Prestigious "Main Street" Conference Jan. 25

Downtown is all abuzz these days as town leaders hurriedly work to get ready for the three-day NC Main Street Conference, which kicks off here Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Restaurants won't be the only service stressed when nearly 400 Main Street Program managers, downtown revitalization board members, town planners and elected officials from all over the state converge here for a series of workshops, education sessions and meetings. Town leaders are also expecting a large number of downtown development professionals, such as designers, architects, historic preservation experts, landscape architects and event planners.

”We are honored and delighted that Clayton was chosen to host this important conference,” said Mayor Jody McLeod. ”This will be an opportunity to show that downtown and all of Clayton is a great place to invest.”

The theme of the conference is “Main Street – Tips, Tools & Techniques for Downtown." The opening reception will be held at the Wagner House.

Education sessions will 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 drill down on 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 on 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 in Clayton’s vibrant downtown during the conference, said Downtown Development Coordinator Bruce Naegelen. He said the Downtown Development Association (DDA) has been doing "plenty of planning and research" getting ready for the huge conference.

Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Partlo, who has worked with The Woman's Club of Clayton on similar events, will be in charge of around 50 volunteers over the three days, most of them Woman's Club members. Anyone would like to join them in volunteering for the event can contact Partlo at llpartlo@embarqmail.com

The Johnston County Visitors Bureau is helping out in a number of ways, too, including operating the Conference Information Booth, in concert with the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

Naegelen said parking remains a concern, though officials have lined up some additional off-street parking within walking distance of The Clayton Center. A “parking lot shuttle” will be available for convenience and in case of inclement weather. The DDA is also providing shuttle service from the Comfort Suites in Clayton and Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express in the 40/42 area.

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.

“We conduct a comprehensive assessment of a community before we select a host city,” said Liz Parham, Director of the N.C. Department of Commerce Urban Development Division. “They must have quality downtown facilities that can comfortably handle up to 450 participants, committed volunteers, Town Council and staff support and good amenities. We feel that Clayton has the right combination of these components for a great conference.”

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.

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.

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