Golden LEAF SITE Program - Identification Phase

The Golden LEAF SITE Program - Identification phase provides funding to assist communities in identifying potential industrial sites for economic development. This program is designed to help communities without high-quality industrial sites by funding site development consultants who will work with applicants to identify and evaluate potential sites. The consultants will conduct a GIS analysis, perform site visits, and make recommendations on the most suitable locations for industrial development. The ultimate goal is to help communities create a pipeline of sites that can be developed into economic assets.

The funding supports a structured process where consultants engage with local governments or nonprofits to gather relevant economic development data, analyze community infrastructure and assets, and apply GIS screening to identify viable sites. The process includes identifying exploration zones, conducting site visits, and producing a final report outlining development potential, site strengths and weaknesses, and expected timeframes for development.

Eligible applicants include county governments, other eligible governmental entities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits, provided they secure a letter of support from the county government. The program anticipates only one application per county for the identification phase. Applicants must demonstrate how site identification aligns with their broader economic development strategy and provide information about existing industrial sites, prior marketing efforts, and infrastructure capacity.

Applications must be submitted via Golden LEAF’s online portal. The application process requires detailed information about the applicant’s economic development program, community engagement efforts, and past industrial development activities. Additional required documents include financial statements, an economic development strategic plan, and a list of publicly controlled industrial sites, if available.

Evaluation criteria focus on the community’s demonstrated need for site identification, strategic planning, and commitment to supporting industrial site development. The program also considers whether the community has a history of engaging with potential industrial prospects and whether existing sites meet industrial development needs.

The application timeline includes an initial phone consultation, data collection, GIS screening, site visits, and a final report presentation. The program follows a structured process to ensure comprehensive evaluation and identification of high-potential sites for future industrial development.