Wake Forest Exchange welcomes North State Pools and Equal Optics, highlighting the growing demand for flexible commercial space in Wake Forest. Discover how the development is attracting businesses across industries and supporting the town’s economic growth.

Discover how Tanishia Butler turned a leap of faith into a thriving family business with Qwik Pack & Ship in Wake Forest. From finding her entrepreneurial voice through the Wake Forest Founders Accelerator Program to building meaningful community connections, learn how Butler is creating opportunities for her family and giving back to the community she calls home.

Applications are open for the Fall 2026 Wake Forest Founders Pitch Competition & Entrepreneurial Showcase! Discover how past winners have turned their pitches into opportunities for growth and learn how local entrepreneurs can compete for a share of $10,000 in cash prizes. Applications close November 13.

After a life-changing accident showed Dylan and Kasey Hudock just how deeply Wake Forest supports its own, they decided to give something back. See how D1 Training Wake Forest is helping local families build strength, confidence, and community close to home.

Erik Rice didn’t set out to start a company—he simply kept hearing the same questions from local property owners who needed help navigating stormwater requirements. See how those conversations became BMC Stormwater, and how the Wake Forest Founders Program helped him turn experience, relationships, and a real community need into a growing business.

Major transportation improvements are taking shape across Wake Forest, beginning with work on the Rogers Road rail crossing. See what’s happening now, what drivers can expect as construction moves forward, and how the project connects to the S-Line and broader upgrades along Capital Boulevard.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is preparing to open its newest location in Wake Forest’s Grove 98 development by the end of September 2026. Known for its scratch kitchen, wood-fired steaks and seafood, craft cocktails, and signature hospitality, Firebirds will bring a newly designed restaurant concept to Wake Forest as the growing brand continues its national expansion.

Wake Forest entrepreneur Alex Perez is bringing decades of toy and game design experience to Preztin Games, an indie studio creating original tabletop games, 3D-printed toys, and collectible figures. Discover how Perez turned an unexpected career transition into an opportunity to bet on himself, build a business rooted in creativity and play, and find an entrepreneurial community in Wake Forest.

Bringing a hospital to Wake Forest remains a major priority for the community and its long-term economic development. WFBIP President Jason Cannon introduces a timely perspective from Rep. Mike Schietzelt on the need for greater access to acute-care services in northern Wake County, the proposed hospital campus in Wake Forest, and the role North Carolina’s Certificate of Need laws play in determining where new hospital beds and facilities can be built.

After 15 years in business, Carolina Gunrunners has made a strategic move to Wake Forest, nearly doubling its footprint to 5,000 square feet. Discover how the expanded space, strong customer base, and rapid growth of the Wake Forest community are helping the longtime retailer create new efficiencies, improve the customer experience, and position the business for its next chapter.

After a lifetime of moving, Carla Payne found both a home and a place to grow her calling in Wake Forest. Through Aging Care Matters, Payne now helps families navigate dementia, aging, long-term care decisions, and caregiver challenges while providing an affordable, engaging adult day program designed to help older adults remain connected and at home longer. Discover how her personal experience, professional purpose, and the support of Wake Forest’s entrepreneurial community came together to build a business that has served more than 1,000 families.

The S-Line passenger rail project continues to move forward with new federal funding, advancing infrastructure improvements, and the completion of the Downtown Mobility Hub Concept Design Study. Learn how these milestones are positioning Wake Forest for stronger regional connectivity, economic growth, and a more vibrant downtown.

New state funding for Wake Forest's Wireless Research Center could help position North Carolina to capture billions in future defense research and development. Discover how strategic investments, public-private collaboration, and local leadership are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth and innovation.

Can artificial intelligence make customer service more personal? The Cotton Company believes it can. Learn how this Wake Forest staple is using AI to answer questions, share local history, and give its team more time to do what matters most: building meaningful connections with every customer.

Rebekah Werner founded Unita Marketing to help small businesses grow through personalized service, trusted relationships, and strategic marketing. Learn how Wake Forest's entrepreneurial community, local connections, and Wake Forest Founders helped shape her business and why she's committed to helping others succeed.

Discover how Framed Eyewear is bringing a personalized approach to vision and style in Downtown Wake Forest. Meet co-owners Anne Hanekom and Angela Brinkmann and learn how their boutique is helping customers find eyewear that feels uniquely their own.

North Carolina has officially made the Capital Boulevard transformation a top transportation priority, paving the way for a limited-access expressway connecting Wake Forest to Raleigh. Learn what the fully funded project means for commuters, businesses, and the future of economic development in our community.

Meet Alejandro Morales Goncalves, founder and COO of STOA, and discover how the Wake Forest Founders program helped transform both his business and his outlook. From streamlining operations to building authentic connections, his story highlights the power of entrepreneurship rooted in community.

Wake Forest Founders celebrated another successful accelerator cohort during its Spring 2026 Pitch Competition, where local entrepreneurs showcased innovative business ideas and competed for $10,000 in prize funding. Discover how the program continues to strengthen Wake Forest's entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting founders with the mentorship, resources, and community they need to grow.

Wake Forest celebrated the reopening of Miller Park and new Dunn Creek Greenway connections with ribbon-cutting ceremonies highlighting expanded recreation, walkability, and community connectivity throughout town.

Wake Forest Exchange is officially taking shape. Local leaders, business owners, and community partners gathered to celebrate the latest milestone for the mixed-use development, bringing new retail, flex, office, and entertainment space to Wake Forest.

From employee to owner, Pam Anastasi is leading SignCraft Solutions into its next chapter. The woman-owned Wake Forest business is celebrating 17 years of growth, community impact, and creative signage projects across the Southeast.

Downtown Wake Forest is getting a little greener. Meet The Planted Bean, a groovy new houseplant shop blending retro vibes, community connection, and beginner-friendly greenery into a colorful Downtown experience rooted in local entrepreneurship.

What started as a way to support small businesses during COVID has grown into a powerful platform for community impact. Discover how Raleigh Food Trap is driving visibility for local businesses and turning social media engagement into real-world results across Wake Forest and beyond.

From Wake Forest Founders alum to Town partner, Karen Lindquist’s journey highlights the power of local innovation and community support. Discover how Green Stream Technologies is bringing real-time flood monitoring to Wake Forest while turning entrepreneurial growth into meaningful local impact.

More than 1,500 people gathered at Joyner Park to kick off this year’s Six Sundays in Spring, continuing a beloved Wake Forest tradition. From live music to local food trucks, discover how this long-standing series brings the community together through shared experiences and connection.

Outback Steakhouse is set to join the growing lineup at Grove 98, adding another nationally recognized brand to Wake Forest’s evolving retail and dining landscape. Discover how this latest addition reflects continued momentum, job growth, and enhanced quality of life for the community.

Discover how Wake Forest STEM Saturday is inspiring the next generation through hands-on learning and real-world experiences. Hosted by the Town of Wake Forest and presented by the Wireless Research Center, this event connects students to STEM careers while helping build a strong, future-ready workforce.

Discover how new outdoor recreational investments in Wake Forest are creating opportunities for tourism, community engagement, and long-term economic growth. From a new skate park and pump track to expanded athletic facilities, these projects are designed to attract visitors and strengthen the Town’s evolving hospitality and recreation landscape.

Discover how a beloved downtown Wake Forest restaurant is returning with a fresh look and familiar spirit. Las Mas reopens with a renovated space, updated menu, and the same community connection that made it a longtime favorite.