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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sara Parsons
Date: Dec. 16, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES TOBACCO GROWERS AND QUOTA HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PHASE II TOBACCO TRUST FUND PAYMENTS
More Than $152 Million Will Be Distributed In The Final Year of Fund Payments
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that 76,702 flue-cured and burley tobacco growers and quota holders in North Carolina will receive more than $152 million in the final payment year from the North Carolina Phase II Trust Fund. Checks are being mailed today and Monday. Since 1999, North Carolina farmers and quota holders have received more than $837 million from the Fund.
“When I negotiated the national tobacco settlement, I made certain that there would be a separate agreement that benefited our farmers,” said Easley. “For the past six years, as our economy has transitioned, the Phase II payments have provided a boost for the agriculture industry and allowed many farmers to successfully diversify their farming operations.”
The payments were a part of a settlement reached by the attorneys general and governors of 14 tobacco producing states and four major tobacco manufacturers. The purpose of the Fund was to offset losses experienced by tobacco owners and quota owners as a result of reduced sales of cigarettes following the Phase I settlement. Phase II payments will end this year as a result of the tobacco buyout and end of the quota system.
“Since 1999, our farmers have used Phase II money to upgrade their operations and make them more efficient,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This money has not only helped farmers, it has also helped rural communities throughout North Carolina.”
Phase II funds are administered by the N.C. Phase II Tobacco Certification Entity Inc., a private, nonprofit organization with a 14-member Board of Directors including the Governor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Attorney General, two members of the State’s congressional delegation, two members of the State legislature, six tobacco owners and quota holders and a private citizen.
To receive payments from the Fund, growers and quota holders must have been certified each year by the N.C. Phase II Tobacco Certification Entity. For more information about the Fund, visit www.ncphase2.com.
Agriculture is North Carolina’s top industry, contributing more than $59 billion annually to the state’s economy. Agriculture and agribusiness employs more than 18 percent of the state’s work force.
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| Full Text | Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor Governor's Press Office State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166 For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sara Parsons Date: Dec. 16, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES TOBACCO GROWERS AND QUOTA HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PHASE II TOBACCO TRUST FUND PAYMENTS More Than $152 Million Will Be Distributed In The Final Year of Fund Payments RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that 76,702 flue-cured and burley tobacco growers and quota holders in North Carolina will receive more than $152 million in the final payment year from the North Carolina Phase II Trust Fund. Checks are being mailed today and Monday. Since 1999, North Carolina farmers and quota holders have received more than $837 million from the Fund. “When I negotiated the national tobacco settlement, I made certain that there would be a separate agreement that benefited our farmers,” said Easley. “For the past six years, as our economy has transitioned, the Phase II payments have provided a boost for the agriculture industry and allowed many farmers to successfully diversify their farming operations.” The payments were a part of a settlement reached by the attorneys general and governors of 14 tobacco producing states and four major tobacco manufacturers. The purpose of the Fund was to offset losses experienced by tobacco owners and quota owners as a result of reduced sales of cigarettes following the Phase I settlement. Phase II payments will end this year as a result of the tobacco buyout and end of the quota system. “Since 1999, our farmers have used Phase II money to upgrade their operations and make them more efficient,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “This money has not only helped farmers, it has also helped rural communities throughout North Carolina.” Phase II funds are administered by the N.C. Phase II Tobacco Certification Entity Inc., a private, nonprofit organization with a 14-member Board of Directors including the Governor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Attorney General, two members of the State’s congressional delegation, two members of the State legislature, six tobacco owners and quota holders and a private citizen. To receive payments from the Fund, growers and quota holders must have been certified each year by the N.C. Phase II Tobacco Certification Entity. For more information about the Fund, visit www.ncphase2.com. Agriculture is North Carolina’s top industry, contributing more than $59 billion annually to the state’s economy. Agriculture and agribusiness employs more than 18 percent of the state’s work force. ### |