Golden LEAF funds Job Creation and Economic Investment projects that focus on creating and retaining jobs, attracting new business to North Carolina, expanding industries and training new workers.

Primarily, these projects are meant to create, expand, or improve business activity in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed or rural communities. Golden LEAF partners with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and local governments to provide gap funding to assist with job creation.

Projects in this priority area gather data to support outcomes including:

• Investment in publicly owned infrastructure;
• Investment in privately owned property, plant, and equipment;
• New full-time jobs created;
• Average annual wage of new full-time jobs; and
• Business start-ups.

Some of the narrative outcomes include jobs retained that were at risk without Golden LEAF support; comparison to county wages; and job creation in identified job sectors.

Golden LEAF Board can support these projects in a variety of ways:

• Public infrastructure such as water, sewer, or access roads.
• Clearing and grading.
• Training equipment or construction/renovation of space needed to provide training at a permissible workforce training institution.
• Grantee owned and leased equipment.

To learn more about how to apply for funding for Job Creation and Economic Investment projects, visit Open Grants Program, Economic Catalyst Program, SITE Program, and Community-Based Grants Initiative pages.

Rocky Mount, N.C., (January 9, 2025) The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties. Applications are due March 1, 2025.

In December, Golden LEAF Program Officer and A/V Tech Coordinator, Brynn Fann graduated from the Rural Economic Development Institute, REDI. REDI is the NC Rural Center’s flagship leadership development program. This three-month leadership training prepares existing and emerging leaders with tools needed to approach economic and community development issues amongst rural North Carolina.

“I applied for REDI to obtain a certification and increase my knowledge on management practices found within rural initiatives,” said Fann. “After joining the program, I realized REDI offered so much more.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation has launched new websites to reflect its new branding, increase engagement, and provide a more user-friendly experience: Golden LEAF Foundation and Golden LEAF Scholarship websites.

This launch was in conjunction with Golden LEAF’s 25th Anniversary.

The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application for the 2025-2026 academic year is now available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties. Applications are due March 1, 2025.

The awards are valued at $14,000 ($3,500 per year for up to four years) for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive up to $10,500 ($3,500 per year for up to three years).

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with Dr. Alfredo Romero, Interim Chair of Economics at North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.

The Golden LEAF Foundation celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year with a new brand rollout, new website, and a celebration in conjunction with the annual Board meeting.

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with the Chair of the Golden LEAF Board of Directors Ralph Strayhorn, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.

At the December meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $2 million in funding to support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects. The Board awarded $378,200 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,549,400 for two projects through the SITE Program.

On November 15, 2024 the Golden LEAF Foundation welcomed new Digital Communications Specialist Meaghan Malone.

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