Tobacco Settlement Group Gives Millions in Grants

Source from:  dailycomet.com The Associated Press 10/26/2007

RALEIGH, N.C. A trust fund created with tobacco settlement money to help farmers and related businesses has awarded $3.2 million for projects to help rural and agricultural economies in North Carolina. The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission approved the grants for 25 projects that focus on diversifying farm activities, training and preserving natural resources and farm land. The organization says two grants were for the maximum $300,000 each. One grant goes to the town of Fair Bluff to expand a river walk to help replace lost tobacco income with tourism. The other goes to the Rural Advancement Foundation in Pittsboro to help farms develop diverse crops. Among smaller grants was $26,000 to help with the harvest and preparation of purple sweet potatoes grown in Stokes County. Enditem