This year, the Golden LEAF Foundation Board adopted a long-term strategic plan to serve as a roadmap for the next few years. During the process, Golden LEAF fine-tuned its priority areas and created goals for each of these areas. Golden LEAF’s five strategic priority areas are:
The mission of Golden LEAF is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, economically distressed, and tobacco-dependent communities. Golden LEAF seeks to increase job creation and economic investment in communities by focusing on projects that create and retain jobs, attract new business to North Carolina, expand industries, and train new workers.
These projects 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, local governments, the North Carolina Community College System, and other institutions of higher education to provide gap funding to assist with job creation.
Golden LEAF measures the success of job creation and economic investments projects through tracking the project’s progress in investment in publicly owned infrastructure; investment of privately owned property, plant, and equipment; new full-time jobs created; average annual wage of new full-time jobs; and business start-ups.
Learn about some of the job creation and economic investment projects support by Golden LEAF in Henderson, Davidson, Wilson, Mitchell, Yancey, and Vance counties below:
Blue Ridge Community College – GF Linamar
Blue Ridge Community College’s Southeastern Advanced Molding Technology Education Center (SAMTEC) is providing the needed training to produce a quality workforce pipeline that has helped GF Linamar create 308 quality jobs in western North Carolina. Golden LEAF funds were used to purchase a high-pressure die casting cell that the college uses to train workers for GF Linamar and other companies in the region.
ABC of NC
The construction of a 23,000-square-foot diagnostic and therapeutic clinic has led to the creation of 55 new high-demand jobs and 65 new skilled workers at ABC of NC. The construction of the $4.5 million building was supported by several public and private resources, including Golden LEAF.
City of Wilson – Gig East Exchange
A unique coworking and entrepreneurial space called the Gig East Exchange has helped businesses grow in the City of Wilson even during the pandemic, creating 36 jobs through innovation and entrepreneurship. Golden LEAF funds supported renovating a city-owned building in downtown Wilson.
Bakersville Community Medical Clinic, Inc.
Golden LEAF funds supported the renovation of two healthcare facilities, including upgraded equipment. These renovations and equipment helped Bakersville Community Medical Center Inc. expand services and create 22 new medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare jobs.
Vance County – Mako Medical Laboratories
Mako Medical Laboratories, a medical testing company, has created 153 full time jobs in Vance County. Golden LEAF funds were used by the County to purchase equipment that is leased to Mako Medical at a fair market value.