The Economic Impact on Tobacco Dependent Communities

Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to provide background on tobacco dependency in North Carolina-stressing the importance of people defining dependence in a broad way as they pursue policy options and community development projects. I also wanted to discuss, briefly, the importance of the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the Golden LEAF Foundation, and the Health and Wellness Trust Fund. The state of North Carolina has committed those funds to help tobacco-dependent communities. For instance, I am directing a marketing program for burley tobacco in Asheville, which is supported through the Tobacco Trust Fund. In that program I interact frequently with the people who run the Burley Stabilization Corporation, which is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the case of Tennessee, money from the tobacco settlement has been used to fill holes in the state budget rather than being used for community development or the agricultural industry. My colleagues in Tennessee cannot develop alternative marketing structures like we're doing in Asheville because they lack funding. I came to North Carolina (from Louisiana) because of the willingness of people in this state to talk about tough issues--whether it is education or the lack of development in rural areas. I am very proud to be an adopted North Carolinian.