Economic Development

Winston-Salem has a long tradition of industriousness and entrepreneurship. Through collaboration with local partners, Housing and Community Services provides Neighborhood Services Block Grant (NSBG) funds to local small businesses and startups to help continue that tradition.

Current or aspiring small businesses should visit our Business Development page on obtaining funds to expand or launch a new enterprise, or contact:

Steven Harrison
336-747-7474

Examples of eligible economic development activities include:

We work with Business Inclusion and Advancement (BIA) to provide Community Development Block Grant funding to local entrepreneurs, who seek to launch and grow businesses to improve the quality of life for Winston-Salem residents.

Small Business Loan Program

Loans are awarded annually and can be utilized in support of eligible community and economic goals. 
Awards are determined by a seven-member committee.

photo of sweet_potatoes

Sweet Potatoes, a successful Winston-Salem restaurant specializing in Southern fare, secured $51,153 in financing from the BIA Loan Program to support their popular soul food business in the Trade Street arts district in downtown Winston-Salem. This community establishment was even feautred by the Food Network

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Canteen Still Life s an anchor business on downtown 4th Street devoted to food and coffee. This organization received $100,000 to advance its competitiveness and enhance commerce along the 4th Street business corridor.

photo of uniquely_green

In 2019, three businesses were awarded funding to advance local economic development in Winston-Salem. Uniquely Green Insulation is among them, receiving $35,000 to support improvements in home energy efficiency and weatherisation.

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The Douthit Group, a local Black-owned business specializing in both residential and commercial cleaning and disinfecting services in the Winston-Salem area, received a $5,000 investment to support execution of its business plan.

Small Business Plan Competition

Numerous local startups have been awarded $5,000 in seed money after participating in BIA’s Small Business Plan Competition. All images below are courtesy of their respective businesses.

Be One to Succeed Staffing, LLC works closely with skilled jobseekers to place them in open positions with local employers. In addition to receiving startup funds, these organizations were also able to take advantage of business plan assistance from the City.

Photo of Enterprise Center

SG Atkins Community Development Corporation

Collaboration between SG Atkins, HUD and the Housing and Community Services has led to the creation of dozens of small businesses and non-profits in Winston-Salem; proving to be a rich resource for the community. The Enterprise Center, a successful business incubator serving local entrepreneurs, moved into the former site of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs in June 2011 after receiving renovation assistance of more than $1.5 million in grants from HUD’s Office of University Partnerships.

Current or aspiring small businesses or non-profits should visit the Enterprise Center for resources and ideas for growth.

A selection of local businesses incubated and developed in the SG Adkins CDC Enterprise Center


Simon’s Green Acre Community Garden

Utilizing resources that included Community Development Block Grant funds, SG Atkins was able to expand and staff a substantial working garden for the benefit of the local community. In 2018, gardener Kyle Luth, PhD was hired in a part-time capacity to oversee expansion and production efforts at the garden. Also in 2018, Simon’s Green Acre received a received a $30,000 Garnier Green Garden award as a result of the work of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) student, Miranda Legg. Ms. Legg led a substantial recycling effort to secure the grant, which was used to purchase supplies and expand garden infrastructure. Individual beds are available to all citizens, for rent yearly or seasonally.

Future plans for expansion include a seedling bank and raised beds accessible to differently-abled gardeners. The garden is also working to collaborate with WSSU faculty to bring horticultural therapy programming to its facilities.

Hymes Appraisals

Tate Consulting

Easton Reid Group

J.L. Redford

Dream Makers

J. Morgan Designs & Consulting

Ground Game Innovations

Total Companion Care

Zoe Behavioral Health

Lean Back Soulfood

Melon Jugo - The Jugo Bar

E-motions

Supreme Compassionate Care

Ms. Gwen's Cheese Straws

The Sweet Truth Bakery

Ujima CDC

The Twenty

Royal Curtain Drama Guild

Living Well Family Care

Action4Equity

Life Changes

Primary Health Choice

Eyeam Photography

Maximum Enterprises

Knew Era Consulting

Support Systems of Forsyth County

A Step Above Cleaning

Delicious by Shereen

Trice's Eats

Flava Catering

Twin City Catering

Honorable Youth

Dr. Edwena Kirby Professional Counseling

J5 Janitorial Services

Cynthia Dixon Ministries

A Lending Hand Home Care Services

Unique Prints