Golden LEAF announces $4.5 million in funding, highlights Western NC recovery efforts, tours regional projects at August Board meeting in Henderson County

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (August 7, 2025) – Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $4.5 million in funding to support long-term economic advancement. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $3.1 million to support seven projects through the Open Grants Program, $1 million to support the first SPARC Initiative project, and $262,600 to support increases in two SITE Program projects. The Board also awarded an additional $150,000 for Hurricane Helene relief.

Golden LEAF awards Hurricane Helene Business Recovery Loan and Relief funding

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.

Golden LEAF Board awards $18.6 million in funding at October meeting, including $13 million to support 420 new jobs in Wilson County

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $18.6 million in funding to support workforce preparedness, job creation and economic investment, agriculture, scholarships, and food distribution assistance. The Board awarded $13,000,000 to support a project through the Economic Catalyst Program, $2,267,634 to support six projects through the Open Grants Program, and $297,154 in increased funding for the Food Distribution Assistance Program. The Golden LEAF Board also approved $3,116,173 in funding for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority to administer the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship.

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $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. The State has appropriated $30 million for the training center. Johnson & Johnson will create 420 quality jobs, paying an average annual wage of over $108,000 and make a capital investment of over $1 billion.

Golden LEAF welcomes Data Manager

On October 7th, 2024 the Golden LEAF Foundation welcomed new Data Manager Arianna Kidder.

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

External Affairs Intern Spotlight: Emma Godwin

To serve as a Golden LEAF intern means participating in giving back to rural, tobacco dependent counties like the one I come from. Growing up in a tobacco dependent county with my father’s family having roots in tobacco farming, I knew I wanted to be a part of an organization that gave back to communities like mine. I think it is important to be a part of an organization that improves the lives of North Carolinians who are in economically distressed parts of the state. 

Golden LEAF announces $18.6 million in funding at October meeting, including $13 million to support 420 new jobs in Wilson County

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C., (October 3, 2024) – Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $18.6 million in funding to support workforce preparedness, job creation and economic investment, agriculture, scholarships, and food distribution assistance. The Board awarded $13,000,000 to support a project through the Economic Catalyst Program, $2,267,634 to support six projects through the Open Grants Program, and $297,154 in increased funding for the Food Distribution Assistance Program. The Golden LEAF Board also approved $3,116,173 in funding for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority to administer the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship.