Jenny Tinklepaugh, Author at Golden LEAF Foundation

Golden LEAF announces $4.5 million in funding at June meeting

Jenny Tinklepaugh on June 11, 2025

At the June Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $4.5 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment projects, workforce preparedness projects, and disaster relief work. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $2,113,986 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,536,120 to support one industrial park through the SITE Program. The Board also awarded an additional $940,000 for Hurricane Helene relief.

Golden LEAF Announces 2025 Golden LEAF Scholarship Recipients

Jenny Tinklepaugh on June 11, 2025

Today, the Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 rural North Carolina students were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship.

LevelUp Rockingham initiative builds talent pipeline for key industries

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 21, 2025

At a time when North Carolina’s employers are facing critical workforce shortages, Rockingham County is rising to the challenge. Golden LEAF is backing a powerful, community-led solution that connects students to career pathways and strengthens the region’s economy by building strong local roots.

Building a healthcare workforce pipeline in Cleveland County through powerful partnership

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 21, 2025

In February 2025, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded more than $1.2 million in total funding to Cleveland County Schools, Cleveland Community College, and Gardner-Webb University to establish a new Healthcare Educational Pathway to expand access to the field, build local talent, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in the region.

Golden LEAF Scholar Alumni Spotlight: Chandler Bumgarner

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 7, 2025

Golden LEAF Scholar alumnus Chandler Bumgarner grew up in Taylorsville, N.C., in rural Alexander County, holding a sense of community close to his heart.

This sense of community was significant as he began his college career at Western Carolina University. Chandler Bumgarner’s closest friends from back home attended his college with him, signifying what it meant to him to have a community and family of friends to lean on.

Golden LEAF Scholars graduate with plans to return to rural communities

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 7, 2025

As commencement ceremonies unfold across North Carolina, a unique group of graduates carries with them not only their diplomas but also a commitment to the very communities that shaped them.

Critical Conversations with Scott T. Hamilton, featuring Founder and Director of ncIMPACT Anita Brown-Graham

Jenny Tinklepaugh on May 7, 2025

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with the Founder and Director of ncIMPACT Anita Brown-Graham via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.

Town of Mocksville wins nearly 400 agribusiness jobs, more to come

Jenny Tinklepaugh on April 23, 2025

North Carolina’s number one industry is agriculture and agribusiness. Golden LEAF focuses on agriculture as an economic development engine. One of the outcomes Golden LEAF measures in its agriculture priority is value-added agricultural enterprises.

Industrial park to land more than 650 jobs in Davidson County

Jenny Tinklepaugh on April 23, 2025

Davidson County has three new employers that will create a total of more than 650 jobs at Lexington Industrial Park, thanks in part to infrastructure funding from Golden LEAF.

In April 2017, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $1 million in Community-Based Grants Initiative funding to Davidson County for the development of a new county-owned industrial park near Interstate 85. Golden LEAF funds were used for public wastewater infrastructure costs for the Lexington Industrial Park.

Golden LEAF announces $4.5 million in funding at April meeting, attends ECU’s 10th annual Golden LEAF Scholars Reception

Jenny Tinklepaugh on April 9, 2025

At the April meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $4.5 million in funding to support job creation and economic investment projects, workforce preparedness projects, and scholarships. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1.5 million to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $113,250 to support one SITE Program project. The Golden LEAF Board also approved $3 million in funding to the North Carolina Community College System for the Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship.