Project Spotlight Archives - Page 2 of 5

Eastern and Western North Carolina food hubs expand opportunities for farmers and food entrepreneurs

Jenny Tinklepaugh on September 24, 2025

Food hubs in both Eastern and Western North Carolina are working to grow their reach, support more farmers, and increase access to local food thanks in part to strategic funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Across Southeastern North Carolina, Feast Down East is scaling its operations to meet rising demand from farmers and buyers. The Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors awarded Feast Down East $250,000 through the Open Grants Program to increase refrigeration and storage capacity at its Burgaw food hub and Wilmington satellite location.

Golden LEAF supports training and employer growth of booming horticultural industry in Western North Carolina

Jenny Tinklepaugh on September 24, 2025

The horticultural industry in Western North Carolina is booming, driving both economic growth and workforce demand. To meet this need, the Golden LEAF Foundation has funded projects to help with both the training and infrastructure required to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals to strengthen the state’s number one industry, agriculture.

Golden LEAF Food Distribution Assistance Program expands access to food across NC

Jenny Tinklepaugh on September 10, 2025

The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $10 million to the Golden LEAF Foundation for the Food Distribution Assistance Program, a one-time initiative to strengthen the state’s food distribution network. Funded by federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the program was designed to expand the capacity of nonprofits working alongside food banks to address food insecurity.

Persistence and public-private partnerships net new industrial park, satellite campus in Aurora

Jenny Tinklepaugh on July 23, 2025

What started as a vision to boost the economy in the rural town of Aurora has resulted in a new industrial park with jobs on the way.

On June 19, the Town of Aurora and Beaufort County Community College broke ground on the Aurora Industrial Park and the college’s only satellite campus, which will be located within the park.

Building stronger rural communities through infrastructure investment

Jenny Tinklepaugh on July 9, 2025

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.

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.

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.

University of Mount Olive livestock training facility to provide hands-on learning for students, farmers

Jenny Tinklepaugh on March 12, 2025

The University of Mount Olive is building a new livestock/forage training facility that will provide research and educational opportunities for college students and the greater agricultural community.