Local governments are key to creating economic development opportunities in rural, economically distressed areas. In many of our smaller communities, those working in these roles have a whole host of responsibilities and limited access to leadership training. To support these communities, Golden LEAF has partnered with the Center for Public… read more
While firefighters are used to leaping into action to help put out fires and rescue people during an emergency, many North Carolina firefighters found themselves in need of aid when their own stations and homes were being flooded during Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. After helping others survive the disaster, these… read more
In January 2020, the Golden LEAF Foundation launched its Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Northwest Prosperity Zone. The NC Rural Center assisted in the effort by providing technical assistance and coaching to organizations developing projects and seeking potential funding through Golden LEAF or other sources. At the April 2021 Board… read more
Each year, Golden LEAF invites one Prosperity Zone to participate in the Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI). The CBGI is designed to fund projects with the potential to have a significant economic impact in a region. For 2021-2022, Golden LEAF has invited organizations working in the Western Prosperity Zone to apply… read more
While the firefighters in Columbus County were salvaging what they could from their fire station during Hurricane Matthew, they also evacuated more than 450 people from their homes. The hurricane flooded the Fair Bluff Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc., but $500,392 in Disaster Recovery Grant Program funding awarded by… read more
Floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew damaged one of Johnston County-based Benson Fire Department fire engines. The department received $422,158.55 in Golden LEAF Disaster Recovery Grant Program funds to replace the engine. Insurance proceeds were also used toward the cost of the replacement engine. “We had three fire engines,” said Alan Johnson,… read more
Nearly two years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew, Pine Terrace Volunteer Fire Department received a new fire station. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $383,315.34 in Disaster Recovery Grant Program funds to help complete the rebuilding of the station and to replace the rescue vehicle. “We actually had about… read more
The Golden LEAF Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI) will launch in the Western Prosperity Zone on January 26, 2021 at 2 p.m. with a virtual information session. Organizations serving one or more of the counties in the Western Prosperity Zone are eligible to apply. The Western Prosperity Zone includes: Buncombe, Cherokee,… read more
In mid-March, the country was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the country including North Carolina responded with a shutdown of nonessential businesses. While the pandemic was a health crisis, it also was an economic crisis. Small Business Assistance On March 24, 2020, Golden LEAF announced $15 million in… read more
In January 2020, the Golden LEAF Foundation launched its Community-Based Grants Initiative in the Northwest Prosperity Zone. This $11 million initiative supports the building blocks of economic growth in communities, generally targeting one Prosperity Zone at a time. As part of this initiative, the N.C. Rural Center provided coaching to… read more
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