GWS Q3 2025 Report by Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.

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STATE OF EDUCATION

ALL IN FOR OUR SCHOOLS

As attendees at the State of Education heard, a new community effort is underway in response to the financial crisis facing Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Greater Winston-Salem Inc. is proud to be a part of the new Education Collaborative along with more than a dozen other nonprofits, foundations, faith organizations, and advocates across Forsyth County. Learn how to give and get involved at the new online community hub: ALLINFOROURSCHOOLS.ORG

Our recent State of Education event brought everyone together to focus on a timely issue in our community.

With Interim Superintendent Catty Moore outlining WinstonSalem/Forsyth County Schools’ significant fiscal challenges and path forward, the event highlighted how these issues directly impact talent development, economic growth, and our community’s long-term success.

Along with Catty Moore and Mark Owens, we heard from a panel of higher education leaders:

• Dr. Janet Spriggs, President of Forsyth Tech

• Dr. Susan Wente, President of Wake Forest University

• Dr. Stevie L. Lawrence II, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Winston-Salem State University

The group emphasized that workforce development begins in the classroom, and partnerships are key to bridging persistent gaps in workforce participation and upward mobility. The conversation underscored a central theme: education is not only an academic issue, but an economic development imperative critical to Winston-Salem’s 2030 vision.

Presenting Sponsor: Bank of America | Gold Sponsors: Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Truliant Federal Credit Union | Floral Sponsor: Hege Financial Group | Parking Sponsor: LAMBERT Architecture + Interiors

PHOTO:

ACTIVE PROJECTS

PROJECT PIPELINE

40 PROJECT INTAKE IN Q3

92 ACTIVE PROJECTS

ADVANCED MFG | 69

$12B POTENTIAL INVESTMENT

ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. and Visit Winston-Salem are embarking on a collective, community-driven process to develop a Strategic Action Plan clarifying the path forward for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County’s economic future and sense of place. Kimley-Horn and Clarity of Place have been selected to guide the process.

FOOD & BEV MFG | 11

AVIATION | 2 LIFE SCIENCES | 6

BUSINESS | 2

OTHER | 2

21K POTENTIAL JOBS

• 12-16 month timeline

• Multiple opportunities for stakeholder input

• Upcoming website for ongoing engagement

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GMAX INDUSTRIES LAUNCHES LOCAL OPERATIONS

GMAX Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of disposable medical products, has chosen to etablish its manufacturing operations in Winston-Salem. The company is headquartered in New York.

GMAX Industries will locate on 5th Street, in a former WinstonSalem Journal facility, where it will operate its manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution functions. The project is expected to generate 42 new jobs and $15 million in capital investment over a 5 year period.

REAGENT CHEMICAL SERVICES LOCATES IN WINSTON-SALEM

ReAgent Chemical Services, Ltd., a United Kingdom-based chemical manufacturer, has selected a site in Winston-Salem to establish a new facility. The project is projected to generate 30 new jobs and $4.8 million in capital investment over five years. Among other North Carolina location assets, the company was favorable about the Winston-Salem market due to proximity to industry clusters including manufacturing, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals.

8 ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL CATALYST GRANTS

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. has awarded $50,000 in Entrepreneurial Catalyst Grants to eight Winston-Salem-based organizations that directly serve early-stage companies, helping create jobs, support innovation, and spur investment in Forsyth County.

Comunidad Mujer Valiosa

ElePitch Flywheel Foundation

S.G. Atkins CDC

GREATER WINSTON-SALEM INC. ANNOUNCES

THE BIONEST FUND

The CMPND, LCC

Winston Starts

Greater Winston-Salem Inc. has partnered with the Whitaker Park Development Authority to launch and fund a new program supporting life sciences companies. The BioNest Fund will provide up to $25,000 per company to support growth-stage, innovative life sciences companies relocating to or expanding in WinstonSalem. The fund aims to fill a critical gap for early-stage life sciences companies that often do not qualify for traditional publicly funded economic development incentives.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION HIGHLIGHTED

DURING THE INTERCITY VISIT

This September, leaders from Greensboro, High Point, and WinstonSalem explored the Triad together to spotlight local innovation, discuss regional opportunities, and build stronger partnerships across our cities. Participants gained insights into the Triad’s regional growth from knowledgeable experts in each city. The Intercity Visit was hosted by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Business High Point, and Greater Winston-Salem Inc.

Morning Refreshment Sponsor: Landmark Builders

Transportation Sponsor: Black Tie Transportation

1.7 MILLION RESIDENTS

25K DEGREES AWARDED ANNUALLY

815K AVAILABLE WORKFORCE

97K HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT

4TH & GREEN LLC

BETTER IMPACT

BETTY ON BURKE

BUILDMORE LLC

BUMP DESIGN

CEDAR HILL CENTER FOR NURSING

CLEAN BNB

DILL DINKERS PICKELBALL

DURO-LAST

ELEGANT PROFILE

ETHAN ALLEN

EXCELSIOR AT THE MANOR HOUSE

FAITH MEETS MEDICINE

FLOOR & DÉCOR

GO MINI’S

GOOD COMPANY MEN’S SALON

HOME AGENCY

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCATION OF WINSTON-SALEM

LAMAR GREENSBORO

LAW OFFICES OF SARAH YOUNG PLLC

LIVE BRIGHT CONSULTING

MANOLO’S BOUTIQUE WINE & BISTRO

MCADAMS CORPORATION

MISSION MOBILE

MITCHELL WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP

MODERN HOPE AUTISM CENTER

MOM LEAGUE

NO EXCUSES BE GREAT PRODUCTIONS

OKAY COFFEE

OPULENT MEDICAL SCRUBS

OPULENT PROFESSIONAL CELEANING & FLOOR INC.

PEOPLES BANK

PURE SWEAT SAUNA STUDIO

QXO

LOOKING FOR MORE LOCAL BUSINESSES?

REEDY PROPERTY

S&ME INC

SCHOOLEY MITCHELL OF WINSTON-SALEM

SHAVERS LEWIS REALTY LLC

SIGNATURE WEALTH STRATEGIES

SOLUTIONS AFOOT

SOMERSET COURT OF UNIVERSITY PLACE

SOUTHERN FIRST BANK STADLER

SUNRISE TECHNOLOGIES INC

THE LITTLE GYM OF WS

TRINITY SOLUTIONS US DUCT US METAL CRAFTERS

WHATABURGER

WILLOW VALLEY CENTER FOR NURSING REHABILITATION

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BARBERITOS

CTRL+V ARCADE

SMART MOVE GROUP

INTERIOR ELEMENTS

Q3 RIBBON CUTTINGS

ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE

BARBERITOS

CTRL+V ARCADE

SMART MOVE GROUP

APOTHECA CANNABIS DISPENSARY

SUNBIRD STORAGE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES

4TH & GREEN

FAITH MEETS MEDICINE

LITTLE RICHARD’S

M. DOUGLAS CRATER FIELD & STADIUM

TRULIANT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

INTERIOR ELEMENTS

OFFICE & INDUSTRIAL

Winston-Salem continues to offer a costcompetitive real estate market compared to national averages. Industrial vacancies have risen, but rent and sale rates remain affordable, well below the national average. Several notable transactions and multiple large manufacturing sales signal ongoing investor interest.

In the office sector, vacancy has edged up to 9.1%, still significantly below the national average of 14%. Asking rents average just $19.30/SF, about half the national benchmark, with growth across all property classes.

Strong sales activity, including Wake Forest University’s acquisition of the Linden Center on Research Parkway, underscores steady institutional investment and long-term confidence in the market.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

A SEASON OF PROGRESS

MARK OWENS PRESIDENT & CEO

This quarter has brought strong momentum for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. With new companies investing in our community and creating jobs, we continue to demonstrate that this is a place where businesses and people can thrive, and we continue to field new inquiries about locating here multiple times a week!

We are also laying the groundwork for the future through a community-driven Strategic Action Plan, in partnership with Visit Winston-Salem. This process will engage voices across Forsyth County to help shape our long-term vision for economic growth and quality of place.

Education remains central to our mission, and we are proud to join with partners across the county to launch the “All In for Our Schools” initiative. By working together, we can ensure that, despite WS/ FCS’s current challenges and fiscal hurdles, every student has the opportunity to succeed, every

teacher feels supported, and that our workforce remains strong.

Looking ahead, we are excited for two major events this fall. On October 22, the World of Work will connect thousands of WS/FCS 10th graders with local employers to explore career opportunities, and welcome the broader community to participate in a career fair that afternoon. Then, on November 4, we will gather for our Annual Meeting to hear from Spencer Baird, President and CEO of Inmar Intelligence, and to celebrate the companies and leaders driving our community forward with the annual awards for Innovation, Collaboration, and Small Business.

With continued investment, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future, Winston-Salem is building lasting momentum. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the months ahead.