At the December meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $2 million in funding to support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects. The Board awarded $378,200 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,549,400 for two projects through the SITE Program.

Golden LEAF officially turned 25 on October 22nd. The Board celebrated Golden LEAF’s 25th Anniversary with highlights of the last 25 years of long-term economic development in conjunction with its annual meeting on December 4th.

“For 25 years, Golden LEAF has funded projects focused on some of the most critical issues facing our state’s rural communities including adapting and improving agricultural practices, boosting job creation opportunities in these regions, and preparing the local workforce for new industries and jobs,” said Ralph Strayhorn, Golden LEAF Board Chair. “We thank the leadership that had the forethought to create the Golden LEAF Foundation more than two decades ago to provide perpetual economic development support to our communities.”

Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. Since 1999, Golden LEAF has awarded projects totaling more than $1.3 billion, helping to create 68,000 jobs, $780 million in new payroll, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained to earn higher wages.

“While we reflected on the impacts the Foundation has had on communities across the state, the Golden LEAF Board continues to focus on the development of innovative programs and initiatives to enhance job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture that will continue to provide economic opportunity for the people of North Carolina.” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud the Golden LEAF Foundation will continue to partner with the many organizations dedicated to supporting the economic advancement of our state’s rural communities.”

The Golden LEAF Board also welcomed Jarette Sampson of Pembroke as the newest member of the Board at the December meeting. Mr. Sampson was appointed by the Speaker of the House. Golden LEAF’s 15-member Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.

Through the Open Grants Program, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded three projects totaling $378,200. These projects will support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects in Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Buncombe, and Watauga counties.

• $67,200 to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. dba AMOREM for essential medical equipment necessary to establish a seven-bed patient care unit (PCU) aimed at serving the populations of Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. Establishing the PCU will not only expand hospice services for the High Country but will also generate 13.5 new healthcare positions for local individuals.
• $148,000 to the Center for Agricultural and Food Entrepreneurship Buncombe for on-site equipment for a manufacturing expansion at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a shared-use facility located at the Enka Campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. It is expected that 25 new jobs will be created as a result of increases in manufacturing capacity and efficiency at the center.
• $163,000 to the Inner Banks STEM Center for HVAC and alarm systems, interior construction, furniture, and landscaping for a new, 13,000-square-foot Technology & Science Center at the Washington-Warren Airport Industrial Park.

The SITE Program offers resources to help communities identify potential sites for economic development, provides funding to complete due diligence on publicly controlled sites, and provides funding to extend public utilities to publicly controlled sites or to conduct clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites. The three phases of the SITE Program are Identification, Due Diligence, and Development.

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded more than $1.5 million in funding for two projects through the Golden LEAF SITE Program in Onslow and Robeson counties.

In the SITE Program – Due Diligence phase, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $49,400 to the Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development Partnership in Onslow County to complete due diligence analyses of 46 acres at Corbett Ave and Belgrade-Swansboro Road in west Swansboro for a detailed wetland and stream delineation, boundary survey, geotechnical report, existing utilities capacity analysis statement, water system flow analysis, and existing utilities map.

For the SITE Program – Development, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $1,500,000 to Robeson County for clearing and grading, erosion control, adding backfill, and creating an access road for a site in the COMTech Business Park.

Since 1999 and including the awards announced today, Golden LEAF has funded 2,305 projects totaling $1.3 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. 

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with the Chair of the Golden LEAF Board of Directors Ralph Strayhorn, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.

The Golden LEAF Foundation was established in 1999 to administer a portion of the tobacco settlement agreement monies back into North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities. Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

Golden LEAF has provided lasting impact to tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural areas of the state by helping create 68,000 jobs, $780 million in new payrolls, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained for higher wages. In its 25 years, Golden LEAF has funded 2,305 projects totaling $1.3 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities.

Golden LEAF’s 15-member Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.

For the past year, Mr. Strayhorn has served as the Golden LEAF Foundation Board Chair. Over his eight years of service, he has also served as the Chair of the Investment Committee. Mr. Strayhorn is from Durham County and currently is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at New Republic Partners Inc. in Charlotte. He has a longstanding career in financial services.

Mr. Strayhorn shared that the diverse backgrounds and networks of the Board as well as the knowledge and relationships that the staff has built over time help Golden LEAF stay on top of what is going on within economic development across North Carolina. Mr. Strayhorn added that Golden LEAF provides funding a lot of infrastructure that is essential to help industry decide to locate in especially rural and economically distressed areas.

The strategic plan, according to Mr. Strayhorn, has helped Golden LEAF build out the strategies of its three priority areas: Job Creation and Economic Investment, Workforce Preparedness, and Agriculture. NC Ag Leads is a strategic planning effort that is underway to help build North Carolina’s agricultural sector. Golden LEAF is the primary funder of the initiative, and the idea of NC Ag Leads came out of a strategic planning session with the Golden LEAF Board, Strayhorn added. In the area of Workforce Preparedness, Mr. Strayhorn touted the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program that has provided over 22,000 rural students with scholarships to help them with post-secondary education. He added that the program is incredibly important to the success of our rural workforce. Mr. Strayhorn added that Golden LEAF works on Job Creation and Economic Investment in ways that other public funding organizations cannot. While we fund big job creation projects, our funding is for things like roadways or water and sewer.

To learn more about the Golden LEAF Foundation, visit GoldenLEAF.org.

On November 15, 2024 the Golden LEAF Foundation welcomed new Digital Communications Specialist Meaghan Malone.

“We are excited for Meaghan to join the team to help carry out the mission of Golden LEAF,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “Meaghan’s skills and expertise will be an asset to the Foundation’s External Affairs goals.”

In her role, Malone will support social media, website, email newsletter, graphic design, and other related project needs for External Affairs, mostly for the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program.

Prior to Golden LEAF, Malone honed her skills in digital marketing, campaign management, and strategic communications across agency settings, making significant contributions to client success and brand growth.

Malone has a Bachelor of Science in Design from North Carolina Central University and holds a Master of Arts in Luxury and Brand Management from Savannah College of Art and Design.

A Durham, NC, native with roots in Halifax County, VA, Malone is a third-generation farmer, specializing in cattle production.

Briefly describe your role at Golden LEAF.
I am responsible for managing development and dissemination of content on Golden LEAF’s website, social media platforms and newsletters. I also manage the internship program at Golden LEAF, serve as the media contact, and am the liaison for the Board of Directors.

Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate. Creative. Collaborative.

What’s your favorite part of your job and why?
I love sharing stories about the people working to build the economy in our rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. North Carolinians are resilient and resourceful and work hard to turn challenges into opportunities. I see so much hope and promise in our future when I meet and speak with the people doing the work to lead the charge in moving our state forward.

What is your favorite pastime outside of work?
Painting is a fun way for me to be creative and unwind. I also spend a lot of my free time with my husband, two daughters, and puppy.  

What is your biggest work-related accomplishment within the last year?
This year marked Golden LEAF’s 25th anniversary. I was able to work on our brand redesign, website redesign, and celebration to commemorate the milestone in Golden LEAF’s history. I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing organization that helps so many people with training programs, scholarships, and job opportunities that grow our economy.

What motivates you to support long-term economic development in rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities?
I am from eastern North Carolina. I am a product of a rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed community. With the mission to improve North Carolina’s economy, each new industry, every new training program, and all of our Golden LEAF scholarship recipients inspire me to do my very best job for them. This is important work. It motivates me every day.

Learn more about Jenny here.

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (December 5, 2024) – Yesterday, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $2 million in funding to support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects. The Board awarded $378,200 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,549,400 to support two projects through the SITE Program.

Golden LEAF officially turned 25 on October 22nd. The Board celebrated Golden LEAF’s 25th Anniversary with highlights of the last 25 years of long-term economic development in conjunction with its annual meeting on December 4th.

“For 25 years, Golden LEAF has funded projects focused on some of the most critical issues facing our state’s rural communities including adapting and improving agricultural practices, boosting job creation opportunities in these regions, and preparing the local workforce for new industries and jobs,” said Ralph Strayhorn, Golden LEAF Board Chair. “We thank the leadership that had the forethought to create the Golden LEAF Foundation more than two decades ago to provide perpetual economic development support to our communities.”

Golden LEAF’s mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. Since 1999, Golden LEAF has awarded projects totaling more than $1.3 billion, helping to create 68,000 jobs, $780 million in new payroll, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained to earn higher wages.

“While we reflected on the impacts the Foundation has had on communities across the state, the Golden LEAF Board continues to focus on the development of innovative programs and initiatives to enhance job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture that will continue to provide economic opportunity for the people of North Carolina.” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud the Golden LEAF Foundation will continue to partner with the many organizations dedicated to supporting the economic advancement of our state’s rural communities.”

The Golden LEAF Board also welcomed Jarette Sampson of Pembroke as the newest member of the Board at the December meeting. Mr. Sampson was appointed by the Speaker of the House. Golden LEAF’s 15-member Board of Directors is appointed by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.

Through the Open Grants Program, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded three projects totaling $378,200. These projects will support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects in Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Buncombe, and Watauga counties.

• $67,200 to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. dba AMOREM for essential medical equipment necessary to establish a seven-bed patient care unit (PCU) aimed at serving the populations of Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. Establishing the PCU will not only expand hospice services for the High Country but will also generate 13.5 new healthcare positions for local individuals.
• $148,000 to the Center for Agricultural and Food Entrepreneurship Buncombe for on-site equipment for a manufacturing expansion at Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a shared-use facility located at the Enka Campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. It is expected that 25 new jobs will be created as a result of increases in manufacturing capacity and efficiency at the center.
• $163,000 to the Inner Banks STEM Center for HVAC and alarm systems, interior construction, furniture, and landscaping for a new, 13,000-square-foot Technology & Science Center at the Washington-Warren Airport Industrial Park.

The SITE Program offers resources to help communities identify potential sites for economic development, provides funding to complete due diligence on publicly controlled sites, and provides funding to extend public utilities to publicly controlled sites or to conduct clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites. The three phases of the SITE Program are Identification, Due Diligence, and Development.

The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded more than $1.5 million in funding for two projects through the Golden LEAF SITE Program in Onslow and Robeson counties.

In the SITE Program – Due Diligence phase, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $49,400 to the Jacksonville-Onslow Economic Development Partnership in Onslow County to complete due diligence analyses of 46 acres at Corbett Ave and Belgrade-Swansboro Road in west Swansboro for a detailed wetland and stream delineation, boundary survey, geotechnical report, existing utilities capacity analysis statement, water system flow analysis, and existing utilities map.

For the SITE Program – Development, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $1,500,000 to Robeson County for clearing and grading, erosion control, adding backfill, and creating an access road for a site in the COMTech Business Park.

Since 1999 and including the awards announced today, Golden LEAF has funded 2,305 projects totaling $1.3 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. 

About Golden LEAF
The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina’s funding from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For 25 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation.

The Foundation has provided lasting impact to tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural areas of the state by helping create 68,000 jobs, more than $780 million in new payrolls, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained for higher wages.

For more information about Golden LEAF and our programs, please visit our website at GoldenLEAF.org.

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Happy Thanksgiving! In this edition of our Golden LEAF newsletter, I am sharing some of the reasons I am thankful this year. November marked my fifth anniversary as president of Golden LEAF, and in October, Golden LEAF hit 25 years! 

I am grateful for the work of rural communities that are developing and implementing economic development strategies, humbled that Golden LEAF was asked to assist with efforts that will help with resilience for years into the future, and excited to reflect on the impact that Golden LEAF has accomplished over the last 25 years.

In the last year, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded approximately $45 million to help create jobs and economic investment, help train workers for available jobs, strengthen the agriculture economy, and provide needed infrastructure for job creation through the Economic Catalyst Program, Open Grants Program, and the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Piedmont Triad Prosperity Zone.

Highlights from the year include a project to help grow the agriculture economy in Randolph County, a project in Davidson County for a job creation and economic investment strategy in Davidson County, and most recently, an award of $13 million to Wilson Community College for training equipment that will be used to support the location of a major biomedical manufacturing company, Johnson & Johnson, in Wilson County. 

Golden LEAF continues to invest in our SITE Program to help communities with recruiting industry. In the last year, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded 15 projects totaling $7.5 million to support strategies for economic growth in one of the three different stages of industrial site development (identification, due diligence or development) in Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Columbus, Chowan, Gaston, Greene, Harnett, Madison, Nash, Northampton, Surry, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes counties.

Golden LEAF supports the State of North Carolina and its strategies for resilience and recovery from natural disasters and to build systems of economic growth.

I am thankful that the State of North Carolina has entrusted Golden LEAF with funding to assist in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and enhance flood mitigation projects across the state.

Hurricane Helene horrifically ravaged the western part of our state in September. Golden LEAF is often asked to help build back the economy in communities impacted by natural disasters. The Foundation was once again entrusted by the State of North Carolina to administer funding for a small business loan fund for disaster recovery. Since then, Golden LEAF has been working on its strategy to support the relief and recovery of Western North Carolina. 

In October, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $7.5 million to start the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, a loan program to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks. In October, the Golden LEAF Foundation was appropriated $50 million by the North Carolina General Assembly to support business recovery loans. Golden LEAF then awarded $50 million to Mountain BizWorks to enhance the WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund.

The Golden LEAF Board also established in October a Hurricane Helene Relief initiative. Funds are available to organizations to support immediate relief for individuals and families including home repair, addressing unmet needs, and helping transition out of FEMA housing programs. Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to apply for Hurricane Helene Relief funds. In November, the Golden LEAF Board met in two special meetings to award $2,757,654 in funding for 11 Hurricane Helene Relief projects.

Golden LEAF’s strategy for the last 25 years has been long-term economic advancement. I am thankful for the leadership that had the forethought to create the Golden LEAF Foundation 25 years ago to provide perpetual economic development support to our communities. We thank the appointing bodies including the North Carolina Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Governor for your continued support of Golden LEAF. 

The work of Golden LEAF is not possible without a dedicated leadership and team of professionals getting the work done. I’d like to thank the Golden LEAF Board for your commitment and dedication to the mission and strategy of the foundation. My colleagues at Golden LEAF work every day to carry out the strategies of the Board and manage the day-to-day operations that enhance economic development opportunities across the state. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to North Carolina’s economy.

Through this support, Golden LEAF has worked on a lasting legacy and over the 25 years has provided funding for projects resulting in more than 68,000 new jobs, $780 million in new payroll, and 98,000 workers trained across our great state.

I am thankful for what’s to come. We have new and exciting initiatives and programs that we will announce in the coming months. We have used our strategic plan to build out a strategy for the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow. We are supporting economic growth throughout the state in a multifaceted, long-term approach that will show results long into the next 25 years. 

As we recognize all we have to be thankful for, let us also continue to look for the strategies that will  create new jobs, develop and upskill our workforce, and grow our agriculture economy. After all, we are doing this work – together!

Hurricane Helene ravaged the western part of North Carolina in September. Golden LEAF has been working on its response to support the relief and recovery of Western North Carolina.

In October, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $7.5 million to support WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund, which provides rapid recovery loans to small businesses suffering economic losses related to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The fund is administered by Mountain BizWorks. In October, the Golden LEAF Foundation was appropriated $50 million by the North Carolina General Assembly to support business recovery loans. Golden LEAF then awarded $50 million to Mountain BizWorks to enhance the support of WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund.

In October, the Golden LEAF Board also established a Hurricane Helene Relief initiative. Funds are available to organizations to support immediate relief for individuals and families including home repair, addressing unmet needs, and helping transition out of FEMA supported housing programs. Governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to apply for Hurricane Helene Relief funds. In November, the Golden LEAF Board met in two special meetings to award $2,757,654 in funding to support 11 Hurricane Helene Relief projects.

Learn more about Golden LEAF Hurricane Helene Relief awards below:

• $100,000 to Camp Grier for staff salaries, utilities, food/meal expenses to allow the camp to continue to support recovery in the community.
• $155,000 to Carolina Farm Stewardship Association for personnel, travel, and training expenses to provide technical assistance to farmers in Hurricane Helene impacted communities to help them access disaster relief programs. 
• $650,000 to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte for six case management and related positions and for replacement personal property for survivors of Hurricane Helene.
• $60,000 to Centro Unido Latino Americano for rental assistance, utility assistance, replacement personal property, and case management to support survivors of Hurricane Helene.
• $60,000 to Hola Carolina for rental assistance, utility assistance, replacement personal property, and case management of survivors of Hurricane Helene. 
• $107,654 to Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina for case management, utility assistance, and housing assistance for survivors of Hurricane Helene.
• $225,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. for salaries/benefits and direct onboarding expenses for four case coordinators to respond to needs resulting from Hurricane Helene.
• $1,000,000 to the North Carolina Baptist Men to support a range of Hurricane Helene recovery related needs including volunteer support expenses such as shower trailer, volunteer meals, and transportation, tools and equipment, materials and contractors to support home repair expenses, and for other costs to assist survivors.
• $75,000 to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence for shelter/personal items, providing access to shelter, and mileage.
• $175,000 to the Western North Carolina Annual Conferences of the United Methodist for tools and equipment necessary to support home repair efforts, and for other costs to assist survivors.
• $150,000 to WAMY for home repair, housing assistance, utility assistance, replacement personal property, case management, tools and equipment, and volunteer support.

Golden LEAF is gathering information from governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations within the areas affected by Hurricane Helene regarding unmet needs to repair, replace, construct, or improve infrastructure, buildings, or equipment damaged because of Hurricane Helene and to construct or improve infrastructure to support disaster relief occasioned by Hurricane Helene. Unmet needs are needs not covered by insurance or FEMA or that are not expected to be funded by another source, such as NCDOT or NCDEQ. Unmet needs also include critical needs for cash flow of a governmental entity or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to begin a project while pursuing funding from insurance or FEMA. 

Small businesses interested in more information about WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund should visit https://www.mountainbizworks.org/helene/fund/. 

For more information about Golden LEAF Hurricane Helene Relief, visit https://goldenleaffoun.wpengine.com/helene-relief/.

To provide further information about the unmet needs, visit https://goldenleaffoun.wpengine.com/helene-recovery/.

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with John Hardin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the NC Department of Commerce, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.

The Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation is a part of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation advises and makes recommendations to the North Carolina Governor, General Assembly, Secretary of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on the role of science, technology and innovation in the economic growth and development of the state. 

The mission of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation is to improve the economic well‐being and quality of life of all North Carolinians through advancing science, technology, and innovation. To achieve this mission, the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation develops and administers policies and programs that accelerate both the development of next-generation technology companies and the adoption of technology across existing industry. It also staffs the 25-member Board of Science, Technology and Innovation, appointed by the Governor and General Assembly.

Since the inception of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation in 1963, the Board and the staff have worked on several data-driven strategies, said Hardin. One of the more known strategic plans of the Office of Science, Technology, and Innovation was called Vision 2030. Over several years, the Office held focus groups around economic needs. The plan was shelved because of changing administrations. It was since picked back up and work has begun on enacting Vision 2030. Tracking Innovation is a statistical report card of all the innovation economy of North Carolina. They are measuring 42 different measures related to innovation that are happening across the state.

The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation has a number of programs and initiatives. There are Tracking Innovation reports, grant programs, Innovation Hubs, and a focus on Defense Innovation. Two federal programs called the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (SBTTR) are an important source of early-stage technology funding for small businesses to help R&D-focused entrepreneurs and advanced research and development in a wide variety of technology areas. Hardin said when he came on the team in 2003, North Carolina did not seem to be achieving an appropriate level of federal funding to help these technology focused businesses. The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation then proposed and received funding for the One North Carolina Small Business Program through the legislature, explained Hardin. The One North Carolina Small Business Program has been operational since 2006 to provide matching funding to get the small businesses. Over 600 grants have been awarded. These companies have created and retained around 1,500 jobs because of the program.

Hardin said there are many opportunities in rural areas that may not be in urban areas for companies focused on science, technology, and innovation. He said the rural areas are less expensive to locate in, have less traffic to navigate, and the competition is less in a rural area. Hardin also stated that the State has programs in place to help companies expand into rural areas. He added that the programs through the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation, provide rural companies a higher ranking for the funding. In other State-supported programs, more funding is available for companies locating or expanding in rural areas.

Learn more about the North Carolina Office of Science, Technology and Innovation.

In September, multiple entities focused on education and the workforce came together to host regional forums about how generative AI and other technological advancements are changing the way people work and learn. Golden LEAF staff was invited to participate in the forums.

The purpose of the forums was to understand why a change in learning related to AI and other technology matters, what it means for the state and region, and how leaders can work together to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Organizations leading the event were the NC Chamber; myFutureNC; NC Community College System and Foundation;  NC School Superintendents’ Association; the NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund; and the Successful Practices Network. Participants in the forums included leaders from business, government, education, and community organizations.

One of Golden LEAF’s priority areas is workforce preparedness. Golden LEAF supports workforce projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work.

Golden LEAF Program Officer Kimberly Smith participated in the regional forum held at Pitt Community College on September 26th to help facilitate discussions and to learn more about the need for collaboration around AI and technology. Other forums were held at Catawba Valley Community College on September 16th and the Davidson campus of Davidson-Davie Community College on September 17th. A fourth forum was scheduled for September 27th at Wake Tech Community College but was canceled as a result of Hurricane Helene. 

Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton attended the September 16th forum and facilitated a table discussion.

Smith shared that the event kicked off with keynote speaker, Executive Director of the Successful Practices Network Dr. Bill Daggett, presenting a view of how technology is changing the workforce and what jobs are likely to be most impacted by AI.

North Carolina Community College System President Jeff Cox gave remarks on the future of AI, what is happening in the region, and how labor market trend data is shifting because of AI.

“A question was posed to the audience about which industries in your region do you think are most resilient or most vulnerable to advancing technology, and what changes are needed in education and training to prepare the future workforce,” said Smith. 

As a table facilitator, Smith helped report on group discussions.

“It was collectively agreed that it is the responsibility of everyone in the room to ensure that our students and existing workforce have the necessary skill sets to adapt to the increasingly changing workforce,” said Smith.

In the third segment, education and business leaders presented on how they incorporate AI into their day-to-day professions. 

“Happy Gingras, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at Martin Community College gave the forum participants a glimpse at how she incorporated AI into the classroom by creating a fully AI generated course for students,” said Smith.

Smith said that she took away from the forum that educators, government officials, and business leaders need to purposefully form unprecedented partnerships to help strengthen industry and education, as it relates to AI and technology.

“As a Program Officer, we are always looking to identify the education-to-employment pathways,” said Smith, “and now that the demands of the workforce are becoming more sophisticated through AI, it is important that the level of training and education match that demand.”

The conversation continued at the North Carolina Community College System Annual Conference in October with Dr. Daggett continuing the conversation about how AI will increasingly impact business and industry and therefore the skills, knowledge, and qualities students will need to be successful in the workforce.

“I have no doubt there will be a collective action plan that results from these conversations,” said Smith. “After all, our workforce will have to be ready for what is here and what’s to come.”

Briefly describe your role at Golden LEAF.
My job as a program officer is reviewing applications and providing oversight to awarded projects. I primarily work on projects that involve construction. These projects can vary from clearing and grading to expansion or building of new facilities and water or wastewater utilities.  

Describe yourself in three words.
Passionate. Resourceful. Cheerful.

What’s your favorite part of your job and why?
My favorite part of my job is traveling. I enjoy being able to visit different communities all over North Carolina. Site visits allow me to see all parts of North Carolina and connect with the grantees and applicants to learn the history of important projects and initiatives. 

What is your favorite pastime outside of work?
Fall is my favorite time of the year to visit the beach. It’s cool, not crowded, and incredibly peaceful.  If I don’t have time to travel, I go for walks on local nature trails. I also like rearranging or DIYing projects around my house. I also love crafting and learning new skills. These activities and hobbies allow me to spend quality time with my friends and family, which is the most important thing to me.

What is your biggest work-related accomplishment within the last year?
I just started working for Golden LEAF a little over a year ago, and in the past year, I have had opportunities to work on nearly every type of funding program Golden LEAF offers. This taught me to adapt to each of the needs and requirements of the programs. I feel very honored to have worked with so many different projects, team members, and applicants with my role here at Golden LEAF. The variety in my job has allowed me to see all of the impact that Golden LEAF has had on rural North Carolina, and I am very proud of the work we have accomplished. 

What motivates you to support long-term economic development in rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities?
I have spent most of my life living in eastern North Carolina. I have seen the variety of needs that exist in this region. I appreciate the work Golden LEAF has supported and its positive impact. I am motivated to assist in Golden LEAF’s future programs and initiatives. 

Learn more about Katie here.