The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission announced $6.1 million in new grants

for a record 36 projects. The grants place a high priority on projects that address ways to stimulate the

agricultural economy in local communities, decrease unemployment and strengthen sales of local

foods. Projects that support the agricultural economy in North Carolina, especially in areas affected by

changes in the tobacco industry, were targeted.

"The rural economy in North Carolina has continued to face challenges in a post-tobacco

buyout era," said Billy Carter, the Commission’s chairman. "With this new grant cycle, the Tobacco

Trust Fund Commission placed a high priority on projects that will stimulate sales of North Carolina

products, assist dislocated workers with workforce development and fund a variety of other innovative

projects.”

Since 2002, the NCTTF has awarded grants to public and nonprofit agencies that meet the

goals of strengthening the rural and tobacco-dependent economies of North Carolina. The current

grant awards include unique projects such as jump-starting local foods coalitions across the state, job

skills training at 24 community colleges, funding for new farmers markets, a new campaign to assist

nursery & landscape companies and expanded research on crops such as raspberries, organic canola &

hard winter wheat. These projects will compliment an already diverse grant portfolio that includes such

statewide initiatives as energy efficiency programs, a major drought response project from which over

1,000 farmers have benefitted and cost-share assistance to help small farmers diversify their

operations.

The General Assembly created the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in 2000 to help soften the

financial impact to farmers and tobacco-related businesses caused by the sharp decline of tobacco in

the agricultural economy. The commission’s funding comes from monies paid by cigarette

manufacturers under the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.

For more information about the 2010 grant awards, visit the NC TTFC website at

tobaccotrustfund.org.