A brief history of CCOC.
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce (CCOC) was established in 1951 as the Clayton Merchants and Credit Association. From its inception, it became an integral part of the growing Clayton community, awarding the town's first "Employee of the Year" (now called Citizen of the Year) and hosting an annual town festival (now called the Clayton Harvest Festival) the same year. Staff originally worked in various buildings in Downtown Clayton. After several decades of growth, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce was ready for a larger office space. First Citizens Bank generously gifted the historic Clayton Banking Company building to CCOC in 1995. Erected in 1919, the local landmark is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. CCOC then embarked on an interior renovation project in 1997 led by former Executive Directors Melissa Oliver (1994-1998) and Sally Schlindwein (1998-2010) in order to make the building functional as a chamber. With more than 50 years of service to the Clayton community, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce continues to occupy this beautiful architectural landmark.
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(1) Executive Secretary Rochelle Bolyard, 1971. (2) CCOC Barbour Street location, 1986. (3) Construction of The Clayton Banking Company, 1919. (4) First Citizens Bank in Clayton, 1969. (5) CCOC interior renovation, 1997. (6) and (7) Executive Directors Melissa Oliver (1994-1998) posing at the vault and Sally Schlindwein (1998-2010) posing with a design board celebrating the interior renovation project, 1997.
The future's so bright.
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce has a rich and proud history. A history that is deeply rooted in community involvement and the cultivation of relationships with businesses, residents, and key stakeholders. Because of this, CCOC can confidently set its eyes on the future. We know our community is growing. We also know it takes an enormous amount of business advancement and elevating opportunities to influence Clayton's future. The dedicated board of directors and staff of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce are deeply committed to our mission. We hear the excitement in your voices when you talk about our community's potential. It drives us everyday. We can't wait to look back at the 2020-2022 bullets on CCOC's history timeline. What will they say? For now, today, we are...
Building Clayton's Future.
Why choose a Chamber business?
Support Chamber businesses. The businesses in our directory are businesses in the Clayton, NC and surrounding areas that not only "do business" here, but have also taken the extra step by investing in the Clayton Chamber of Commerce's mission (to advance business development, elevate opportunities, and influence the future of the Clayton area). They also show community leadership through engagement in Chamber events/activities, committees, task forces, and other initiatives. By supporting these businesses, you play a key role in Clayton's economic growth. Look for a CCOC investor decal, ask us, or search our online business directory for our investors.
