ASHEBORO – Funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation in the amount of $400,000 has been designated for Randolph County to aid in roadway improvements associated with the Ross Stores distribution center in Randleman.
The money comes in addition to the Golden LEAF Foundation’s $4.4 million distribution connected to 10 projects across the state.
The award to Randolph County comes under a separate category for economic catalyst. This spring, Ross Stores announced plans to build a distribution center of about 1.7 million square feet.
Public road improvements have been deemed necessary as part of the development of the area.
Golden LEAF Foundation has been involved in that location in terms of a $1 million award in 2022 that extended sewer to that Randleman site.
In this round of funding, no other Triad county was among the 10 other counties designated for assistance.
Students rewarded
Two Randolph County students were selected for Golden LEAF Scholarships for a program that assists students from rural areas in the state.
Recent graduates entering college as first-year students are eligible for the scholarships that are good for up to four years of undergraduate study at a North Carolina college or university.
The Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 rural North Carolina students were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship, including two in Randolph County. High school seniors entering college as first year students are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship each year for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating four-year North Carolina college or university. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for up to three years of undergraduate study.
The recipients from the county are Trinity’s Gracie Brewer (going to UNC Wilmington) and Wheatmore’s Gracie Marshall (going to Campbell).
Based on information from the Golden Leaf Foundation, recipients from rural or economically distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on future career goals and an expressed intent to contribute to the stateʼs rural communities upon graduation from college.
