Golden Leaf Foundation logo
Search icon

Job Creation
and Economic
Investment

underline squiggle

Golden LEAF funds economic development 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
  • Business start-ups
  • New housing units

As well as narrative outcomes including: jobs retained that were at risk without Golden LEAF support; comparison to county wages; job creation in identified job sectors; etc.

Projects are awarded in this priority area through all Golden LEAF programs. Please review the information and links below to determine which program might be best for your project.

Funding Opportunities for Job Creation and Economic Investment

Job Creation and Economic Investment News

J&J event

Golden LEAF Economic Catalyst Funding Supports Crucial Job Creation

When a company considers bringing new jobs to a community, details matter. From the speed of moving from deal-signing to production, to site infrastructure and workforce availability, these are critical factors that determine where and how companies choose to grow.
July 23, 2025
Cayton Center Groundbreaking Shovels-5 (1)
,

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

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.
July 23, 2025
Critical Conversations (59)
,

Critical Conversations with Scott T. Hamilton, featuring Ted Lord, Golden LEAF Senior Vice President/General Counsel

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with Ted Lord, Golden LEAF Senior Vice President/General Counsel, via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.
July 9, 2025