The Town of Clayton has been awarded a $324,000 Building Reuse grant from the Rural Economic Development Center to help Turkington Industries move its North American operations into a vacant industrial building in East Clayton.

The funds will go toward renovating a 53,825-sq.-ft. metal building at 8182 US 70 Business that has been empty for some time. 

The company will bring a total of 140 jobs to Clayton. Of the new jobs, at least 27 will be new to the company and created as part of the relocation and expansion of operations at the Clayton site. Total investment is expected to top $4.5 million.

"With unemployment levels in the Johnston County area so high, this news couldn't have come at a better time," said Mayor Jody McLeod. "Turkington Industries will be an excellent addition to the Clayton community, and we much appreciate the help provided by The Rural Center."

The grant is being awarded through the Rural Center's Building Reuse & Restoration Fund, which helps local officials put vacant industrial sites to good use.

Turkington, which designs and manufactures equipment for the baking industry, has been operating in nearby Goldsboro for nearly three decades, but must move out of their present facilities when their lease expires this fall. About 113 of the company's employees are expected to commute to Clayton, and at least 27 more will be added when operations begin.

The multi-national company is privately-owned with headquarters in Lancashire, England. Its primary focus is the design, manufacture and installation of custom-built, automated equipment for the industrial bakery industry worldwide. Their products include mixers, proofers, coolers and ovens, as well as automated product handling and packaging systems.

The company's major North American customers include Pepperidge Farm, Flowers, Sara Lee and Interstate Bakeries.