Northampton County Awarded $1.5 Million Golden Leaf Infrastructure Grant

Written by:   wildfire

July 2025—Northampton County’s Economic Development team was recently awarded a $1.5 million infrastructure grant by the Golden Leaf Foundation to be used for infrastructure expansion at Northampton County Commerce Park. The NCCP, a 300-acre industrial site adjacent to I-95 in Garysburg, is a county-driven initiative to attract capital investment, nurture job growth, and encourage community development.

Economic Development Director Derrick Bennet said, “Grant funding is very competitive right now due to limited funds and great state-wide need. But my team doesn’t back down from a challenge. With the help of Northampton County’s Department of Public Works, we fought to be at the top of Golden Leaf’s consideration list. Our determination paid off.” According to Bennett, the NCCP is a key component to paving the roadway for industrial development. “Major companies are hungry for prime property near the interstate, which Northampton County has. But our ability to attract new businesses and grow our financial portfolio hinges on meeting those end-user’s infrastructure needs.”

In addition to the $1.5 million infrastructure grant, Northampton County’s Economic Development team also secured two due diligence grants for $50,000 and $36,000, respectively. Bennett confirmed these due diligence assessments are prerequisites for any land development type. “Development projects are much more detailed and complex than people realize. The better due diligence studies we have on the property, the better our chances of attracting top-notch companies.”

The Economic Development team looks forward to using these grant funds to help catapult Northampton County forward. Additional information on the project will be provided upon acceptance and execution of the grant.

Derrick Bennett, Director of Economic Development

Derrick.bennett@nhcnc.net

Shannon Godwin

Shannon.godwin@nhcnc.net