CLAYTON, NC – The Clayton Chamber of Commerce (CCOC)’s mission is to be a champion for education in Johnston County, so CCOC strives to be an advocate for all students, teachers, and principals in Johnston County. CCOC supports the Johnston County Public School System during its rebuilding process because of the demonstrable effects a school system has on business, economic development and workforce development in a county growing as quickly as Johnston County. The CCOC Education and Legislative/Governmental affairs Committees express support to Johnston County Public Schools, the Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ben Williams, and most importantly the school system’s teachers, principals, and students.  
 
At this pivotal time in our county, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce supports unity and leadership between the JCPS Board of Education and the County Commissioners. This is an opportunity to set a path forward to provide sound educational institutions to our students, which will subsequently promote businesses, economic development, and workforce development in Johnston County and the Town of Clayton. For these reasons, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce asks that the Johnston County Commissioners and the Johnston County Board of Education work together for the greater good of this county, the students and the teachers. The County Commissioners and the Board of Education working together to address the current budget for the rest of the 2020 school year was a great first step. Moving forward, CCOC advocates for a collaborative plan to address long term challenges.  
 
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, Edwin Jackson, said “On behalf of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, we feel as though the Interim Superintendent, Dr. Ben Williams, is both competent and committed to making the crucial improvements Johnston County Public Schools need. Especially during this decisive election year, it is important that the superintendent, Board of Education and Johnston County Commissioners continue to elevate the sense of unity they have started to curate, for the betterment of Johnston County.” 

It is critical for businesses, industries and citizens of Johnston County that the County Commissioners and the Board of Education continue to work together to find solutions that are in the best interest of students and teachers.  
 
For more information on CCOC’s mission and initiative-based committees, visit www.claytonchamber.com/committees. In an effort to help voters stay informed leading up to the Board of Education election, CCOC hosted a candidate forum which can be viewed in full on the CCOC YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/DIcEbWuW3gg. 
 
About the Clayton Chamber of Commerce
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit civically engaged economic advancement organization led by the businesses that invest in our mission. The Clayton Chamber of Commerce (CCOC)'s mission is to champion business, economic development, and education in Clayton, North Carolina. CCOC achieves this mission by Collaborating with various organizations through forums, task forces, committees, and even one-on-one conversations; advocating within the community, various organizations, and governments; and providing innovative solutions, community pride, business marketing opportunities, networking, and professional development through various signature events and other initiatives. The Clayton Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. 

2018 was a monumental year for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. CCOC’s mission driven words—advocate, collaborate, and innovate—were at the forefront of all our 2018 accomplishments. We are so proud to publish our first annual report. If you want to see what our mission (to champion business, economic development, and education in Clayton, NC) looks like in action, view the report  (click the button) below.
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The Clayton Chamber of Commerce (CCOC) Economic Development Committee's vision and action plan rollout with the Town of Clayton at our quarterly Eggs & Issues event was packed with people and important information and initiatives.

Working collaboratively with the Town of Clayton on its place branding expansion efforts (including a call for district sub-branding) and supporting the Johnston Community College goal of establishing a Clayton Campus (to foster a pipeline of talent across all sectors for the emerging workforce needs in the area) were just a few highlights from the action plan shared during the event.

Town of Clayton Economic and Community Development Director Dave DeYoung also provided the following eye-opening stats during the event:

• With 32.1% growth (2010-2017), Clayton is in top 10 fastest growing municipalities (for populations greater than 10k and less than 100k) in North Carolina.
• Currently at 21,405 (US Census, 2017), Clayton is forecasting its population to exceed 44,328 (the current exponential growth calculation) by 2040.

Learn more and read CCOC's Economic Development Committee's entire vision and action plan inside our Impact Agenda here.

The CCOC Economic Development Committee includes: Jim Perricone; Ruth Anderson; Dana Wooten, Bobby Bunn; Dave DeYoung; Kaitlin Russo; Kyle McDermott; Tara Abernathy; Edwin Jackson; Greg Kennedy; Charlie Bell; and Beth Watson.

Note: This collaborative presentation included some very exciting goals and action items that made everyone “Think Clayton.” And that included the local news.

Here is a news clip that aired the same evening (we spy a few CCOC investors and our board chair) > https://www.wral.com/business/video/17660261/