Turning over a new leaf

The Golden LEAF Foundation has plans for a $3.6 million building.

In November, the economic-development nonprofit bought four acres off Highway 64 in Rocky Mount for $1.1 million. Since then, it's held meetings in a small cabin on the site and allowed community groups to use it several times a week.

In June, the nonprofit's board of directors signed off on plans for a 10,000-square-foot building by Rocky Mount architectural firm Oakley Collier & Associates. The preliminary estimate is $2.5 million.

"We have not signed off on the final budget," said president Valeria Lee.

The nonprofit, which awards grants from the state's tobacco settlement, currently rents a 4,465-square-foot building in downtown Rocky Mount for $5,911 a month. At the end of June, its endowment was around $700 million.

Lee said it was planning to "really sink its roots" into Rocky Mount.