Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High PointThe Triad Area
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Actually the cities, specifically Raleigh and Durham, of the Triangle have most often active fought the idea that "Raleigh-Durham" is a place and worked on individual identities. Research Triangle Park is a lightening strike that happened 60 years ago and isn't going to be replicated soon, and I don't think the Triad has what it would take anyway (plus it's too close to the real RTP). OTOH, Greensboro and Winston are more similar to each other than Raleigh and Durham are (IMO) and like Ral and Durham, (even more so), people in one city are constantly going to the other for things, so there may be less "jingoism" about one's particular home city there (but I don't know).
I think that like other cities in the Sun Belt, they are growing together regardless, and some kind of regional transit between the cities is inevitable if there isn't already. I don't know that either the Triangle or the Triad will get to the point of having a "Port Authority"-like entity that belongs to both, but doesn't that usually happen with cities that all but merge due to growing into each other?
I don't really see the Triad becoming another Research Triangle Park. However I think the Triad's future is in aviation, hi-tech manufacturing, transportation and logistics. The research parks in Greensboro and Winston-Salem will help support these industries but I don't see research parks as the primary driving force for attracting industry to the area.
I think that like other cities in the Sun Belt, they are growing together regardless, and some kind of regional transit between the cities is inevitable if there isn't already. I don't know that either the Triangle or the Triad will get to the point of having a "Port Authority"-like entity that belongs to both, but doesn't that usually happen with cities that all but merge due to growing into each other?
The regional transit entity exists and I know people who use it every day. It could grow with sufficient demand, but the current price of oil isn't making demand for public transportation any stronger.
I see your point but it just comes down to money and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. If we work with Greensboro to attract businesses to the Triad and they settle in Greensboro, they (and the county) get most of the money that comes with it- new people moving into the area, tax revenue, etc. If Greensboro worked to bring new business to Winston, they're not going to share in any revenue Winston and Forsyth County might bring in. I don't get the idea that neither city would be what it is without the other. It's my opinion that Greensboro and Winston each hold their own.
It does make sense for them to recruit jointly for potential development around PTI. Yes it is closer to Greensboro, but depending on site requirements a company could easily land in Guilford or Forsyth if they were looking to be near the airport. Cities of the future are being built around airports for a myriad of reasons and the triad is well positioned to capitalize on this trend.
Growing up, 40 miles from each and reading the paper, I think the two cites are totally different in core, history, culture and about everything. In fact, their only commonality is geography.
It (working together) makes all the sense in the world, but in politics and big money, that is an oft overlooked/ignored criteria.
Growing up, 40 miles from each and reading the paper, I think the two cites are totally different in core, history, culture and about everything. In fact, their only commonality is geography.
Really? The two have some differences, sure. But I think they have more in common with each other than either has with almost any other city. Seriously. Have you spent much time in each?
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