A vacant energy plant and warehouse in an underserved community with high unemployment has found new life thanks to collaboration from local leaders. The result -- a workforce development center offering training in high-demand trades -- has the City of New Bern, Craven Community College, Craven County, and local businesses… read more
The Board of Directors established the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program 20 years ago as a workforce strategy to broaden educational opportunities for students from rural counties. Since its inception, the Golden LEAF Foundation has awarded over $48.5 million to help more than 21,900 students from rural North Carolina attend the… read more
The four-year Golden LEAF Scholarship information and applications for 2021-2022 school year are now available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties for the 2021-2022 academic year. Applications are due March 1, 2021. Scholarships are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year… read more
Access to healthcare in rural communities is an ongoing challenge. The combination of fewer facilities along with a limited supply of providers results in areas of reduced access to care. In June 2017, the Golden LEAF Board awarded $500,000 to Pfeiffer University for a new Physician Assistant (PA) program to… read more
Job shadowing, internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships along with related classroom instruction allow program participants to earn degrees, diplomas, and certificates while they learn a highly skilled trade. Employers gain a pipeline of loyal skilled workers, increase productivity, and improve the bottom line. Harnett County Schools, in partnership with Central Carolina… read more
The state’s economic vitality is tied to the skills of its workforce. Trends show that in 10 years, nearly two-thirds of North Carolina’s jobs will require a post-secondary degree or credential. With a Golden LEAF Scholarship, more rural students will have the financial resources to attend community college and gain… read more
Manufacturing plays a significant role in North Carolina’s economy. North Carolina has the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast with more than 460,000 manufacturing workers, according to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). The Golden LEAF Foundation supports the growth of business and industry to create new jobs… read more
North Carolina is known as the furniture capital of the world. The state’s furniture industry has 3,000 establishments, more than 36,000 employees statewide, and has more than three times the national average in furniture manufacturing activity, according to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). Part of the success… read more
Despite the pandemic, the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program continued to provide scholarships, internships, and leadership opportunities to rural N.C. students. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program (GLSLP), the optional leadership program available to the Foundation’s scholarship recipients attending the state’s four-year colleges and… read more
Manufacturing is one of the top industries in the state. In Rockingham County, manufacturing jobs account for 22% of available employment according to local officials; however, local employers are having difficulty filling available jobs. “We have more potential contracts than we can possibly fill,” noted Matt Edwards, Human Resources Director… read more
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