Changes

The regional and local economic development efforts are very deep and complex in Winston Salem and Wake Forest University. Originally, Winston Salem was home to many Tobacco tobacco factories where Reynolds cigarettes were rolled. Fast forwarding some decades after the cigarette industry began to move out of Winston Salem, the downtown area was completely abandon with large Tobacco tobacco factories which were once economic hubs, now completely empty. Years later, in the 1990's a Wake Forest academic group moved to this downtown area and renovated a space to conduct their research. Slowly, a new idea hatched that would transform the old buildings that once fueled the Winston Salem economy, into a biotechnology research park. This research park would create a new innovative and entrepreneurial economy in Winston Salem. Now, after two decades we are seeing the product of a great vision of a new hub where science, technology, and business can all come together. The hope is that the energy and revitalization of the downtown area will bring a new spark to the Winston Salem economy and therefore regional/local development.