She is very deserving of this honor."

Blackley has been a member of the DDA, a town-appointed advisory committee, since 1988 and chair since 2006. She will step down from her leadership position at the end of December due to term limits.

Barry Woodard won the award last year.

The NC Main Street Program is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. Clayton has been a “Main Street Community” since 2006. The program is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance.