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Job Creation
and Economic
Investment

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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.

Current Funding Opportunities

Open Grants Program
SITE Program

News

Critical Conversations - Social (2)

Golden LEAF Critical Conversations: Partnerships for Rural Economic Growth

Economic development in rural communities rarely happens because of the work of one organization. Long before a company announces plans to locate or expand, local, regional, state, and federal partners are working together to strengthen communities, prepare infrastructure, develop sites, support businesses, and position rural areas to compete for new investment.
October 7, 2026
For Web sizing (1)

Habitat for Humanity builds homes to support the workforce in Wayne County  

As North Carolina's population continues to grow, so does the demand for workforce housing. In Goldsboro, Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne is partnering with Golden LEAF and others to transform a 24.5-acre site into a new mixed-income neighborhood that will provide homes for essential workers while strengthening the local economy. Discover how infrastructure investments and community partnerships are helping address one of rural North Carolina's most pressing economic development challenges.
July 21, 2026
Critical Conversations (86)

Golden LEAF Critical Conversations: Housing as Economic Development 

Housing has become one of the most significant challenges facing communities across North Carolina. As employers expand their operations and the state's population continues to grow, many rural communities are struggling to provide housing for teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, manufacturing employees, and other essential workers.
July 8, 2026