Greater Winston Salem Inc. was honored to host a sold-out crowd of over 650 of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County’s business and community leaders at the State of the Economy, proudly presented by Reynolds American Inc.! The room was energized as North Carolina Governor Josh Stein took the stage to share thoughtful insights on our state’s economic future.
This event was more than just a gathering of community and business leaders—it was a celebration of progress. From accelerating workforce development to forging dynamic partnerships, the momentum across the Triad and beyond is undeniable. We’re building something special, and the spirit of collaboration is driving a real, impactful change.
A true highlight of the day was honoring Graham Bennett, who recently retired from Quality Oil Company, with the prestigious Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award. His legacy of leadership and service continues to inspire all of us.
Big things are happening—and we’re just getting started. Here is a look at the key takeaways from the economic report shared by Mark Owens, President and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem Inc.:
- Graduation rate steady at 85.4% – highest in the district’s history.
- Median household income: Now at $65,541, showing meaningful upward mobility.
- Labor force participation: Holding steady at 61.8%, with targeted efforts underway to increase opportunities through Forsyth Works and other initiatives.
- Since 2020, 2,700 jobs have been announced (compared to 2,200 from 2010–2020).
In his keynote address and subsequent Q&A, Governor Josh Stein celebrated Winston-Salem’s leadership and laid out his vision for sustaining statewide growth through workforce investment and inclusive policies.
The Governor emphasized a commitment to:
- Doubling apprenticeship programs in the next four years
- Making community college free for students pursuing high-demand careers in health care, advanced manufacturing, and IT
- Investing $250 million in workforce development, including rural apprenticeship programs and talent recruitment across state agencies
- Expanding universal Pre-K and kindergarten readiness programs.
“North Carolina has been ranked in the top two states for businesses four years running. We are the third fastest-growing state in the nation trailing only Texas and Florida since the last census, and Greater Winston-Salem Inc. has been integral to this success story,” says Governor Stein. He emphasized the importance of education, talent, and workforce initiatives spanning Pre-K through adult learners, saying “we cannot afford to leave anyone’s talents on the sideline. There is talent in every person, we just have to make sure that we give that person the opportunity to express it and have confidence in themselves to be able to pursue whatever their dreams are.”
Sponsors:
Atlantic Union Bank, Forvis Mazars, Hanesbrands, Inmar Intelligence, NC Carolina Core, Wake Forest University, Womble Bond Dickinson, Truliant Federal Credit Union