SITE Program

The Golden LEAF Foundation SITE Program is a private funding initiative designed to support economic development efforts across North Carolina, particularly in rural and economically distressed communities. Golden LEAF is a nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing economic opportunity in communities impacted by the decline of tobacco-dependent industries. Through the SITE Program, the foundation aims to help local governments and nonprofit partners prepare industrial sites that can attract new businesses, encourage job creation, and support the expansion of existing industries. The program prioritizes counties that are designated as economically distressed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, ensuring that resources are directed to areas with the greatest need. The SITE Program is structured into three distinct but interconnected phases: Identification, Due Diligence, and Development. The Identification phase provides funding to communities that lack viable industrial sites, enabling them to locate and evaluate potential properties. The Due Diligence phase supports activities such as environmental assessments, archaeological reviews, and mapping to ensure that identified sites meet necessary standards for development. The Development phase focuses on preparing sites for industrial use by funding infrastructure improvements, as well as grading and clearing for publicly owned properties that have completed prior due diligence. Applicants may enter the program at any phase depending on their project readiness, and sites can progress through multiple phases over time. Funding through the SITE Program is intended for activities directly related to industrial site readiness and development. Eligible uses include technical studies, infrastructure extension, and site preparation work. However, funding is restricted to industrial development purposes such as manufacturing, assembly, warehousing, and distribution. Commercial, retail, residential, and office uses are explicitly excluded. For certain phases, specifically Due Diligence and Development, a matching requirement of 15 percent of the grant amount may apply depending on the county’s economic tier designation. This match can be provided through cash contributions or eligible property acquisition costs, and applicants may request a waiver or reduction under specific circumstances. Eligible applicants for the program include governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate control or ownership of the site, depending on the phase of the program. Public control requires a legally binding agreement that grants the right to purchase the property, while public ownership requires full title to the site. Additional documentation such as title opinions, utility capacity confirmations, and due diligence checklists may be required as part of the application. The program emphasizes collaboration between local governments and development organizations to ensure that projects are viable and aligned with regional economic strategies. Applications to the SITE Program are submitted through the Golden LEAF grant portal and must include required forms such as certification documents, project budgets, and supporting technical materials. The Golden LEAF Board reviews applications during its regular meetings, which occur six times per year in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Applicants must align their submissions with the published application calendar, as deadlines correspond to upcoming board meetings. While applications are due by 12 p.m. on specified dates, the board may consider late submissions at its discretion. The program operates on a recurring cycle with multiple deadlines throughout the year. Each cycle includes a site deadline, followed by an open grants deadline for Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications, and culminates in a board meeting where funding decisions are made. This structured timeline allows for continuous opportunities to apply while maintaining a predictable review process. Applicants are encouraged to consult program resources, guidelines, and staff contacts to ensure compliance with requirements and to determine the most appropriate phase for their project.

Align project with economic distress priorities; ensure complete due diligence documentation; clearly demonstrate site readiness and control