Economic Catalyst Program
Economic Catalyst Program supports economic development entities with public infrastructure and site preparation to secure full-time jobs in tobacco-dependent or economically distressed North Carolina communities.
Funder: Golden LEAF Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (Proposals accepted year-round, before the company’s North Carolina location and job-creation announcement)
Funding Amounts: Contact Golden LEAF staff to discuss project-specific funding needs and conditions
Summary: Supports public infrastructure and site preparation to secure company commitments to full-time jobs in tobacco-dependent or economically distressed North Carolina communities.
Key Information: Eligible applicants are governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits; infrastructure must be publicly owned and on public property.
Description
The Economic Catalyst Program is administered by the Golden LEAF Foundation to support job creation in tobacco-dependent or economically distressed areas of North Carolina. It supports eligible state, regional, and local economic development entities pursuing projects where a specific company commits to creating a specified number of full-time jobs if Golden LEAF provides funding. Proposals should be coordinated with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and local and regional economic development organizations.
Infrastructure-related support includes public improvements, such as water and sewer systems needed for a project, and clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites. Competitive applications demonstrate that anticipated jobs are at risk without assistance and that a funding gap would significantly impair efforts to attract those jobs.
