Robust infrastructure is the backbone of thriving communities. Roads, water and sewer systems, and wastewater are essential to attract new businesses, support job growth, and improve the quality of life for residents. Aging or insufficient infrastructure creates major barriers to economic development.
Recognizing these challenges, the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors continues to invest in critical infrastructure projects across North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities to support its job creation and economic investment priority.
In 2025, the Golden LEAF Board awarded funding to support infrastructure projects that will help lay the groundwork for long-term growth, by opening industrial sites, building new homes, and expanding access to healthcare.
Unlocking Industrial Opportunity in Iredell County
The Golden LEAF Board recently awarded $750,000 to Iredell County Economic Development Corporation to support road construction, design, and engineering. The industrial site is located in a rural part of the county adjacent to the rural areas of neighboring Rowan County.
“For Iredell County, and specifically Mooresville Business Park East, this means we are now years ahead of schedule in opening approximately 120 acres of Class A, industrial-zoned property,” said Craig Goodson, Director of Economic Development at Iredell County Economic Development Corporation. “This project will support advanced manufacturing careers and generate increased property tax revenue for both Iredell County and the Town of Mooresville.”
The project will extend Herring Industrial Drive by approximately 500 linear feet, opening access to two large tracts of industrial-zoned land in Mooresville Business Park East.
“Without Golden LEAF funding, we wouldn’t have the resources to design, engineer, and build this critical piece of our infrastructure puzzle,” said Goodson. “Thanks to Golden LEAF support, the infrastructure will be in place by 2026.”
Building Workforce Housing in Goldsboro
Earlier in 2025, the Golden LEAF Board approved guidelines to support applications from local governmental and 501(c)(3) nonprofits through the Open Grants Program for funding for infrastructure necessary to support projects with workforce housing outcomes. The Golden LEAF Board recognized the need to increase the availability of workforce housing in rural areas, as part of the Foundation’s job creation and economic investment priority.
The Golden LEAF Board awarded $500,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne, Inc. for infrastructure development in Phase I of the McNair Heights neighborhood.
“The fact that Golden LEAF made the decision to invest in this project has been significant,” Matthew Whittle, Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne Executive Director. “Golden LEAF support gave us credibility with the City of Goldsboro and other potential partners. When people hear Golden LEAF is behind McNair Heights, they pay more attention. The name carries weight in Eastern North Carolina, and it helps our donors feel even more confident that this neighborhood is going to become a reality.”
Located in the Webbtown community, the $1.9 million infrastructure project includes water, sewer, road, sidewalk, curb, gutter, and stormwater and will include 31 new homes and serve approximately 122 residents.
“This is the largest project Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne has ever undertaken,” said Matthew Whittle, Executive Director. “Thanks to funding from Golden LEAF and the City of Goldsboro, we can focus on what we do best—building homes and strengthening communities. For the Webbtown area, McNair Heights represents a major investment, not just in infrastructure, but in people, helping families build stronger, more stable futures through affordable homeownership.”
Increasing Jobs and Access to Healthcare in Nashville
The Golden LEAF Board awarded $500,000 to the Town of Nashville to help extend a waterline to the planned site of a UNC Health Nash medical facility. The new center is expected to offer primary and urgent care services and create 15 new jobs.
“Golden LEAF support will help create new, well-paying jobs in Nashville by UNC Health Nash,” said Randy Lansing, Nashville Town Manager. “It also means Nashville and Nash County residents will have access to enhanced medical services right here in town.”
The water line extension will also serve adjacent property that has potential for commercial development and can be further extended in the future to create a looped water system for the town.
“The Town on its own did not have the money needed to proceed with this water extension project,” Lansing added. “Golden LEAF funding is providing the financial resources needed to help construct the $855,854 project.”
Creating Competitive Assets in Northampton County
The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1,500,000 to Northampton County to extend wastewater infrastructure to support development of a site in the Northampton County Commerce Park.
“The award opens the door to attract industrial growth that has a positive impact on Northampton County,” said Derrick Bennett, Executive Director of the Northampton County Economic Development Commission. “Before this award, most industries would not have looked our way as we were missing key infrastructure components. Our Department of Economic Development can now aggressively seek industrial growth, which means more high-paying jobs, capital investment, and a better quality of life for our citizens and surrounding areas.”
Northampton County Commerce Park also was awarded funding through two phases of the Golden LEAF SITE Program, the Due Diligence phase and the Development phase.
“Not only did the funding provided by Golden LEAF help move this project forward, but it also provided knowledge and experience,” said Bennett. “Along with my team of engineers, the Golden LEAF staff and their consultants offered great insights into designing a highly impactful, yet sustainable project. This is more than just a single infrastructure project; this project is moving Northampton County forward.”
Investment in Future Economic Growth
These strategic projects not only address immediate community needs, but they are also creating opportunities for sustainable economic development, job creation, and improved quality of life. As Golden LEAF continues to invest in the physical building blocks of rural prosperity, it is also investing in the people and potential of communities across the state.
Click here to learn how to apply for infrastructure funding through Golden LEAF programs.