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.