Harnett County secures $656K from Golden LEAF to advance Western Harnett Innovation Park
By Staff Report, posted Feb 12, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com
Harnett County has been awarded $656,051 from the Golden LEAF Foundation through the Community-Based Grants Initiative in the North Central Prosperity Zone to support job creation and economic investment.
The funding will support Phase 1 development activities of 40 acres at Western Harnett Innovation Park. Site readiness activities, including due diligence, design and engineering, will occur on the full 40 acres. Site development activities, including clearing, grubbing and grading, will occur on approximately 10 acres at the entrance of the park. This investment advances Harnett County’s strategy to create market-ready sites that attract new or expanding companies, bringing high-quality, well-paying jobs to the community.
“We are excited to have the funding necessary to kick-start site preparation activities that will yield employment opportunities in western Harnett County,” said Harnett County’s Economic Development Director Stephen Barrington in a press release. “This project furthers the County’s efforts to proactively position our community to attract new or expanding employers who offer good quality jobs that pay above average wages.”
Western Harnett Innovation Park spans approximately 177 acres and is designed to accommodate light industrial, flex and office development. Located on Olive Farm Road, the Park sits off Highway 87, a four-lane corridor connecting Fort Bragg and Sanford in neighboring Lee County. The site is 15 miles to U.S. 1 in Sanford and 28 miles to Interstate 95 in Fayetteville, providing strong regional access for business and industry.
“We are grateful to the Golden LEAF Foundation for choosing to invest in Harnett County,” said Harnett County Manager Brent Trout in a press release. “The Golden LEAF Foundation has been, and continues to be, a great partner to our community. Their funding of this project further demonstrates their commitment to help communities compete for new jobs.”
Western Harnett Innovation Park is also home to Central Carolina Community College’s (CCCC) West Harnett Training Center, which houses the Automotive Restoration Technology program, featuring an engine lab, upholstery lab and wood fabrication shop.
Initial site work at Western Harnett Innovation Park is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027. Future development phases will be explored upon completion of Phase 1.
Learn more about how the Golden LEAF Foundation is supporting rural communities across North Carolina at goldenleaf.org/news.
To learn more about economic development in Harnett County, visit
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