The Town Council voted to adopt an updated 2025 Economic Development Strategic Plan designed to align the town’s economic work with its 2024 strategic plan and current market conditions.

Economic Development Director Joe Stallings presented the update and said the plan refocuses the department’s work on five goals, including increasing Clayton’s competitive position, attracting commercial and industrial real estate, strengthening the economic base by servicing existing industry, marketing the town’s assets, and improving intergovernmental relations. "This plan really comes about as a way to update our former economic development plan and align it more correctly with the council's adopted 2024 strategic plan for the town as well as the current market conditions that we're facing in the town of Clayton," Stallings said.

Why it matters: Stallings said the town’s tax base is about $5.5 billion and roughly 4% is in manufacturing and industrial uses; the plan aims to balance fast residential growth with new commercial and industrial product.

Implementation and timeline: The plan outlines year-one implementation tasks and assigns departmental responsibilities. Stallings said a newly hired economic development coordinator will report to the department and help execute short-term actions. Council members praised the plan’s clarity and one-to-three-year goals before moving to adopt Resolution 2025-90.

Council procedure and outcome: Council member moved to adopt Resolution 2025-90; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Stallings said staff had already begun implementation steps considered "low-hanging fruit," and the town will pursue partnerships and targeted marketing as part of early actions.