The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $18.9 million in funding across two Golden LEAF Programs and an $8 million for a special initiative. The Board awarded $1.3 million to support four projects through the Open Grants Program and $9,614,500 in funding for seven projects through the Shell Building Pilot Program.
The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $8 million to Methodist University for instructional equipment and other costs related to the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which will create 260 new jobs. At full enrollment, the school will graduate 120 doctors each year, many of whom are expected to enter residencies across seven Tier 1 counties and one Tier 2 county throughout Southeastern North Carolina and remain and practice in the region, creating additional jobs and addressing severe healthcare shortages.
“Research has shown that resident doctors trained in rural areas are more likely to practice in rural areas,” said Golden LEAF Board Chair Ralph Strayhorn. “The funding to Methodist University will not only help build hundreds of jobs throughout southeastern North Carolina, but also increase the number of physicians serving the region. This project will substantially move the needle for rural healthcare in North Carolina.”
The Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded four projects totaling $1.3 million in Open Grants Program funding. These projects will support workforce preparedness in Cleveland, Martin and Stanly counties and job creation outcomes in rural central and western North Carolina.
Included in this is $250,000 to Stanly Community College to support the expansion of the CNC machining program in response to growing need for machinists in the area. Funds will be used for two CNC machines.