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.
| Open Grants Program | Economic Catalyst | Community-Based Grants Initiative (CBGI) | SITE Program | |
| Key Characteristics | Smaller awards, open year round | Larger awards, amounts tied to job creation commitments, proposals usually coordinated with NC Department of Commerce, EDPNC, and local economic development groups. | Available in one Prosperity Zone each year | Site identification, due diligence, and infrastructure; larger grants for infrastructure |
| Application Cycle | Open year round, two-stage process | Open year round; single-stage application process | Visit the CBGI page for the current and upcoming Prosperity Zones | Open year round; single-stage application process |
| Maximum Award | $500,000 | No formal limit set; see program page for details | $1,500,000 | 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 | Yes | No | No |
| Use of funds | Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only) | Public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only) | Some due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only) | Site identification; due diligence; public infrastructure; clearing and grading (publicly owned sites only) |
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