West Wake News

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded more than $11 million to fund 19 projects in three programs, including efforts in agriculture, health care and natural disaster recovery. 

“The Golden LEAF Board was honored to hear from Tom Barkin,” Bo Biggs, Golden LEAF board chair, said in the organization's Aug. 6 press release. “As we work on strategies to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, we appreciate insight from other experts in the field. Golden LEAF will remain laser-focused on its mission to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities.”

The board awarded $531,220 to five projects: a Mount Olive Family Medicine Center expansion project, a North Carolina State University project to create a site for research and three workforce training projects. 

The Center for Creative Leadership received $1.8 million for its Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program, the news release said. Approximately $9 million went to the remaining 13 projects that support hurricane recovery from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. 

“Together, we will continue to face the difficult task of recovering from this unprecedented economic hit resulting from the pandemic,” Scott Hamilton, Golden LEAF president and chief executive officer, said in the press release. “Funding for the projects the Board approved today will help farmers as well as move the state’s economy forward, especially in rural and tobacco-dependent communities, by building the workforce and helping our communities recover from major storms.”