COMPILED BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

Grants to help further Edenton’s Project Teapot, feed local residents and educate youths were recently awarded in Northeastern North Carolina.

Below is a rundown on some of the funding.

Golden LEAF

The Golden LEAF Board of Directors announced on Thursday, Aug. 7, that the nonprofit awarded a total of $4.5 million in funding to support long-term economic advancement. The Town of Edenton was awarded $500,000 of those funds to further Project Teapot, an economic development effort that includes bringing Provalus, a business process and Information Technology company, to downtown.

The August Golden LEAF Board meeting was held in Western North Carolina at Blue Ridge Community College. The Golden LEAF Board heard from a panel of economic development leaders from the region on post-Hurricane Helene recovery, strategies for economic diversification in Western North Carolina, and ways to help rural areas build a more resilient economy. The Board also toured Golden LEAF-funded projects at Blue Ridge Community College and Baptists on Mission.

The funds for Edenton will be used for the construction and renovation of what is now known as The Brick, a multi-level building at 211 S. Broad St. Once established in town, Provalus will create 61 full-time jobs by the end of three years and 155 jobs over five, according to Golden LEAF’s press release.

The Golden LEAF Board also awarded five other Open Grants Program projects in Brunswick, Guilford, McDowell and Pitt counties – a total of $2,177,028 – for workforce training and job creations and economic investment projects.

• $500,000 to Brunswick Community College for equipment for an Industrial Maintenance program to train students in technical skills and support local industry needs.
• $347,028 to East Carolina University in Pitt County for a graduate assistant, faculty stipends, student internships, travel, asset mapping/meetings, and outreach/marketing to expand RISE29, which will assist new counties with small business growth.
• $250,000 to Guilford County Schools for the renovation and upfit of a new Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Academy at Southeast High School, supporting student pathways and work-based learning for employment in these fast-growing fields. 
• $80,000 to McDowell Technical Community College for upfit, equipment, personnel, and participant support services for the expansion of the nurse aide training lab at MTCC’s Old Fort Workforce Development Center.
• $500,000 to Pitt Community College to purchase welding equipment for a new state-of-the-art welding facility, expanding student capacity and certification opportunities.

The Golden LEAF Board awarded $3.1 million to support seven projects through the Open Grants Program, $1 million to support the first SPARC (Strategic Projects Advancing Rural Communities) Initiative project, and $262,600 to support increases in two SITE Program projects. The Board also awarded an additional $150,000 for Hurricane Helene relief.

Since 1999, Golden LEAF has funded 2,346 projects totaling $1.5 billion supporting the mission of advancing economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities. 

Timbermill Wind

Apex Clean Energy is proud to announce the latest recipients of the Timbermill Wind Community Grant Program: The Boys and Girls Club of the Albemarle, Edenton Farmers Market, Edenton Chowan Food Pantry and The Open Door Food Pantry of Perquimans County.

These four community-based organizations are dedicated to strengthening the region. The grant awards, totaling $20,000, will help improve childhood nutrition, expand academic enrichment programs, and increase healthy food access for families.

“We’re proud to continue building on our commitment to the region through the Timbermill Wind Community Grant Program,” said Quita Bride, Public Engagement Manager at Apex Clean Energy. “Being a good neighbor means more than just bringing clean energy to the region. It means supporting the people and organizations who make this community strong. We’re honored to contribute to projects that help families thrive and create opportunities for the future.”

The Edenton Farmers Market was awarded $5,000 to boost the purchasing power of SNAP recipients buying fresh, local produce. Through the Timbermill Wind Fresh Match program, the market matches every SNAP dollar spent on fresh eggs, local honey, and seasonal fruits and vegetables from area farms.

“The Edenton Farmers Market Board of Directors wants to thank Timbermill Wind for their kindness and unwavering support through its Community Grant program,” said board president Mary Wolfe. “The grant allows lower-income families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy more fruits, vegetables, honey, and eggs from local farms. Timbermill Wind Fresh Match doubles the purchasing power of SNAP/EBT by matching each EBT dollar spent.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Albemarle received a $5,000 grant to support Project Learn, a national initiative that promotes academic enrichment and keeps underserved youth engaged in their education.

“We are sincerely grateful for the ongoing support we receive from the Timbermill Wind community grant program” said Elizabeth Mitchell, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Albemarle. “This nationally recognized program reinforces and supports what our Club members are learning in school through fun, hands-on activities that keep them growing and engaged every day at the Boys & Girls Club.”

The Open Door of Perquimans County received a $5,000 grant to help power its mission of fighting hunger and improving community health through nutritious food access, education, and advocacy.

“At The Open Door of Perquimans County, our mission is to eliminate hunger and improve the health and well-being of our community by providing access to healthy, nutritious foods, along with education and advocacy. This generous award from the Timbermill Wind Community Grant Program will help enable us to reach more neighbors in need and continue delivering critical assistance to those facing hunger and hardship,” said board chair Dina Hurdle.

The Edenton-Chowan Food Pantry received a $5,000 grant to support its Children’s Summer Nutrition Program, which provides reliable, nutritious food to children during the summer when school meals are unavailable. The program is open to all families that have children enrolled in Edenton-Chowan Schools.

Families can pick up food between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays until Aug. 20 at the food pantry, located on North Broad Street.

“We are incredibly grateful to Apex Clean Energy for their continued, generous support of the Edenton Chowan Food Pantry Children’s Summer Nutrition Program,” said board president Amanda W. Howell. “As one of our most resource-intensive efforts, this program plays a critical role in ensuring that children in our community have access to reliable, nutritious food during the summer months when school meals are not available. Apex’s investment not only nourishes our children. It affirms their commitment to strengthening and supporting the communities they serve.”

To date, the Timbermill Wind Community Grant Program has provided over $120,000 to regional nonprofit organizations and community groups. Timbermill Wind began operations in 2024.