NC Carolina Core

Downtown Greensboro’s skyline is getting another change! The Carroll Companies has secured a $25.4 million permit for its AC Hotels by Marriott at Parkside, setting the stage for vertical construction on its $150 million mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Greensboro. The hotel will have 159 rooms, a lobby bar and the city’s first rooftop restaurant. Phase two will include 337 upscale apartments, 16,000 square feet of retail, and 4,500 square feet of event space. Once complete, Carroll at Parkside will bring new vibrancy, hospitality and investment. Greensboro continues to grow as a hub for lifestyle, talent and innovation in the Carolina Core. https://bit.ly/4nnv9Mr Downtown Greensboro Inc. Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

The North Carolina Economic Development Association Fall Conference in Asheville provided an opportunity for the latest NC Carolina Core Trivia Reception. —Carolina Core Trivia is a chance to learn more about our regional assets, economic development wins, and one another. Plus we network and have fun. —Amazingly all attendees always give correct answers (well, sometimes with the help of their seat mates or the host). —Attending from Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) were Abbie Jordan Currens, EJ Wilson, Blair Holland, Holly Minton, Dylan Finch, Tracy Dellinger, Katy Parker, Kristin Bunn, Leslie Sykes, JD, Savannah Walker, Melanie O'Connell Underwood, and Stephanie Blair. —Carolina Core economic developers playing trivia were Marvin Price from Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; Adam Shull, MPA, CZO, from Burlington, NC Economic Development; Bryan Eatmon of Person County Economic Development, Crystal Mason Gaddy of Sanford Area Growth Alliance; Natalie Dean Hawkins, PMP and Darryn Burich of Moore County Economic Development Partnership; Leigh Cockram of Rockingham County Economic Development & Tourism; Tristan Bailey from High Point Economic Development; Savannah Heath, MBA, NCCED, from Montgomery County; and Trey Blackwood, MPA from Greater Winston-Salem Inc. —Important allies at the reception were Nancy Johnston from North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech); Brian Maas, REM, Vice-President of ECS Southeast; Cyndi Dancy of Dancy Consulting; and David L. of N.C. Commerce Dept. —Thanks go to our youngest-ever-trivia-player Sawyer Gaddy (who is 11 years old), Chris Johnston of Davidson County Schools for accompanying Nancy, and my wife Joyce Hill for keeping me on track and being our photographer. Sawyer nailed his question about “The Brick Capital of the USA” without any assistance! #NCEDA2025Fall, #NCEDA, #CarolinaCoreTrivia, #CarolinaCore, #MoreInTheCore, #ncCarolinaCore

Wake Forest University just opened a wider gateway to higher education in the Carolina Core. Beginning in fall 2026, Wake will offer tuition-free education to incoming undergraduates from North Carolina families earning under $200,000. Students from families earning under $100,000 will also have living expenses covered. Those with families earning between $200,000 and $300,000 will receive 50% tuition aid. This is a transformational investment in the future of our region, removing financial barriers and expanding access to world-class education for more local students. https://bit.ly/4gB9RIm Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

Bonita Brown has officially taken office as the 14th Chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, becoming the first permanent female leader in the university’s 132-year history. Born and raised in Winston-Salem and a proud graduate of Wake Forest University, Chancellor Brown brings deep North Carolina roots and a national reputation for leadership in higher ed. She now leads a university that: • Enrolls nearly 5,000 students • Drives $660M+ in local economic impact • Supports more than 7,000 jobs • Receives $29M+ in federal research funding • Sends over 70% of its alumni into North Carolina’s workforce With a legacy of excellence and a mission that uplifts both students and community, WSSU plays a powerful role in the future of the Carolina Core. Chancellor Brown’s leadership will help ensure the university remains a driver of education, innovation, health equity and economic mobility across Winston-Salem and beyond. https://bit.ly/42JFIB1 Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

Founded by Dr. Murali Ramaswamy, PulmonIx, LLC is rooted in both medical excellence and entrepreneurial vision. What began as a 250-square-foot research space inside LeBauer Pulmonary is expanding to over 2,600 square feet, with plans to double the staff and increase access to cutting-edge trials for asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. The company is already a leader in offering early access to promising therapies. With Cone Health as a clinical partner, Pulmonix is proving that the Carolina Core is a thriving hub for innovative life sciences companies. This is what happens when clinical care meets community-based innovation. And it’s happening right here in the Carolina Core. https://bit.ly/46k7iaj Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

From the UK to the Carolina Core. 🇬🇧 🤝 🇺🇸 ReAgent Chemical Services, a custom chemical manufacturer based in the UK, is launching its first U.S. facility in Winston-Salem, bringing $5.6 million in investment and 30 high-quality jobs in the coming years. This win was made possible by strong partnerships and shared vision: • Greater Winston-Salem Inc. led business recruitment • Winston-Salem City Council and Forsyth County approved targeted incentives • Forsyth Technical Community College will provide workforce training support This is what momentum looks like. https://bit.ly/3IsbYlo

High Point University has officially unveiled the Workman School of Dental Medicine, a state-of-the-art facility that’s training the next generation of dentists while serving the community with free dental care. This new hub not only elevates High Point’s role in health sciences education, but it’s also a catalyst for revitalization, workforce development and improved quality of life in the Carolina Core. With students coming from diverse backgrounds, and the university planning to expand into oncology and other healthcare fields, this is just the beginning. https://bit.ly/46mu818 High Point Economic Development

The film "The Bard" just wrapped in Winston-Salem, the latest sign that the Carolina Core is becoming a destination for filmmakers. With support from state incentives and world-class training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, the region is attracting indie productions and launching careers. As production expands beyond traditional North Carolina hubs like Wilmington and Charlotte, the Carolina Core is stepping into the spotlight, offering both creative talent and diverse locations, from Main Streets to military academies. Hollywood’s next hub? We’re ready to roll. 🎥 https://bit.ly/4nh07Wj Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

A new BioNest Fund, launched by Greater Winston-Salem Inc. and the Whitaker Park Development Authority, will provide up to $25,000 in performance-based support to early-stage biotech and life sciences companies looking to expand or relocate in Winston-Salem. To qualify, companies must: • Lease or purchase space in Winston-Salem • Show a commitment to local hiring With assets like Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Forsyth Technical Community College and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, plus proximity to major players like Novant Health and Advocate Health, Winston-Salem is becoming a thriving hub for regenerative medicine, biotech R&D and advanced biomanufacturing. This is yet another signal that the Carolina Core isn’t just part of the innovation economy. It’s helping lead it. https://bit.ly/4nmsHFX

Today is National Manufacturing Day, a celebration of the people and places building what’s next. In the Carolina Core, that future is already taking off with new advanced manufacturing jobs fueling opportunity from Greensboro to Winston-Salem and across our 120-mile corridor. Whether it’s EV batteries, supersonic aircraft or life-saving biotech, the message is clear: 🌟 Talent is the engine. 💡 Innovation is the fuel. 🚀 The future starts here. Explore what’s ahead at MFGDay.com Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Greater Winston-Salem Inc. National Association of Manufacturers - NAM