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Dedicated to the core

What to know about the Carolina Core brand and how Winston-Salem benefits

Skyline of Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem in the distance. A winding sidewalk with a fence is in the foreground among green grass.

Who wouldn’t want to call this place home? | “View from Long Branch Trail”
Photo by Wendy R. (submitted for our 2023 Picture of the Year contest)

Winston-Salem’s economy is growing — and that’s not by accident. The Carolina Core is doing its part to attract businesses to our region. Loren Hill, Carolina Core’s Regional Economic Development Director, spoke to City Editor Cambridge about the brand and how Winston-Salem benefits.

Marking the momentum

In just six years, the 120-mile corridor that stretches west of Winston-Salem to Fayetteville has garnered more than $20 billion in capital investments. It’s now one of three economic engines in NC.

The Carolina Core has landed the largest jobs announcements in NC for two years in a row. The corridor has created 50,300+ office or industrial jobs. Carolina Core stakeholders now have a goal to create 100,000 by the year 2038.

“More than 33,300 of those jobs have come at places other than megasites. So it’s a mistake to say, ‘oh, only the growth is occurring where those four megasites are.’ [...] We’re having growth everywhere,” Hill said.

WStoday_Carolina Core — There’s a lot happening in this region of NC.
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Graphic by NC Carolina Core

Benefits for Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is the second-largest municipality in the corridor. Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. — Forsyth County’s chamber of commerce — is one of the economic organizations involved. Hill says the Carolina Core specifically promotes the biomedical and life sciences work happening in the city.

The Twin City is also ~45 miles from the PTI Aerospace + Greensboro Randolph megasites, which companies like Toyota and Boom Supersonic have selected for major manufacturing projects. Hill says the Twin City will attract employees looking for jobs and suppliers looking to do business with them.

The work continues

Hill says a big agenda item could soon have an impact on the Twin City. Stakeholders are working to get US 421 from Wilkesboro to Winston-Salem designated as Future Interstate 777. Many companies want to be close to interstates to move their products efficiently, so the designation would open up more business possibilities close by.

Blue skies with a four-lane highway divided by a median and guardrails. A single pickup truck is on the road going away from the camera. — Hill says a future I 777 designation would lead to safety improvements, too.
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Photo via Google Maps

Forsyth County commissioners have passed a resolution of support, but the final decision is up to Congress. Hill hopes legislation could be drafted and voted on as early as 2025.

How the brand started

Asked

What local economic development initiatives and announcements are you most interested in knowing about?

A. Workforce training + education
B. Companies moving to Winston-Salem
C. Jobs announcements
D. Business groups + networking opportunities

Let us know

Events

Tuesday, May 14

Bookmarks Presents Erik Larson | Tuesday, May 14 | 7-8 p.m. | Calvary Moravian Church, 600 Holly Ave. NW, Winston-Salem | $40 | Enjoy a conversation with the author about his new book “The Demon of Unrest”.

Wednesday, May 15

Neighborhood Services Open House Series | Wednesday, May 15 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Sprague Street Community Center, 1350 E. Sprague St., Winston-Salem | Free | Neighborhood Services will present new projects and updates on code enforcement, housing, community engagement programs, and more.

Thursday, May 16

Marketing Magic | Thursday, May 16 | 12-1:30 p.m. | The Enterprise Center, 1922 S. Martin Luther King Junior Dr., Winston-Salem | $5 | Register to get a better understanding of digital and print marketing strategies to elevate your small business.

Friday, May 17

Active Hope: Resilience and the Healing Power of Nature | Friday, May 17 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Salem Lake Marina Center & Fishing Station, 815 Salem Lake Rd., Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Spend the day hearing from panelists about the healing power of nature and end with a forest therapy experience.

Saturday, May 18

“Follow Your Heart” 2024 Quilt Show | Saturday, May 18 | 9a.m.-3 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Neil Bolton Home and Garden Building, 421 W. 27th St., Winston-Salem | $7 | Shop from vendors, take part in raffles, and meet other quilters at the final day of this two-day event.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Watch for detours if your travel takes you to Main and Sprague streets. Crews will close the intersection for water system improvements from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting today, May 14. The work is expected to be complete by Friday, May 17.

Civic

The Finance Committee will vote today, May 14 to recommend a contract to City Council to cover repairs to two city-owned apartment buildings. Risa Home Improvements and Construction, LLC has agreed to fix up 1200 Willie Dixie Dr. and 1635 N. Cleveland Ave. for $712,857. (Triad City Beat)

Number

$278,000. That was the average price of new and existing homes in Winston-Salem in March. That’s a 15% increase over March 2023 prices but a slight decline from the February average of $280,000. (Triad Business Journal)

Festival

Celebrate African culture through art, music, and wellness activities at the 1Love Festival from Thursday, June 27 through Saturday, June 29. The three-day event will host local, national, and international musicians, authors, DJs, poets, and visual artists in the Twin City.

Transit

The ForsythRides program is relaunching on July 1. The revised employment transportation program will provide individuals with transportation to and from work for three months — applications to receive rides are open through June 7.

Feel Good

This local mom has a lot to celebrate. Nursing graduate Morgan Tyner missed Forsyth Tech’s pinning ceremony to give birth to her son. Stephanie Russell, Tyner’s nurse at Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center, stepped up to host a special ceremony for her at the hospital. (WXII 12 News)

Regional

The NASCAR All-Star Race returns to the North Wilkesboro Speedway (~50 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem) on Sunday, May 19. The Fan Zone opens today at 10:30 a.m. — check out the full list of events at the track this week. (FOX8 WGHP)

Eat

Breakfast is the “most important meal of the day,” right? If you’re looking to spice up your mornings, try this quick fruit + oat breakfast bake or this easy crustless quiche recipe — your body and your taste buds will thank you.*

Civic

Second time’s the charm

What to know about the second primary election on Tuesday, May 14

Blurred background of a parking lot with an "I voted" sticker.

Only some residents can get stickers this go around. | Photo by WStoday

The second primary election in NC is today, May 14. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s the first statewide runoff since 2012

According to state law, when no primary candidate receives at least 30% of the vote, the candidate who comes in second can demand a second primary. That’s what happened in the statewide Republican races for Lieutenant Governor + State Auditor.

Not everyone can vote

Only Republican voters, unaffiliated voters who did not vote in the March 14 primary, and unaffiliated voters who voted a Republican ballot in March are eligible to head to the polls.

Your polling place may have moved

You can find your polling place based on where you normally cast your ballot. Don’t worry, the change is temporary.

Normal election rules apply

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Remember to bring a valid ID if you vote in person. Your absentee ballot must be returned to the Forsyth County Board of Elections (201 N. Chestnut St.) by 7:30 p.m.

The Buy

The Buy 5.14.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Clinique’s Take The Day Off cleansing balm makeup remover. This balm’s silky, buttery formula dissolves long-wearing makeup and sunscreens — and it’s one of the brand’s best sellers.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

I’m ready for a summer full of eating homegrown produce. Where do you get your locally grown fruits and vegetables? Let us know so we can give local farms and produce stands some love.

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