The Triangle Community Coalition had another successful Coffee Chat with the Town of Clayton on March 13, 2013. Joining our members in an informal chat were Mayor Jody McLeod, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Grannis, Councilor Art Holder, Councilor Jason Thompson, Town Manager Steve Biggs, Deputy Town Manager Nancy Medlin, Pubic Utilities Director Tim Simpson, Town Engineer John McCullen, Planning Director David DeYoung, Downtown Economic Development Director Bruce Naegelen, Town Clerk Sherry Scoggins, and Public Information Officer Stacy Beard.
We provided the Town of Clayton leadership with a better perspective of the Triangle Community Coalition’s goal to be a proactive partner in growth and land use issues and to work with senior staff and elected officials to develop policies, regulations, and procedures to encourage economic development, produce predictable (yet flexible) outcomes for all stakeholders, and protect the community’s interests.
The Town appreciated the TCC’€™s ability to offer objective facts and information in efforts to improve public policy debates and create effective working relationships between the business community and local government. We had some great interaction with the TCC membership in attendance and had opportunity to talk about the following:
The Town’€™s commitment to a vibrant downtown and land banking to provide community amenities including a future 120 acre park along the Neuse River;
The Town’s partnerships with the City of Raleigh and Johnston County on growing demands for wastewater and water resources;
The Town’€™s creative business incentives and grant program to not only encourage new employers to locate in Clayton but also the ongoing partnership with existing industry to ensure stability and support expansion;
The Town’s welcoming attitude, shared political ideals, and customer service focus on development and community outreach;
The Town’s vision for smart growth along the NC 42 and US 70 Business corridors to ensure quality development;
The Town’€™s competitive advantages with quality health care, strong presence in bio-pharmaceutical, and stable school system;
The Town’€™s outlook on continued steady residential growth and demand for services not readily available.
How the Triangle Community Coalition can work with the Town to offer the development community’€™s perspective on Small Area Plans; and,
The Town’€™s geographic challenges related to being on the fringe of the Triangle, landlocked to some degree with U.S. Agriculture and Johnston County development, and less immediate proximity of major highways
as compared to Garner, Smithfield, and Goldsboro.
v If you are interested in participating in future meetings with the Town of Clayton or future Coffee Chats, watch for notices or contact the TCC offices 919 812-7785 or Charlene Logan at charlenel@tricc.org to reserve your spot! These programs are a great way for you, as an exclusive benefit as a TCC member, to become active and help the TCC strengthen our relationships with local jurisdictions throughout the Triangle.