SNOW HILL, NC – Greene County has been awarded $113,250 in funding through the Golden LEAF Foundation’s SITE Program to conduct due diligence studies on a new industrial site on Burnette Road near Farmville. This is the first time Greene County has received due diligence funding from Golden LEAF, marking a significant step forward in the county’s efforts to prepare for industrial growth.
“On behalf of the Greene County Board of Commissioners and staff, I extend our sincere appreciation to the Golden LEAF Foundation for their generous support,” said Bennie Heath, Chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners. “This funding would not be possible without their steadfast commitment to helping rural communities like ours grow. Agriculture has always been a foundational part of Greene County and it always will be. At the same time, we recognize the importance of creating new employment opportunities that offer stability and prosperity for our residents. With Golden LEAF’s support, we are taking strategic steps to grow in a way that honors our values and builds a stronger future for our county.”
“This Golden LEAF funding validates the vision and hard work of Greene County’s economic development team,” said Senator Buck Newton. “I have enjoyed working closely with Trey Cash and Greene County on this project and others like it. They share my commitment to creating opportunities for our children here at home. This award is a big step toward a brighter future. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
“I want to thank the Greene County Board of Commissioners and county staff for their continued hard work and leadership in growing a more diverse and sustainable economy for the people of Greene County,” said Representative Chris Humphrey. “This kind of long term planning and commitment to progress is exactly what rural North Carolina needs. I also want to thank the Golden LEAF Foundation for believing in eastern North Carolina and for investing in the future of our communities. Their support makes a real difference.”
“The Golden LEAF Board of Directors established the SITE Program to help rural communities identify and develop sites to attract new businesses and create opportunities for existing businesses to expand,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “This funding will help Greene County conduct the necessary due diligence on this new potential industrial site. The Golden LEAF Foundation looks forward to how this project will support Greene County’s current and future economic development efforts.”
“This award is more than just funding. It shows that Golden LEAF believes in our vision for Greene County,” said Trey Cash, Economic Development Director for Greene County. “They see the value in creating strong high quality career opportunities right here at home. We want the next generation, our children and future citizens, to have real chances to succeed without having to leave the place they call home. This investment helps turn that vision into something real and lasting for our community.”
As part of its long term strategy to attract high quality jobs and foster economic growth, Greene County has secured a reservation on farmland along Burnette Road for future industrial development. This site represents a key opportunity to expand the county’s economic base while maintaining a balanced approach to growth.
In the coming months, residents may observe research and engineering activities as the county conducts a comprehensive series of due diligence studies, including environmental assessments, soil testing, and historical and archaeological evaluations. These studies are essential in determining the site’s viability for industrial use and ensuring that any future development aligns with regulatory requirements and best practices.
If the site is deemed suitable, Greene County will initiate the rezoning process to prepare the land for industrial investment. Signage will be placed on the property to keep the community informed, and local stakeholders will have opportunities to engage in the process. Until a qualified industry is identified and secured, the land will continue to be utilized as farmland. The county remains committed to ensuring that development efforts are carefully planned and executed to maximize long term benefits for the community while preserving the integrity of its agricultural heritage.
About Golden LEAF
Golden LEAF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco dependent communities. Since 1999, it has funded projects that created 68,000 jobs and trained over 98,000 workers. Learn more at GoldenLEAF.org.
For more information, please contact:
Trey Cash
Economic Development Director
trey.cash@greenecountync.gov
