Main Street Conference Attracts Hundreds

The prestigious three-day NC Main Street Conference got underway here Wednesday afternoon, bringing hundreds of movers and shakers from all over the state for a series of workshops, education sessions and meetings on downtown revitalization.

Mayor Jody McLeod got things started with a brief history of Clayton, reminding attendees of the town's national top 10 ranking by Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine for quality of life, affordability and quality of schools.

"You know, we're known as 'The Premiere Community for Active Families' for a reason," the Mayor said. "And it isn't because we have more parks than anyone else or a bigger downtown or more to do at night. It's because of the spirt we have here in Clayton. The spirit of our people. We've made a decision to keep striving to get better, to keep improving. Whatever it is we are today, we want to be more tomorrow. And, we're not going to stop. We've ingrained that in our DNA."

He credited teamwork for the success in revitalizing Clayton's downtown.

"We not only had an increase in downtown businesses since the last Main Street Conference, but in downtown jobs as well," he said. "And, it's not because we're lucky. We worked for it. Our Downtown Development Association worked for it. Our town government worked for it. Our residents worked for it by buying local. We're a team, and we work together. Our downtown isn't just a collection of businesses and streets. It's a collection of people---all individuals, but part of the same team."

Following the Mayor's opening remarks, the group took a walking tour of downtown, finishing up with a reception at the Wagner House.

Before the week is out, officials expect nearly 400 Main Street Program managers, downtown revitalization board members, town planners and elected officials from all over the state to converge here. Town leaders are also expecting a large number of downtown development professionals, such as designers, architects, historic preservation experts, landscape architects and event planners.   

The theme of the conference is “Main Street – Tips, Tools & Techniques for Downtown." The local planning committee includes Richard Rairigh, Betsy Grannis and Bruce Naegelen of the DDA; Laurie Partlo and Dianne Carroll of the Woman’s Club of Clayton; Clayton Center Director Heidi Stump and Town Manager Steve Biggs.   

Education sessions Thursday and Friday include topics such as Economic Development Needs and Solutions; Volunteer Development and Management: How to Get a Younger Generation Involved; Design Enhancements with the Use of Color; and Purposeful Events that Foster Economic Development. Keynote speakers will talk about emerging trends, today’s downtown planning strategies, real estate development tools and downtown initiatives that are attracting new generations of business and property owners as well as downtown users.  

A total of 21 Main Street and Small Town Main Street Awards will be presented by NC Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco during the Awards Program Thursday night, Jan. 26, including two for Clayton projects. The Town of Clayton won the statewide award for "Best Outdoor Space Improvement" for the Horne Square Project, and downtown property owner Dorothy “Dot” Parker won Special Recognition for "Best Façade Rehabilitation Project under $15,000 in cost" for 126 E Main Street, formerly known as “The Little Shop.” Town of Clayton Operations Center Employees will be recognized as well, after being named Clayton's "Main Street Champion" for 2011.   

Most of the activities will be held at The Clayton Center's Conference Center, located in the heart of downtown. Attendees will have plenty of opportunity to tour, shop and dine downtown during the conference. State officials said Clayton was selected to host the prestigious conference, because it's a good example of downtown success and because of the ongoing support downtown leaders get from town government.   

The N.C. Main Street program assists selected communities across the state in restoring economic vitality to their historic downtowns, using a comprehensive downtown revitalization process developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Clayton was selected as a Main Street Community in 2006, and is one of four Main Street-related communities in Johnston County. Smithfield is also a Main Street Community, selected in 1986. Benson (2008) and Selma (2009) are part of the Small Town Main Street program. For more information on the program, please visit www.nccommerce.com/cd/urban-development/main-street-program