Golden LEAF recognizes that rural and economically distressed communities must have sites available for development to attract new businesses and create opportunities for existing businesses to expand.
How do I know which Golden LEAF program is best for my project needs?
Please check out the summary table of major Golden LEAF program differences below, and click the header to be linked to each program page. Be sure to reach out to Golden LEAF staff to discuss your project and which program would be the best fit prior to starting an application. In some cases, a project may fit in multiple programs.
Key Characteristics
Smaller awards, open year round
Key Characteristics
Larger awards, amounts tied to job creation commitments, proposals usually coordinated with NC Department of Commerce, EDPNC, and local economic development groups.
Key Characteristics
Available in one Prosperity Zone each year
Key Characteristics
Site identification, due diligence, and infrastructure; larger grants for infrastructure
Application Cycle
Open year round, two-stage process
Application Cycle
Open year round; single-stage application process
Application Cycle
Visit the CBGI page for the current and upcoming Prosperity Zones
Application Cycle
Open year round; single-stage application process
Maximum Award
$500,000
Maximum Award
No formal limit set; see program page for details
Maximum Award
$1,500,000
Maximum Award
Typically up to $50,000 for site due diligence; up to $1,500,000 for site development
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Required job creation commitment from a company
Yes
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Use of Funds
Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Use of Funds
Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Use of Funds
Some due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Use of Funds
Site identification; due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Key Characteristics
Smaller awards, open year round
Application Cycle
Open year round, two-stage process
Maximum Award
$500,000
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Use of Funds
Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Key Characteristics
Larger awards, amounts tied to job creation commitments, proposals usually coordinated with NC Department of Commerce, EDPNC, and local economic development groups.
Application Cycle
Open year round; single-stage application process
Maximum Award
No formal limit set; see program page for details
Required job creation commitment from a company
Yes
Use of Funds
Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Key Characteristics
Available in one Prosperity Zone each year
Application Cycle
Visit the CBGI page for the current and upcoming Prosperity Zones
Maximum Award
$1,500,000
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Use of Funds
Some due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
Key Characteristics
Site identification, due diligence, and infrastructure; larger grants for infrastructure
Application Cycle
Open year round; single-stage application process
Maximum Award
Typically up to $50,000 for site due diligence; up to $1,500,000 for site development
Required job creation commitment from a company
No
Use of Funds
Site identification; due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only)
