Regional Overview 2007

Winston-Salem, North Carolina lies at the heart of the South Atlantic Region.  As the midpoint between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA, Winston-Salem is a city perfectly nestled along Interstate 40, providing convenient access to the entire Eastern Seaboard, urban centers in the Midwest and Southwest, and international markets.  North Carolina stands out as a vibrant, highly productive state, offering both a favorable business climate and exceptional quality of life.

Forsyth County, the home of Winston-Salem, is located in the north-central section of North Carolina.  With an estimated 2004 population of 320,764, Forsyth is a core county of the Piedmont Triad region which boasts a population of more than 1.5 million people.  This statistic represents a significant labor market and resource for area businesses.  The Triad area consists of 12 counties with the cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Burlington forming its core.

The technology research and development industry has taken flight in Winston-Salem over the past few years.  With the opening of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, a significant addition to North Carolina’s “Biotechnology Corridor” emerged.

In addition to the rapidly expanding technology sector of Winston-Salem’s economy, Federal Express has decided to open a new hub at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, which is scheduled to be fully operational by 2009. Businesses that provide time-sensitive, value-added products in such industries as electronics and pharmaceuticals, as well as general logistics and suppliers will be able to capitalize on this new venture which has opened doors for a variety of opportunities and growth.