Council To Hear Proposal On W-S Culinary Center Incentives

A plan to launch a culinary center in Winston-Salem has passed a key hurdle.

Four companies are behind the $26 million plan to transform an old office facility into a new venture. The Winston-Salem Journal reports it will be used to help culinary startups and provide some support services as well.

Backers of the venture had originally proposed $4 million in city incentives. Winston-Salem officials told them to sharpen their pencils on the deal, and they came back asking for half that amount. The city's finance committee unanimously endorsed the idea.

It's scheduled to go before the full city council next week.

The building dates back to the 1920s and is just south of downtown. The future of the structure is key to city officials because it's close to such places as the Old Salem Visitors Center.