The Golden LEAF Foundation in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has announced grants totaling $15.2 million in support of community improvement, workforce development, and hurricane relief and recovery efforts across the state.

Through its Economic Catalyst program, the foundation awarded $4 million to the Town of Holly Springs to upgrade a sewer pump station needed to support a new facility built by Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and the seven hundred and twenty-five jobs it promises to create. Through its Open Grants Program, the foundation awarded grants totaling more than $1 million in support of six projects in Alamance, Cleveland, Hertford, Duplin, Northampton, and Alexander counties, including a grant of $200,000 to James Sprunt Community College for the purchase of simulation equipment and technology for its nurse training program, and a grant of $150,000 to Northampton County Schools for the purchase of agricultural science/business supplies and materials, transportation, certifications, and outreach in the county and surrounding area. And through its Disaster Recovery Grant Program, the foundation awarded $477,000 to ongoing infrastructure projects in Bertie, Robeson, and Hoke counties.

"Today, the Golden LEAF Board awarded funding for projects that will support lasting economic investment in North Carolina," said Golden LEAF president and CEO Scott T. Hamilton. "We are excited to be a part of bringing seven hundred and twenty-five new jobs to our state and to support ten projects that will help build a skilled workforce for North Carolina employers."

For a complete list of grants, see the Golden Leaf Foundation website.