Northwest North Carolina (Winston-Salem Region) - Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Scope of Work

In December 2002, the Northwest North Piedmont Council of Governments hired AngelouEconomics to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the eight county Northwest North Carolina region including Winston-Salem. During the planning process, AngelouEconomics conducted an economic assessment, SWOT analysis, benchmarking study, workforce development plan, entrepreneurship plan, and a comprehensive marketing plan for each of the eight counties and the Region as a whole. During the process, more than 2,000 individuals provided AE with their ideas through interviews, focus groups, and an online survey.

Upon completion of the project in November 2003, AE helped organize a project rollout event attended by 800 people. The 43-member CEDS Committee and the Atlanta EDA office unanimously adopted the final strategic plan. One EDA official has stated that AE’s strategy “sets the gold standard” for other CEDS projects and is among the best he has seen in his 20-year career. Implementation of the plan began in January 2004. In August 2004, the CEDS received an Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO).

Implementation Results

The unique tradition of design became the common thread that tied each county together within the regional CEDS. The plan identified the arts as a major engine for growth and ranked both digital design and biotechnology high in potential for the Northwest North Carolina region. As a result, the State has since allocated monies for a new School Of Design in the Region and Forsyth Tech Community College has developed a national biotechnology curriculum model. The region also received an EDA grant to fund a $1.5 million workforce center in Surry County.  All total, the Northwest North Carolina region has received more than $10 million in new grant funding.

The biggest success story for the region was the 2004 announcement that Dell would open its 3rd U.S. manufacturing operation in Winston-Salem, creating 1,500 jobs. Since the announcement, AngelouEconomics has played a vital role in preparing the region for Dell and its many suppliers that will be moving to the region.  Other recent successes include 80 new jobs and an $8 million investment in Surry County (Pilot Mountain) by Poli-Twine, Inc., a Canadian rope and twine manufacturer, and 350 jobs and a $44 million investment in Ashe County by Smiths Aerospace Components, a Europe-based aerospace equipment company.

Follow-Up Work and Implementation Support – Design Incubator Study

AngelouEconomics was hired again in mid-2005 to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for creating a Design Incubator that will become a model of success in the U.S. AE developed case studies of other Design Incubators around the world and provided marketing and organizational recommendations. The Center for Design Innovation has received funding commitments of over $12 million for facility construction and operations.

Northwest North Carolina in the News:

AngelouEconomics Predicts Design Incubator to Attain Full Occupancy Within 18 Months of Launch

Study Shows Strong Demand for Design Incubator

Ashe County Recruits Aerospace Company

Gov. Easley Announces 80 New Jobs and $8 Million Investment for Surry County

Dell Computer Plant Officially Opens in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Puts Technology In Action - www.ReallySmartPeople.org

Surry County Goes Fishing in Dell Pond for Financial Ripples:  Forsyth's neighbor sends group to Texas, soliciting future business

Moving Towards the Goals:  Northwest N.C. has paid attention to what study said on economic growth

Business North Carolina:  Consultant has designs on northwestern N.C.

Entrepreneurs to get more support

Growing Forward: Northwest North Carolina's Regional Approach to Economic Development
NCSA Plans Digital Future: Design center aims for national status

Triad Colleges Unite for Design Institute

Tech Design Way to Help Triad

Digital Design Catching on in NWNC:  Angelou assessment proving on the mark

AngelouEconomics Unveils ED Plan in Northwest North Carolina
Region Should Focus on Design
Residents Want Industry:  Rural counties want to depend less on Forsyth for jobs
AngelouEconomics Identifies Projects that can Provide Economic Boost to Surry County