Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with Edward Olive, Director of the University of Mount Olive Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.
Recently, the North Carolina Community College System released a Rural Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships Toolkit. The toolkit includes innovative partnership models that are meeting the evolving workforce demands of the state’s advanced manufacturing sector, particularly in rural areas.
The toolkit is designed to equip rural-serving colleges with practical strategies to expand training, strengthen employer partnerships, and meet regional labor demands. The resource includes real-world examples of how colleges are implementing solutions such as apprenticeship programs supported by ApprenticeshipNC, and customized training programs offered through NCEdge. These efforts are part of a larger push to align education and training with high-demand career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
In rural North Carolina, the future workforce is cultivated in classrooms where middle school students are wrestling with math problems and exploring the first ideas of what their careers might one day be.
That’s why the Golden LEAF Foundation launched the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a $25 million commitment over five years to strengthen middle school math instruction and career development in 15 North Carolina rural schools.
Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations. In this series, Scott talks with professionals about economic development issues affecting the state.
Superintendent Green has served as the North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction since January 1, 2025.
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.
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.
At a time when North Carolina’s employers are facing critical workforce shortages, Rockingham County is rising to the challenge. Golden LEAF is backing a powerful, community-led solution that connects students to career pathways and strengthens the region’s economy by building strong local roots.
In February 2025, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded more than $1.2 million in total funding to Cleveland County Schools, Cleveland Community College, and Gardner-Webb University to establish a new Healthcare Educational Pathway to expand access to the field, build local talent, and strengthen the healthcare workforce in the region.
Surry and Yadkin counties are building a strong workforce through partnerships and work-based learning experiences through Surry-Yadkin Works.
On January 31, 2025, Surry-Yadkin Works held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for Surry-Yadkin Works FLEET program. The Fostering Learning through Education, Employment, and Trades (FLEET) program is the newest program offered through Surry-Yadkin Works.
Golden LEAF supports workforce preparedness projects that increase the number of qualified individuals with skills aligned with current and future needs of North Carolina businesses and prepare students with the technical and life skills necessary to enter work.
