WSBI Annual Meeting speaker Mike Randle video interview available
Mike Randle, publisher of Southern Business and Development magazine, recently spoke at the Winston-Salem Business Inc. Annual Meeting. His perspective on economic development in the South was well-received by those in attendance and we were fortunate to be able to interview him for our blog.
We have made several video clips of our interview with Mike Randle available for viewing on our YouTube channel. You can see all of them here.
In the segment below, Mike Randle discusses the growth in manufacturing jobs in the South:
For more of our interview with Mike Randle, click this link.
Industries that Love Winston-Salem, and Why: Part 3
Upon further analysis, the data suggests Winston-Salem.
In economic development, individual regions tend to focus their efforts on specific industries. In this series of posts, we’re examining why several individual industries have focused their expansion efforts, ultimately, in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County.
Data Centers
Back in 2010, a somewhat surprising accolade was bestowed upon Winston-Salem in a specific, highly competitive industry—data management. The city earned the number four spot out of 45 metropolitan areas nationwide for cost-effective operation of data centers in a survey by Boyd Co. of Princeton, NJ. But if you dig into the details a little, you find that Winston-Salem’s allure for the data industry actually makes perfect sense.
Solid foundation
Data management is one of those crossover industries that touch virtually every other sector. However, there are specific industries where data has been a vital part of daily business for quite some time. Two of those industries are financial services and healthcare. Think of the sophistication it takes to manage, process and protect individual banking transactions and patient medical data. When you consider Winston-Salem’s enduring history and thriving relationships with these industries, the data story seems like a natural fit for the area.
Smart workers
Companies across a wide range of industries have entered the area and ended up being overwhelmed by the quality of the workforce in Winston-Salem and the surrounding Triad. In many ways, the more technologically advanced their business is, the more impressed these company leaders are by the ability of area workers to get up to speed in a hurry. That’s a big deal for data centers where companies cannot afford any slip in performance or security.
Smart institutions
Naturally, the availability of a quality workforce suggests there is either something in the water that enhances the minds of area workers, or that there are institutions in place here that do an excellent job of training and retraining people. We’ve gone on elsewhere in this blog about the success of Forsyth Technical Community College, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem Sate University and other area institutions at developing area talent. So, we’ll just say that having these high-end institutions adds to the attraction for companies looking for new data center locations.
The ultimate proof of Winston-Salem’s value to the data management industry is in the companies that have established data centers here. Lowe’s Cos., Data Chambers LLC, Wells Fargo and other institutions have chosen to establish data centers in Winston-Salem. And more could be on the way.
As they say, the data doesn’t lie.
What other industries find Winston-Salem irresistible? More to come in Part 4.
Links to Part 1 and Part 2 in our series.
Is American Manufacturing on Track for a Comeback?
We recently came across this article from Rich Smith of the Motley Fool posted at DailyFinance.com and wanted to share it with our readers.
The article points out that “there are signs far up the supply chain that suggest an emerging renaissance in U.S. manufacturing.” Give it a read when you can.
Winston-Salem is Proud to the Host RiverRun International Film Festival
The RiverRun International Film Festival is a regional event based in Winston-Salem, NC and is one of the premier film festivals in the southeastern United States. The 14th annual RiverRun will be held April 13–22, 2012. This video provides a wonderful overview of the event:
Enjoy!
Industries that Love Winston-Salem, and Why: Part 2
Advanced Manufacturing is building in W-S.
In economic development, individual regions tend to focus their efforts on specific industries. In this series of posts, we’ll examine why several individual industries have focused their expansion efforts, ultimately, in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County.
Advanced Manufacturing
Is it fair to say that manufacturing in the U.S. is making a huge comeback? Perhaps, especially when you look at the kinds of manufacturing facilities that are developing. The key word in all of this is “advanced.” And Winston-Salem, Forsyth County is drawing more attention lately from companies in this sector. What makes this area appealing to the Caterpillar’s of the world? Here are three ideas.
Access to Markets
Location almost always comes first. In advanced manufacturing, this is particularly important. The Southeast U.S. is experiencing a bit of a manufacturing Renaissance as companies realize the value of expanding in this region. Standing out within the Southeast can present a bit of a challenge. But here’s where Winston-Salem, Forsyth County scores high marks. It’s more than location. It’s the relatively easy access to other markets that puts the city on so many short lists. With excellent options for transportation and shipping, including a FedEx hub close by, much of the world’s markets are within reach. In fact, more than half the U.S. population lives within 600 miles of Winston-Salem.
Workforce Quality
Like much of the South, manufacturing runs deep in the area. The difference for many is the level of quality associated with our manufacturing tradition. Textiles and furniture industries may not be the staples they once were, but the skilled workforce that characterized those industries remains. Companies that choose Winston-Salem develop a quick appreciation for the dedication to craftsmanship that permeates the workforce.
Less Haste. More Speed.
Frenetic could never describe life in Winston-Salem. The easy-going nature of people here is disarming, to be sure, but make no mistake: business here moves with purpose and pace. As manufacturing processes continue to become more innovative and technical, company leaders continue to marvel at how quickly their operations can get up to speed in Winston-Salem. One executive visiting Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC) was shocked (and delighted) to find that the framework for training their workers was mapped out before he had finished his campus tour.
Other qualities come into play, of course, for individual companies. But when you combine workforce quality with easy access to major markets, then get operations up and running to a high standard on time or ahead of schedule — you end up with a formula for attracting the attention of advanced manufacturing companies around the world.
What other industries are looking our way? We’ll continue in Part 3.
Caterpillar Opens In Forsyth County
On November 16, the new $426 million Caterpillar advanced manufacturing facility opened in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
WFMY News2
We’ve collected some of the news stories of the grand opening event in the links below:
- Winston-Salem Journal article.
- Digtriad/ WFMY News 2
- WXII 12
- The Triad Business Journal article
- News 14 Carolina
Enjoy!
WSBI introduces free WS Business mobile app
Winston-Salem Business Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of our new WS Business mobile app.
Developed specifically for WSBI, the WS Business mobile app serves as your gateway to important economic development news and events in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, NC. The WSBI mobile App allows users to:
- Get updates on economic development news and events in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
- View available buildings and sites for your business along with maps and an overview of each site
- Get an inside look at Life in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
- Stay connected with WSBI via Twitter and other social media platforms
Developed by Winston-Salem technology firm MobileClik, the WS Business App is available for download at the Apple AppStore.
For more information, please click here.
November 10, 2011 at 11:04 am Bob Leak, CEcD Leave a comment
Industries that Love Winston-Salem, and Why: Part 1
Life Science and Biotech thrive in W-S. Here’s why
In economic development, individual regions tend to focus their efforts on specific industries. In this series of posts, we’ll examine why several individual industries have focused their expansion efforts, ultimately, in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County.
Life Sciences and Biotechnology
With the steady growth of life sciences and biotechnology-related businesses, one might assume that any community has a legitimate shot at being the location of choice for one of these forward-thinking companies. In reality, there are key elements that tend to make certain locations stand out over others.
In the case of Winston-Salem, some of those elements revolve around where and how innovation tends to happen. For instance…
Academic chops
It’s fun when the hometown college has a great football team. But real academic quality tends to be the main attraction for big brains, big ideas and big business. More importantly, quality of academics has to extend beyond ivy-covered walls to state institutions and community colleges. And it’s not something that happens over night. For generations Winston-Salem has nurtured its universities and colleges as they have grown into regionally, nationally and in some cases globally recognized academic and research institutions.
Dedicated environment
Any community can throw the words “research park” in front of an office park and claim they have the perfect place for science or tech-related businesses. In truth, the research parks that succeed are developed with purpose in mind. Particularly for life science and biotech, parks must be designed and created with innovation and collaboration in mind. Piedmont Triad Research Park in downtown Winston-Salem is an urban campus based on those exact objectives with a hearty technology backbone and community-wide support.
Innovation street cred
Businesses and institutions want to be where innovation tends to happen, perhaps because they see it as a sign that an area is conducive to creativity and collaboration. Successful breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, along with innovative programs in biotechnology have earned Winston-Salem a well-deserved reputation for a culture of creativity.
Naturally, other attributes play significant roles in the decision to start-up, expand or relocated here. But it is the community’s understanding of and commitment to creativity and innovation that companies love.
What factors make other industries’ hearts beat faster? We’ll dive into another industry in Part 2.
Bob Leak, CEcD
WSBI Admin
