Wake Forest - Wake County Municipality Highlight - Wake County Economic Development

Wake Forest is located just northeast of Raleigh in the northern portion of the Research Triangle Region. With a population of more than 35,000, the community has a small town feel, but with big city industry. From defense and wireless technologies to engineering and education, major employers thriving in this forward-thinking community include CenturyLink, The Body Shop, Ultra Electronics – 3 Phoenix, and PowerSecure. Wake Forest is also the proud home to the Wireless Research Center of NC, the only center of its kind in the country. This nonprofit center is a unique combination of specialized testing facilities, business incubation, and intellectual property guidance that offers a safe and trusted environment for invention and development of wireless technologies.

Wake Forest Economic Development is a program of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce. Wake Forest Economic Development serves as the economic development agency for the Town of Wake Forest and works to promote and retain jobs and investment. Wake Forest Economic Development’s work helps to bolster its community’s position in the marketplace and retain a high quality of life for its residents.

Follow these Wake Forest Twitter accounts: @DiscoverWF – Wake Forest Economic Development, @WakeForest_NC – Town of Wake Forest, @WF_Chamber - Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce

Town of Wake Forest Video (via visitraleigh.com)

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Wake Forest

Wireless Research Center of NC Video

New and Expanding Companies

Ultra Electronics -3 Phoenix – 120 new jobs with salaries of more than $100,000

PowerSecure International – 100 new employees over the past year

Quick Facts

Population: 34,752 (26^th largest city in North Carolina)

Population Growth since 2010: 14.5% (4,401 people)

Population Growth since 2000: 176.1% (22,164 people)

Source: American Community Survey, U.S. Census

Wake Forest Economic Development Website

Town of Wake Forest Website

Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce

2013 Town of Wake Forest Development Activities Report

You Do Not Want to Miss When Visiting...

The Factory - Get your adrenaline pumping at The Factory Skateboard Park, with a skate around an ice rink, a drop into the half-pipe at the skate park, a goal at the indoor soccer club, a hole-in-one with miniature golf and a high-speed race with go-carts. Let the kids jump on an inflatable playground, a popular spot at the park!

Art After Hours - Art After Hours, the second Fri. of each month, allows you to admire and purchase local artists' work on S. White St. downtown, giving you the chance to shop for truly one-of-a-kind souvenirs and gifts.

Falls Lake - Spend a nice day at Falls Lake State Recreation Area for boating, camping, cycling, hiking, fishing, and more (or just sit, relax and gaze upon the calm lake).

White Street Brewing Co. - "Big time beer. Small town soul." Located in historic downtown Wake Forest, White Street Brewing Company offers handcrafted ales and lagers. Visit the taproom where you can see the entire brewing operation and taste the brewed-on-site beers.

Wake Forest Renaissance Center - The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is northern Wake County's newest cultural arts and event venue. Located at 405 S. Brooks St., in the heart of downtown Wake Forest, the facility features 10,000 square feet of versatile event and meeting space providing the perfect venue for a variety of events and activities, including exhibits, concerts, plays, recitals, conferences and private celebrations.

Wake Forest History Museum - The Calvin Jones House is part of a four-acre complex that includes gardens, pathways, and a state of the art museum. The house is furnished to reflect the period of its various residents, and the museum’s extensive displays depict the history of college and town.

The Wake Forest Weekly - Your source for the best local news about Wake Forest.

Major Private Employers

CenturyLink – 350 employees

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Inc. – 280 employees

The Body Shop, Inc. – 225 employees

Hillside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – 167 employees

Rex Healthcare (Wakefield) – 160 employees

Ultra Electronics -3 Phoenix – 122 employees

Source: Wake Forest Economic Development, Major Employers

Wake Forest Economic Development Contacts