The Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, NC) is the nations 46^th most populous MSA, with a population of nearly 1,500,000.  Along with the traditional economic industries of textiles, tobacco and furniture, the Triad's economy is fueled by the medical industry (Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Moses Cone Health System, High Point Regional Health and Novant Health) and warehousing and distribution.  Located within 500 miles of one half of the nation's population, the Triad is a natural fit as a distribution hub.  Larger distribution centers include Polo Ralph Lauren (1,100,000 sf), Lowes Home Improvement (480,000 sf), K-Mart (1,500,000 sf), Harris Teeter (900,000 sf), Liberty Hardware (900,000 sf), and Proctor and Gamble (580,000 sf).

The Triad is fortunate to be the recipient of recent major economic development announcements.  The Piedmont Triad International Airport will be the home of a new FedEx east coast sorting hub, slated to open in 2009.  The FedEx hub will be a $250,000,000 economic development project and will initially employ 1,600 people.  It will be the primary FedEx facility serving the east coast.  Dell recently completed a major computer manufacturing and assembly facility near Union Cross Business Park in Winston-Salem.  The 500,000 square foot facility is Dell's largest North American plant.

The Triad is also recognized for its overall quality of life and cultural offerings.  The area is home to eight colleges and universities and eleven community colleges.  The downtowns of both Greensboro and Winston-Salem are enjoying a renaissance period, with major public and private investments in residential, recreational and cultural developments.  The region is located within a 90 minute drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains, a three hour drive to the North Carolina beaches and a 50 minute drive to the golf mecca of Pinehurst, NC.