WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -
Science is the new frontier in Winston-Salem, where dozens of small startup technology-based companies are thriving and hiring, paying over $60,000 a year on average.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor says nearly 7,000 people work in science-related occupations in the metropolitan area and at the 8th Annual Technology Briefing, they shared stories of success and growth instead of downsizing and layoffs.
"I think this is exactly what people need to see," said Gayle Anderson, wit the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. "There is a lot going on. A lot of new companies starting."
The goal of Tuesday's briefing was to bring together these small companies to swap stories of growth.
One new company, Algaen, already sells dietary supplements called Algaberry made from algae.
Dr. Fan Lu, once a professor and researcher at Wake Forest, founded the company and said it's working on producing other products like biodiesel and health care pharmaceuticals from algae. If all goes according to plan, the company -- which has just four employees now -- may soon be needing more scientists and researchers.
The average salary for science and engineering positions in Winston-Salem is over $65,000 a year, according to the Department of Labor. The Chamber of Commerce estimates about 100 new jobs in those fields will be coming in the next year.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor says nearly 7,000 people work in science-related occupations in the metropolitan area and at the 8th Annual Technology Briefing, they shared stories of success and growth instead of downsizing and layoffs.
"I think this is exactly what people need to see," said Gayle Anderson, wit the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. "There is a lot going on. A lot of new companies starting."
The goal of Tuesday's briefing was to bring together these small companies to swap stories of growth.
One new company, Algaen, already sells dietary supplements called Algaberry made from algae.
Dr. Fan Lu, once a professor and researcher at Wake Forest, founded the company and said it's working on producing other products like biodiesel and health care pharmaceuticals from algae. If all goes according to plan, the company -- which has just four employees now -- may soon be needing more scientists and researchers.
The average salary for science and engineering positions in Winston-Salem is over $65,000 a year, according to the Department of Labor. The Chamber of Commerce estimates about 100 new jobs in those fields will be coming in the next year.
