AdvanceTEC, LLC, a Clayton-based leader in cleanroom technology and innovation, recently marked a major milestone—25 years in business.
To honor the occasion, Clayton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dana Wooten presented a commemorative plaque to company founder John Burton and Managing Partner/Owner Bryan Phelan.
“On behalf of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, I extend our congratulations to AdvanceTEC, LLC on 25 years of excellence and innovation,” Wooten said. “Their investment in the Chamber and strong presence in Johnston County reflect a deep commitment to growing our local economy and business community. We are proud to celebrate this remarkable milestone with them and are grateful for the positive impact they’ve made across the region.”
AdvanceTEC’s Innovation Center, located in Clayton, North Carolina, serves as a cutting-edge hub for cleanroom and process prefabrication and modularization. The company specializes in offsite fabrication and modular cleanroom architecture, delivering advanced solutions to clients across North America in the biotech, nanotech, and cleantech industries. Their state-of-the-art facilities and expert team continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cleanroom construction.
Extension Agent receives Emerging Leader Award
Nicole Youngblood, an Extension Agent with N.C. Cooperative Extension – Johnston County Center has received this year’s Emerging Leader Award from the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. The award is reserved for a person under 40 who is making a difference in the community.
Dedicated to advancing agriculture and community engagement, Youngblood leads initiatives like the JoCo Grows program, local agritourism events and youth mentorship programs. As Vice President of the CALS Alumni & Friends Society and a participant in the NC Agricultural Leadership Program, she empowers others through servant leadership and a deep commitment to Johnston County’s farming community.
Robotics Program Prepares Students for the Workforce
What began as a high school space crunch has grown into a powerful workforce development tool in Johnston County. The North Carolina Robotics Initiative (NCRI), now housed in a 7,500-square-foot facility in Selma, offers students hands-on experience in robotics—skills increasingly in demand across modern manufacturing.
The initiative began when Smithfield-Selma High School’s robotics club lost its on-campus space. With support from Johnston County Economic Development and AdVenture Development, the team relocated to Eastfield Crossing, a mixed-use development in Selma. AdVenture donated the industrial space, seeing long-term potential for both students and the regional economy.
NCRI serves as a hub for middle and high school students interested in robotics, engineering and STEAM fields. Students like recent graduate Bhakti Patel, who will pursue engineering and business at NC State, credit the program with shaping their future. Others, like Eli Spottswood, gained experience in communications and project management, preparing for careers beyond STEM.
Local and state leaders see NCRI as a pipeline to prepare students for advanced manufacturing jobs with companies like Novo Nordisk, Grifols, and VeeTee Foods. With its alignment to programs at Johnston Community College and NC State, NCRI is poised to play a key role in regional workforce readiness.
