Communities
The state of North Carolina is divided into seven different metropolitan MSAs. In the center of the state lies the sought after region known as the Piedmont Triad.
The 12-county MSA is home to the major cities of High Point, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro. Those inviting and opportune cities, along with many smaller cities and towns that make up the region, all contribute uniquely to the region’s appeal.
Offering easy access to major cities along the East Coast, the Triad is connected to more interstate highways than any of the state’s MSAs. Interstates 40, 85, 73, and 74 connect citizens to jobs in the various cities in the region, and also offer up vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains or along the coast.
Outside of the larger Triad cities lie the interesting and lively communities of Asheboro, Burlington, Clemmons, Graham, Kernserville, Lewisville, Lexington, Reidsville, and Thomasville.
“The Triad has a lot to offer,” said Devin Whitley, a local small business owner. “It is a great place to raise a family and the schools have a good reputation. In fact, some of the schools consistently rank highly.
“Plus, the foothills offer easy access to the mountains and the beach for vacations, and there are a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities to explore in the Triad. If you’re looking for high quality furniture, then High Point is the place for you. The Triad is also home to vibrant parks and recreation departments that oversee miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.”
The Triad also offers many institutions of higher education that help fuel the local economy with a well-equipped workforce. Opportunities abound for those looking to continue their education in hopes of career advancements or a new venture.
More than 12 institutions of higher education are located within the Triad, including Wake Forest University, Salem College, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, High Point University, Guilford College, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), Greensboro College, Bennett College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Elon University. Elon University recently opened the state’s fifth law school.
One of the organizations dedicated to economic development in the Triad is the Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP). Knowing that a large part of the Triad’s economy going forward will hinge on the entrepreneurial sector, the PTP works to support regional resources in creating a culture that is supportive of entrepreneurs and works to address specific gaps in the support system across the region.
“We have the resources to support almost any kind of economic development project from headquarters and research and development to advanced manufacturing and data centers,” said Don Kirkman, president and CEO of PTP. “And, the Piedmont Triad is an excellent place to live and work. The region’s mid-Atlantic location and excellent transportation network make this region an ideal location for companies that manufacture or distribute goods to East Coast markets.”
Following the decline in industries like furniture and textiles, many Piedmont Triad cities began offering incentives to advanced manufacturing, high-tech, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies to relocate operations here. A strategy that has paid off for the local economy, companies continue to take advantage of the central location and educated workforce, creating jobs for residents in advanced industries.
The biggest economic news in the Piedmont Triad is the opening of the new Caterpillar facility in Winston-Salem. Caterpillar, the largest maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines in the world will employ hundreds in heavy manufacturing in an region which has lost much of its manufacturing industry “We are very excited that Caterpillar has chosen Winston-Salem and Forsyth County for this operation,” said Winston-Salem Business Inc. president Bob Leak, Jr. “This is undoubtedly one of the largest economic development announcements in the history of our community.” The capital investment in the new building and equipment is expected to reach $426 million.
Located in the city’s business district and centered in the North Carolina technology corridor, PTRP’s expansion plans, led by Wake Forest University Health Sciences, are underway to revitalize its 240 acres over the next few decades. Currently, the PTRP community encompasses six buildings that provide more than 554,000 square feet of wet laboratory, office, meeting, and residential space.
As for entertainment and cultural options, major art and historical museums contribute to the diversity of the region, including the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Old Salem, High Point Historical Museum, Mendenhall Plantation, the Weatherspoon Museum of Modern Art, Blandwood Mansion and Gardens, the Greensboro Historical Museum, Guilford Battleground National Military Park, and the Charlotte Hawkins Brown State Museum.
The area also has its fair share of scientific museums, such as SciWorks, the Wake Forest Museum of Anthropology, and the Natural Science Center of Greensboro.
No matter where you live in the Triad, there are plenty of recreationally driven activities for those who like hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and golfing. Plus, many of the towns and the cities in the Triad offer a robust slate of organized sports for people of all ages.
From professional hockey, the best college basketball in the country, PGA golf, and NASCAR racing, the Triad keeps its sports fans busy. The Triad’s central location in the middle of sports crazed North Carolina is a little recognized fringe benefit. Within a few hours’ drive, you can see a Carolina Panthers NFL game, a Carolina Hurricanes NHL hockey game, or you can take in a NASCAR race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in nearby Concord.
You could also simply stay home and watch the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum, or take in the PGA’s Greater Chrysler Classic at Forest Oaks Country Club.
For some of the shopping in the state, the Piedmont Triad is home to some very large malls that are sure to please even the most finicky buyers. Winston-Salem’s Hanes Mall is one the largest in the state and Greensboro’s Four Seasons Towne Center is the only three-story shopping mall in the state.
There are numerous reasons why people relocate to North Carolina particularly the Triad area. It has been discovered as a great place to do business because of the available land, variety of educational institutions providing an educated workforce, and an affordable cost of living.
Whether you choose to live in one of the region’s action-packed big cities, or prefer the quiet and slower pace found in smaller cities and towns, we’re confident that you’ll be right at home in the Piedmont Triad!