New Downtown Clayton Gateway Sign Unveiled

The first gateway sign into downtown Clayton was unveiled this morning. The new sign is located as you turn onto E Main Street from US 70 Business. The mayor, members of the Town Council, Downtown Development Association, Chamber of Commerce and other members of the business community were in attendance.

Just before the sign was unveiled, Mayor McLeod told the crowd, ”When you live in a community for a long period of time you assume everyone knows where their downtown is, but with the influx of so many people in our area, we want to make sure everybody knows where downtown is.” (video)

The Downtown Development Association's Design Committee developed the final concept about six months ago, and following various testing to determine the best place to locate the sign, construction began about 8 weeks ago with local companies doing all the work. Joyce Blackley was chair of the DDA when planning for the sign began and said she was delighted the sign was completed. “This sign is very important to our businesses downtown and we thank the mayor and our town officials for making this day possible.”

Current DDA chair, Ed Knight recognized past Design Committee chair, Jeme Avent for her committee’s efforts in designing and help in determining where the sign is located. Other members of the Design Committee include current Chair, Boo Carver, Holley Carpenter of Cider House Studio, Jeme Avent of Avent-Permenter Group and Joyce Blackley.

In attendance at the unveiling were, Mayor Jody McLeod, Town Council members, Art Holder, Bob Satterfield and Michael Grannis, DDA members Ed Knight and Boo Carver, Chamber of Commerce President Wanda Markuson, and interim director Jazz Woodward, downtown business owners Courtney Trasti and Dee Norris of The Loft. Charles Bryant and Ann Duck of Suburban Real Estate, Century 21 on US 70 business also joined the festivities.

The Town of Clayton contracted with Signage of the Carolinas, a downtown business, to lead the project. They teamed with All American Iron Works, another downtown business, for the wrought iron framework and Atlantic Stone in Benson for the stonework.

The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to coordinate revitalization work in the historic downtown district. The Clayton DDA advocates and provides business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements, and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, Millstock Music & Art Faire, Oktoberfest and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.

Photo: front row l-r): Charles Bryant, Ann Duck, Dee Norris. (second row l-r): Skip Browder, Town of Clayton Planning Director; Town Councilmen Bob Satterfield and Art Holder; Mayor Jody McLeod; Joyce Blackley, Blackley’s Printing; Councilman Michael Grannis; Courtney Trasti, The Loft; Boo Carver, DDA Design Committee chair; Ernest Blackley; Ed Knight, Chair, DDA; Wanda Markuson, President, Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Jazz Woodward, Interim Director, Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce.