Giving Local Governments A Boost

Photo of downtown Kinston, North Carolina, by Donn Young

Emerging public leaders from economically distressed communities across North Carolina will be coming to the UNC School of Government to hone their professional skills.

The Golden LEAF Local Government Training Initiative will bring mid- and entry-level public employees to the School of Government’s Center for Public Leadership and Governance for professional training and development programs. The new program is made possible through $493,546 in funding awarded by the Golden LEAF Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“At the School of Government, we see the positive impact of professional development for local government employees every day,” said Mike Smith, dean of the school. “This program is a ‘win’ for employees, local governments, communities, and North Carolina. We are grateful to Golden LEAF for their support.”

Set to launch in March 2021, the initiative aims to strengthen municipal and county governments in counties that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has identified as economically distressed based on factors including the unemployment rate, median household income and tax base per capita. 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.

Read the complete Carolina Story to learn more about this new initiative…

Related Stories

Forty Years of Hope

The Tar Heel behind the Covenant

'The Audacity to Think We Could Do It'