One major player in the transformation of the local economy is the Piedmont Triad Research Park. Located in downtown Winston-Salem, this corporate cornerstone was initiated seven years ago. When completed, it will encompass 220 acres, employ more than 30,000 people, and develop more than $2.5 billion in economic expansion. So far, park tenants include Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Targacept, and nearly 50 high-tech companies. This world-class research environment is a collaborative effort between academia, government, and the private sector.

In addition to becoming a hi-tech hub, Winston-Salem strives to be a digital design center. By harnessing the strengths of the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA), the community hopes to develop a unique niche, and it aims to emphasize the creative aspects of design in such areas as entertainment and education. The community will develop college and university training for those who want to create new video games, digital applications for medicine, and digital entertainment.