Business View Civil Municipal - Sept 2023

38 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 Clayton’s Strategic Location and Commuting Advantages Simon highlights Clayton’s advantageous position in relation to major metropolitan areas. “Our closest metro area is Philadelphia,” he says. “We’re strategically located between two major arteries leading to Philadelphia: Route 55 on the west and Route 42 on the east.” This positioning ensures residents are just about half an hour away from the town. Simon, who himself commutes to Philadelphia, adds, “It’s an easy commute. We’re close enough to enjoy the town’s amenities, yet distant enough to relish Clayton’s suburban tranquility.” Furthermore, Clayton’s location offers more than just proximity to Philadelphia. “We’re roughly 50 minutes from Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore, positioning us right in the middle of various attractions,” Simon shares. This central location, combined with the town’s ongoing commercial initiatives, underscores Clayton’s appeal as a place of growth, opportunity, and connectivity. Safety, Education, and Collaborative Governance in Clayton Simon speaks with evident pride about Clayton’s educational landscape. “Our ranking has been on an upward trajectory in terms of testing and safety,” he notes. The town boasts modern facilities, with the high school being a mere decade old and the middle school also housed in the state-of-the-art building. “Due to our technological advancements, we were ahead of the curve when Covid struck. All students were already equipped with iPads, ready for remote learning,” Simon adds. He emphasizes the close-knit relationships between teachers, students, and parents, stating, “The rapport we have in our schools is second to none.” Miller chimes in to highlight the town’s safety measures. “We’ve partnered with the county for shared EMS services,” she says, highlighting the strategic decision to ensure efficient emergency response. Thanks to Gloucester County’s alliance with Inspira Health, the town also boasts an Inspira Health EMS hub, Discussing other commercial prospects, Miller reveals, “We’ve been in talks with several hospital and physician organizations. With the retirement of a long-standing provider, Dr. Carl Schopfer, who served for over 40 years, there’s a palpable need for medical facilities.” Whether it’s urgent care, a physician’s complex, or a rehab center, Clayton is actively seeking to enhance its medical offerings. “Given our sizable senior population, having healthcare facilities within the town would be ideal,” she emphasizes.