The Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) aims to assist individuals and entities in North Carolina negatively impacted by the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). This includes current and former tobacco farmers, quota holders, and those engaged in or displaced from tobacco-related businesses. The NCTTFC, which operates under the guidance of an appointed board and is financially managed by the State Treasurer, aims to distribute funds through compensatory and agricultural programs to mitigate the adverse effects of the MSA.
The grant program focuses on projects that benefit populations affected by the changes in the tobacco industry, particularly those dependent on tobacco at both the farming and manufacturing levels, those experiencing economic distress, and populations primarily earning from agriculture. The program aims to support community economic development, increase farm profitability, promote diversification initiatives, and enhance skills and resource development. The NCTTFC prioritizes projects based on their geographical impact, the number of people affected, and their impact on the agricultural community. It does not provide direct payments to individuals but encourages group applications for community and economic benefits. The funding includes two main categories: the Qualified Agricultural Program (QAP) and the Indirect Compensatory Program (ICP), each designed to support the tobacco-related agricultural economy and compensate for economic losses due to the MSA, ensuring the vitality and solvency of this segment.