SITE Program
The SITE Program from the North Carolina Department of Commerce helps communities prepare industrial sites through scientific assessment and development to support economic growth and job creation.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Commerce
Due Dates: Rolling (Board meets Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)
Funding Amounts: Award size varies by phase, site size, and need; up to $1.5M for Development phase.
Summary: Supports North Carolina communities in tobacco-dependent or distressed areas with industrial site identification, due diligence, and development to promote economic growth and job creation.
Key Information: Each phase has unique eligibility, match, and application requirements.
Description
The SITE Program is a grant initiative managed by the Golden LEAF Foundation with support from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. It is designed to help state, regional, and local economic development entities in North Carolina—especially those in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, or rural communities—advance industrial site readiness. The program offers three primary phases (Identification, Due Diligence, Development) and a Shell Building phase, with each phase supporting a different stage of industrial site preparation and marketing. The program’s ultimate goal is to foster economic development and job creation in underserved areas by ensuring communities have quality industrial sites available for business attraction and expansion.
