Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP) has been awarded $500,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation to equip a new integrated healthcare clinic in Spruce Pine, located in Mitchell County. The funding will support the purchase of an essential exam room, diagnostic and treatment equipment, and is expected to create 24 new jobs.

The grant was approved through Golden LEAF’s Open Grants Program during the Foundation’s Feb. 5, 2026 Board of Directors meeting. At that meeting, the Golden LEAF Board announced a total of $17,376,679 in awards to support job creation and economic investment, workforce preparedness, and agriculture projects across North Carolina.

“Golden LEAF is proud to support Mountain Community Health Partnership’s strategy to provide comprehensive and medical care through a new integrated health care clinic in Spruce Pine,” said Golden LEAF President and Chief Executive Officer, Scott T. Hamilton. “This clinic will not only build a healthier workforce by improving access to care in a medically underserved region, but also create 24 new, quality jobs in Mitchell County.”

The award to Mountain Community Health Partnership reflects Golden LEAF’s continued investment in healthcare infrastructure as a critical component of economic vitality in rural communities.

The new Spruce Pine clinic will expand access to comprehensive, integrated healthcare services for residents of Mitchell County and surrounding areas. By equipping the facility with modern medical technology and treatment capabilities, MCHP aims to enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the local healthcare workforce.

“This investment allows us to better meet the growing healthcare needs of our community while also contributing to economic development through job creation,” said Tim Evans Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Community Health Partnership, “We are grateful to Golden LEAF for recognizing the essential role that accessible healthcare plays in building strong, resilient rural communities.”