WS Chronicle

A new community and economic report issued by the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce shows a diversification of industries and movement away from a manufacturing economy, as well as tremendous growth in the Hispanic population, interracial households, and non-traditional family households.

“Winston-Salem in 2013: Celebrating the Centennial, Focusing on the Future” was issued Tuesday during the Chamber’s State of the Economy Luncheon. It examines trends in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County over the last decade.

Prepared by the Chamber’s Research Department, the report used a wide variety of sources to provide a broad look at the local economy and how our community is changing, while also offering the Chamber’s thoughts about what these trends may mean for our future.

According to the report, the structure of the local economy continues to diversify, as it is increasingly based in health, professional, financial and educational services and less on manufacturing, which was once the dominant economic driver.

“With a broader employment base, the area won’t be as hard hit if there is a downturn in one particular area,” said Gayle Anderson, the Chamber’s president and CEO.

The Chamber believes the findings contained in the report can be beneficial to its members. “We encourage businesses to use this report when they are recruiting new employees or need to tell why Winston-Salem is a great place in which to live and work. We also hope it serves as a conversation starter when thinking about ways to improve our economy,” said Bret Marchant, the Chamber’s director of strategic economic development and research. “Within the challenges we are facing lie exciting opportunities to lay the foundation for Winston-Salem’s next 100 years.”  

Copies of the report are available by contacting the Chamber at 336-728-9200 or visiting www.winstonsalem.com.