CLAYTON -- Hundreds are expected to descend on Clayton next week to attend a three-day conference promoting downtown revitalization.
From Jan. 25-27, the town will host the 2012 North Carolina Main Street Conference, a statewide gathering of planning professionals, architects, town managers and elected officials. It will be the first major conference to be held at The Clayton Center and event organizers anticipate 350-400 attendees.
"We're very excited," said Mayor Jody McLeod. "It's a real opportunity to highlight the town and for many to see what we've got going on in downtown Clayton."
The theme of the conference is "Main Street - Tips, Tools & Techniques for Downtown", and will provide attendees with strategies to stimulate economic development and promote downtown revival.
Clayton has been a member of the Main Street program since 2006. They applied to host the annual conference in 2009, according to downtown development coordinator Bruce Naegelen.
The program's goal is to help small towns recognize and preserve their historic fabric, and, using local resources, build on their unique characteristics to create vibrant central business districts that meet the needs of today's communities.
Naegelen noted this is the town's first opportunity to host a major conference. By doing so, it will help bring the focus of statewide downtown development mangers to Clayton. Usually held in larger towns such as Salisbury, New Bern and Statesville, he said this is the first time a smaller Main Street community has led the program.
"It's going to be cool to show off what we have going on in downtown Clayton," Naegelen said. "I hope members come away with seeing us as a growing town with a vibrant downtown area and will want to come back."
Participants will be staying in local hotels and bed and breakfasts as well as having the opportunity to shop and dine at area businesses. Officials see this as a potential boon for the local economy.
"The most important thing about this conference is the fact that our image is going to be enhanced by so many people coming into town and seeing what we have to offer," remarked Town Manager Steve Biggs. "That's the best type of marketing you could get and don't have to pay for. There will also be a short term, immediate impact with many of those people staying in our hotels and eating at our restaurants."
The conference is being organized by the NC Main Street staff but the host community still plays a role. It has been a joint effort between the DDA and the Town of Clayton. Naegelen has recruited members of the Clayton Women's Club to provide volunteers for the event, developed a walking tour of downtown and organized an opening reception at the Wagner House.
He said the program was important to downtown Clayton because of its emphasis in revitalization and redevelopment.
"Downtown is really the traditional, commercial core of a town," said Naegelen. "It's where the history and stories of a town begin and you can get a sense of local businesses and its infrastructure."
According to the program, new Main Street communities are selected every three years through a competitive application process. Eligible communities must have a population under 50,000, commit to hiring a full-time downtown manager and provide funding for operating the program for an initial three-year period.
Clayton and Smithfield are the county's Main Street representatives. Selma and Benson have also been selected as part of the Small Town Main Street program.
