--- title: Golden LEAF supports Fleet Readiness Center East MRO Complex at NC Global TransPark description: The Golden LEAF Foundation board this week approved a $6 million grant to the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority to help pay for a Navy aircraft repair facility in Kinston that is expected to add 444 jobs over the next six years. The $435 million project is an extension of the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East, the aviation… image: https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Post-Image-2-1.jpg --- [![EDR Logo 12-21](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EDR%20Logo%2012-21.jpg?width=2475&height=800&name=EDR%20Logo%2012-21.jpg "EDR Logo 12-21")](https://ncgtpedr.com) - [About Us](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Our Team](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us#team) - [Our Board of Directors](https://ncgtpedr.com/about-us#board) - [Our Investors](https://ncgtpedr.com/invest#investors) - Data & Grants Show submenu for Data & Grants - [NC Global TransPark](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=district-458da14f-8f13-4e3f-886e-766c7d35b318&community_level=district&community_state=37&community_loc=458da14f-8f13-4e3f-886e-766c7d35b318) - [Wayne County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-191&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=191) - [Lenoir County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-107&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=107) - [Greene County](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/?community=county-37-079&community_level=county&community_state=37&community_loc=079) - [Incentives & Grants](https://edpnc.com/incentives/) - [News](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news) - [Invest In Us](https://ncgtpedr.com/invest) - [Available Industrial Sites](https://app.sitehunt.io/public/portal/289/) Search - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Golden LEAF supports Fleet Readiness Center East MRO Complex at NC Global TransPark ![EDR](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hubfs/EDR%20Letters-WEB-3.jpg) [EDR](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/author/edr) Jun 7, 2024, 9:00:00 AM - [Economic Development](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/tag/economic-development) [**The Golden LEAF Foundation**](https://goldenleaf.org/about/) board this week approved a $6 million grant to the [**North Carolina Global TransPark Authority**](https://www.ncgtp.com/Pages/default.aspx#/)to help pay for a Navy aircraft repair facility in Kinston that is expected to add 444 jobs over the next six years. The $435 million project is an extension of the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East, the aviation maintenance and repair depot at[ Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point](https://www.cherrypoint.marines.mil/) in Havelock. The Kinston site is expected to help maintain C-130 transport planes, which are now mainly serviced at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Golden LEAF’s contribution is on top of $350 million allotted in[**the state budget**](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/SessionLaws/PDF/2023-2024/SL2023-134.pdf)to support the project. The Navy is slated to lease the Global Transpark for at least $15 million a year, which will pay back the state outlay. The TransPark board last week approved $90 million of contracts for the two-phase project, which is now expected to handle additional work compared with initial estimates. “This is a big step forward for the Global TransPark,” Board Chairman Tom Hendrickson told *NC Military Report* editor Dan Barkin. The Navy project is a big victory for the TransPark, which state leaders created more than 30 years ago to boost economic development in rural eastern North Carolina. The TransPark jobs are expected to pay about $72,700 a year, compared with an average wage of $48,500 in Lenoir County. Construction is expected to start by the end of this year, according to people familiar with the project. The TransPark is an hour’s drive from Cherry Point. It has an 11,500-foot runway, 2,500 acres and a growing aviation presence, with Wichita, Kansas-based[ Spirit AeroSystems](https://www.ncgtp.com/work/Pages/composite-center.aspx) and Kinston-based charter jet company[ flyExclusive. ](https://businessnc.com/flyexclusive-projects-522m-in-23-revenue-taps-holding-for-board-seat/)Lenoir Community College is building a[$25 million Aviation Center of Excellence](https://wcti12.com/news/local/lenoir-community-college-receives-grant-for-aviation-programs) at the transpark. FRC East employs about 4,000 people in Craven County, making it the largest industrial employer east of Interstate 95. Golden LEAF was created by the 1998 agreement with large tobacco companies related to a settlement of public-health litigation. The fund had assets of $1.3 billion as of April 30. Over its history, it has provided an equal amount to support economic efforts, mostly in N.C. areas once dominated by the tobacco industry. Original article published in **BUSINESS NC** magazine. > [New Home Page](https://goldenleaf.org/) ## Read On [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Post%20Image-1-Mar-03-2025-04-28-47-2700-PM.jpg?width=352&name=Post%20Image-1-Mar-03-2025-04-28-47-2700-PM.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/ncgtp-secures-1.9m-rural-infrastructure-authority-ria-grant) ##### [$1.9M Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) Grant for Lenoir County and North Carolina Global TransPark](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/ncgtp-secures-1.9m-rural-infrastructure-authority-ria-grant) Congratulations to [**Lenoir County, North Carolina,**](https://www.facebook.com/LenoirCounty?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWrs0bzkpr9GmWh3ShiiTjNSZd39ElmE3NdzMu91fxm-KMVUpUsEFieyL8_grCh0aUtgRKsBma67T802xnGxfNOgWVGy5r9qpRXflZybD_FlvFFseKsUw7o0Ix7RL9Pn4ojp6bk1FWTBOu3SVa1E1rY&__tn__=-%5DK-R) and the [**North Carolina Global TransPark**](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069259629309&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZUsLapyvrhCEwp48T7o2VA-q9jlL1pO4gqxSXBa9hq7BWsPNZljPGlxh8DHi2DO5pnM09rd91F9Q3KY2Njb35z0jAzDO-nFL6rTgO8RbYSUtWF4F2uUj7AxGUTyYDTjUz0yNhQWPLLRtHxtIuJ2OvT5&__tn__=-%5DK-R) on... [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bees.jpg?width=352&name=bees.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/nc-rural-infrastructure-authority-grants-building-envelope-erection-services-75k-for-snow-hill-site-expansion) ##### [NC Rural Infrastructure Authority Grants Building Envelope Erection Services $75K for Snow Hill Site Expansion](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/nc-rural-infrastructure-authority-grants-building-envelope-erection-services-75k-for-snow-hill-site-expansion) The NC Rural Infrastructure Authority announced today that Building Envelope Erection Services,... [![](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2175-copy-1024x768.jpg?width=352&name=IMG_2175-copy-1024x768.jpg)](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/lenoir-county-commissioners-tour-grupporeco-reco-kinston-plant) ##### [Lenoir County Commissioners Tour Grupporeco-Reco Kinston Plant](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/ncgtpedr-news/lenoir-county-commissioners-tour-grupporeco-reco-kinston-plant) Lenoir County Board of Commissioners and staff had the opportunity to explore the newly constructed... ![Heart of Eastern NC-EDR Logo-1](https://blog.ncgtpedr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heart%20of%20Eastern%20NC-EDR%20Logo-1.jpg?width=300&height=144&name=Heart%20of%20Eastern%20NC-EDR%20Logo-1.jpg "Heart of Eastern NC-EDR Logo-1") North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving as the pivotal hub for industrial development, business recruitment, and site selection throughout Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties and the North Carolina Global TransPark. Address 2780 Jetport Road Suite D Kinston, NC 28504 Phone (252) 543-8550 --- [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?viewas=100000686899395&id=100069259629309) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/nc-global-transpark-economic-development-region/?viewAsMember=true) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@NCGlobalTransParkEconomicDevel) [Email us](mailto:info@ncgtpedr.com) © 2026  North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Inc. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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