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Over the past year, the region of Northwest
North Carolina has been engaged in a detailed economic study to
identify its area assets and to prepare the region for future
growth and development. The region retained Austin, Texas-based,
AngelouEconomics, an international economic development consulting
firm, to complete a federally funded Northwest North Carolina
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for North Carolina’s
5th U.S. Congressional District. In August 2003, AngelouEconomics
presented a Target Industry Analysis and in November 2003 presented
its marketing plans and recommendations.
AngelouEconomics has identified the Design industry as a perfect
niche with high growth potential for this community and region.
Targets were selected based on those industries that could best
leverage the existing strengths of the local economy, fit the
needs of the community, display growth potential nationwide and
help energize regional economic growth. The group also identified
financial services, biotechnology/medical technology and logistics
as ideal target industries.
As part of continued efforts to maximize industry business diversification
and employment growth for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, Winston-Salem
Business Inc. (WSBI) commissioned Whittaker Associates, Inc. of
Holland, Mich., to conduct an extensive study to provide additional
support and in-depth analysis of the design industry, its myriad
segments and growth trends, as well as categories of partners
and companies that should be engaged to expand the industry locally.
Results of the study, received in late December will be used as
a basis for additional targeted marketing programs to be developed
and executed by WSBI.
“While mature and expanding industries, such as banking and
biotech, will continue to drive regional economic marketing, WSBI
believes that the Angelou report’s initial findings related
to the design industry warrant further investigation and consideration
for long-term growth for Winston-Salem,” said Bob Leak Jr.,
president, Winston-Salem Business Inc.
“The Whittaker study identified growth trends in the design
industry that will allow us to better understand the opportunities
in this business segment for our region and community,” said
Leak. “Winston-Salem has many critical elements already in
place for positioning our community as a design center and we
hope to capitalize on those elements. While we may have much to
accomplish to get there, design offers additional diversification
needed for economic stability.”
WSBI is particularly excited about the design initiative and envisions
a community that would stand out in the marketplace as a central
hub for all aspects of design, from graphic design to computer-aided
animation to industrial design.
“By working in partnership with our own North Carolina School
of the Arts and other area colleges with design programs, we will
provide a foundation for Design Center growth here in this community;
providing intellectual capital, outstanding technical resources
and young talent for growing design firms to access,” said
Leak.
Design occupations are expected to grow by 20-35 percent over
the next ten years with software-related applications the fastest
growing. The industry has shown remarkable growth in the past
ten years and the average annual wage for design occupations in
North Carolina has shown steady increases.
WINSTON-SALEM
BUSINESS INC.
1080 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
336. 723.8955
800. 220. WSBI
fax 336. 761.1069
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