Growing capabilities

Winston-Salem has long been at the center of North Carolina’s manufacturing corridor. While manufacturing is still a key component of the business profile, other target industries include logistics and distribution, financial services and data centers, life sciences and “green” industries.

Economic Profile

Winston-Salem is at the center of the Piedmont Triad Region, a top-40 MSA with over 1.6 million people and a workforce in excess of 810,000. Health care is Forsyth County’s largest employment sector with approximately 17% of workers at, or affiliated with, the two major hospitals and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Manufacturing continues to be a viable economic sector, employing 12% of the workforce.

Major private employers in Forsyth County include Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Novant Health, Reynolds American, Inc., Hanesbrands Inc., BB&T, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Wake Forest University, AT&T, Lowes Foods, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, GMAC Insurance, Liberty Hardware and Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery.

For more detailed demographic information please review our latest Demographic Report. We also invite you to use the links listed here to learn more about the area and the organizations that create opportunities for growth in and around Winston-Salem.