Local governments are key to creating economic development opportunities in rural, economically distressed areas. In many of our smaller communities, those working in these roles have a whole host of responsibilities and limited access to leadership training.
To support these communities, Golden LEAF has partnered with the Center for Public Leadership and Governance (CPLG) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government to launch the Golden LEAF Local Government Training Initiative for mid- and entry-level public leaders from economically distressed North Carolina communities.
“Golden LEAF is proud to work with the Center for Public Leadership and Governance to support local government leaders in rural North Carolina,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “Golden LEAF is focused on improving the competitiveness, capacity, and vitality of rural communities. This initiative will ease the financial burden for qualified public leaders to attend professional development training.”
The initiative aims to strengthen local governments in North Carolina’s Tier 1 communities by providing scholarships to attend professional development opportunities for their mid- and entry-level public leaders.
“These funds will ensure that local governments in our state’s most economically distressed communities can access meaningful leadership and professional development opportunities,” said Peg Carlson, director of the Center for Public Leadership and Governance.
David Richardson, Executive Director at the Lumber River Council of Governments, said he is sharing the program with local government leaders in the region he serves. The Lumber River Council of Governments includes Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties.
“This is a golden opportunity for local leaders across the state,” said Richardson. “Most small governments just do not have the budget for training. I am looking forward to the Lumber River Region’s leaders having the opportunity to participate in this program.”
The initiative is open to municipal and county governments located in Tier One counties across the state as specified by the North Carolina Department of Commerce 2020, 2021, and 2022 County Distress Rankings. Click here to see a list of the qualifying counties for the program.
With an emphasis on nurturing future leaders, support will target public professionals working at the department director level and below, and local elected leaders from small municipalities with mayor-council forms of government. Click here for a list of qualifying mayor-council governments.
Qualifying local governments can participate via three distinct programs:
- Training for employees in public management and supervision;
- Individual scholarships for School of Government programs;
- Organizational scholarships for customized advising and training.
For more information on how an employee or local government organization can participate in the Golden LEAF Local Government Training Initiative, please visit our webpage at https://cplg.sog.unc.edu/services/current-projects/glf-lgti/, sign up for the mailing list, or contact Jenny Neville at [email protected].