news-record.com

WINSTON-SALEM (MCT) — The Piedmont Triad Research Park is laying off its director and marketing director because of the sour economy.

Bill Dean is the director of the park, and Nancy Johnston is the marketing director. Park officials said that the park's project manager and executive assistant were also laid off.

Doug Edgeton, the president of the park, said in a statement that the reductions will have no impact on the park's growth.

"We fully expect the park's growth to continue as planned," he said.

The job reductions come about four months after Struever Brothers Eccles and Rouse Inc. stepped down as the lead developer in part of the Piedmont Triad Research Park, citing financial troubles.

The company had been in charge of renovating the North District of the park, a project that is planned to cover more than 200 acres when complete. The North District will cover about 60 acres and includes part of the former tobacco district.

The park is now negotiating with Wexford Science and Technology LLC, a real estate investment company, to take over development of the North District.

Mark Wright, a spokesman for Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which is affiliated with the park, said those negotiations should wrap up in the next six months.

Park officials are also continuing work on the Central District, where roads and other infrastructure need to be built, he said.

The park has 44 tenants and more than 850 employees. The park also has opened a Wet Lab Launch Pad, which is geared toward biotechnology companies further along in development but still in need of lower-cost space.