NCGrowth expanded its work with local governments and growing businesses in the Sandhills Region of North Carolina in 2016 with funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation. In the first year of expansion, NCGrowth has worked with 11 businesses through its Entrepreneurial Technical Assistance Program (ETAP). These businesses collectively employ 162 people and half are minority-owned. Additionally, NCGrowth partnered with six Sandhills communities to provide economic development research promoting job creation: Montgomery County, City of Clinton, Town of Roseboro, Bladen County, UNC Pembroke and the Coharie Tribe.
NCGrowth’s work in the Sandhills has led to three business expansions and 32 new jobs, totaling $736,700 in new wages. Sandhills clients have also reported new patents, new product launches, new franchise locations, and increased capacity or skill development for employees.
The Golden LEAF Foundation supports projects with the most potential for bolstering North Carolina’s long-term economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. Golden LEAF’s grant making priority areas include agriculture, job creation and retention, and workforce preparedness. The foundation also supports projects that provide educational opportunities and increase economic vitality.