Tobacco Trust Fund Grant Cycle Open To Receive Proposals Through Mar. 3

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The Tobacco Trust Fund Commission’s grant cycle is open and is now accepting grant applications through Mar. 3, 2023. Access the application, guidelines and other information about the funding opportunity by clicking here.

Federal, state and local governments can apply for grant funding, as well as economic development groups, educational institutions and nonprofits

Individuals can also apply, but the commission’s executive director, William Upchurch, Jr. said trust fund officials encourage individuals to work with a cost-share partner: NC AgVentures at N.C. State University, AgPrime at the University of Mount Olive, and WNC AgOptions at WNC Communities. Upchurch said that the Tobacco Trust Fund is open to talking with folks who have questions about the grant cycle and its cost-share partners.

The Tobacco Trust Fund grant cycle focuses on the priorities of community economic development, skill and resource development, increasing farm profitability, diversification of crops and development of natural resources. They look for projects that support the following outcomes: farmers assisted, jobs created and retained, acreage impacted, new crops planted, funding leverage and new education opportunities.

The trust fund commission was created in 2000 to assist current and former tobacco farmers, former quota holders, persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment, and tobacco product component businesses in North Carolina that have been affected by the adverse effects of the Master Settlement Agreement.

Golden LEAF Scholarship, Internship Opportunities

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-information courtesy of the Golden LEAF Foundation

The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application window is now open for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applications are available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying rural and economically distressed counties. Applications are due March 1, 2023.

The awards are valued at $14,000 ($3,500 per year for up to four years) for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive $3,500 per year for up to three years.

“The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is an important component of the Foundation’s workforce preparedness strategy,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton. “Our goal is for Golden LEAF Scholars to gain the talent, knowledge and skills necessary to help North Carolina’s rural communities thrive by returning home to live, work and raise families.”

To be eligible, students must be a graduating North Carolina high school senior or a currently enrolled North Carolina community college transfer student, enrolling full-time in the fall at a participating North Carolina public or private college or university. Recipients are selected based upon multiple factors including an intent to return to a rural North Carolina county after graduation. Applicants must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need as determined by the application process; have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5; and be a resident of a rural, economically distressed North Carolina county. Click here for the full list of eligible counties.

For more than 20 years, the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program has provided more than 6,000 scholarships to help rural students attend the state’s colleges and universities.

The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority and funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation. A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at CFNC.org. Call 1-800-700-1775 or send an email to information@ncseaa.edu, for more information.

Learn more about the scholarship at https://scholars.goldenleaf.org/.

 

Scholarship recipients may also apply for the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. The Rural Internship Initiative provides Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community. The application window closes Jan. 31.

The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay interns $15/hour for up to 400 hours of work. Internships take place over 8-10 weeks, between June and August.

Tobacco Trust Fund Grant Cycle Open Now

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The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission is accepting applications for the 2023 grant cycle. The key objectives for 2023 are supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development. Funds will be awarded in the fall of 2023 for selected innovative projects, according to Jeff Camden NCTTFC program officer.

“North Carolinians are great at innovation and creating jobs. We produce outstanding agriculture products and market them to the world. Providing funds for projects in current or former tobacco-dependent regions that enhance these efforts is our 2023 priorities,” said William H. “Bill” Teague, NCTTFC chairman. Applications will be accepted online for innovative projects within North Carolina. Selected projects should expect to start in November of 2023.

 

The NCTTFC was established in 2000 by the N.C. General Assembly to help members of the tobacco community including farmers, tobacco workers and related businesses. Its original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Funding is now appropriated to the NCTTFC which then reviews, selects and disperses the funds to grant projects.

 

Past NCTTFC projects includes fair and farmers market improvements, cost-share grant programs for farmers, commodity marketing, researching alternative crops and support of agricultural education programs.

Qualifying organizations can access the online application here: www.tobaccotrustfund.org.

For more information, contact Jeff Camden at 919.733.2160 Ext 1. The deadline to submit application is Friday March 3, 2023.

Warren County Parks and Rec. Dept. Offers Winter Art Class Jan. 21

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Join the Warren County Parks and Recreation’s “Winter Art Time” program at John Graham Gym on Saturday, Jan. 21 and take home your own artwork. This free program provides all supplies needed to paint a pre-printed winter art canvas and is a perfect activity for beginning painters and any others interested in putting paint to canvas.

The 9 a.m. class is open to adults only, but the 10:30 a.m. class is open to youth and adults.

Space is limited and registrations are being taken through Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Participants may register online at  www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation or they can stop by the parks and rec office in Warrenton between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The office is located at located at 113 Wilcox Street. Call 252.257.2272 for more information.

The parks and recreation staff welcomes volunteers for this and other programs. Please submit a volunteer application and background check online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

Warren Co. Memorial Library

Warren Library Features Green Book, Oasis Spaces Exhibit Through January

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Visitors to Warren County Memorial Library can learn more about Green Books and “oasis spaces” in an exhibit that will be open through the end of January.

“Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project, 1933-1966” is the title of the exhibit open now through Jan. 31 at the Warrenton library located at 119 S. Front St.

The exhibit is made possible through a partnership with the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission.

The exhibit reflects the commission’s research about “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” which identified business that in essence served as “oasis spaces” for African American travelers during the time of segregation. The book was both a travel guide and a tool of resistance designed to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. It listed more than 300 North Carolina restaurants, hotels, tourist homes, nightclubs and beauty salons where African Americans would be welcomed.

“We are pleased to present this exhibit for the community to explore a part of history that has been overlooked,” said Library Director Christy Bondy.

The library has several programs planned that accompany the exhibit including film screenings, and a virtual visit with the author Calvin Ramsey.

The Green Book Project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Warren County Memorial Library is located at 119 S. Front St., Warrenton, NC. For more information about the Green Book project, visit www.wcmlibrary.org.

Learn About Resources Offered By Infinite Possibilities, Inc. At Jan. 10 Info Session

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The public is invited to a community information session on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Baskerville Funeral Home chapel to learn more about resources that are available through Infinite Possibilities, Inc.

Baskerville Funeral Home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson. The hourlong information session begins at 6 p.m.

Infinite Possibilities, Inc. is a nonprofit agency that serves Vance and Warren counties in numerous ways, including providing advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Other services include a 24/7 hotline, court advocacy, community and youth education, emergency shelter placement and medical advocacy.

Infinite Possibilities has offices in Henderson and Warrenton. Call the Henderson office at 252.431.1926. The Warren County office number is 252. 257.1044.

Warren Extension Hosts Jan. 28 Equine Clinic For Coggins, Vaccines

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Warren County Extension will sponsor an equine Coggins and vaccine clinic on Saturday, Ja. 28, 2023. Horse owners can save a farm visit fee by bringing trailering their animals to the clinic, which will take place at the extension service office, 158 Rafters Lane, Warrenton between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

Dr. Oberlin McDaniel with N.C. Mobile Veterinary Service will perform Coggins tests and annual vaccinations on site.

The Coggins test is $36. Results will be available within 3-5 days via Global Vet Link.

Vaccinations available include 5-way E/W/T/R/F, rabies, West Nile. Equine microchippping will also be available.

For more information, contact NCMVS assistant Stacey Hadnott at 919.638.9820 or via email at ncmobilevetoffice@gmail.com.

Appointments are recommended, but not required for this event.

Warren County’s CERT Class Set For Jan. 28-29

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The Warren County Community Emergency Response Team will have a class to prepare individuals to help during emergencies, natural disasters and other events.

The class will be held Jan. 28 and 29. There is no charge to take the class, which will take place at the Warren County Emergency Services Headquarters, 890 US Hwy 158 Bypass in Warrenton.

CERT members receive training in the following areas to help them care for themselves, their families, and their communities: disaster planning, damage assessment, emergency operations center assistance, team organization, disaster psychology, and disaster simulation.

Volunteers in the CERT program learn how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters that may affect their community. The program provides a consistent approach to disaster preparedness training and organization that first responders can rely on during a disaster.

Individuals 18 years and older who live in Warren County may become a certified CERT member by meeting and maintaining the following requirements:

  • Obtain FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS) online training certificates after completing the 21-hour CERT training series;
  • Take the American Heart Association’s CPR class;
  • Volunteer for at least 16 hours a year in emergency management, training, outreach and community involvement programs;
  • Must be of good moral character and adhere to the Warren County Emergency management beliefs and ethics; and
  • Submit a signed Code of Conduct form.

The classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Class size is limited and the deadline to apply is Jan. 23, 2023. Students must complete all 20 hours of the course to receive a certification of completion. Contact Chris Tucker or Lewis Mustian to learn more. Tucker can be reached at

252.257.1191 or by email at  christucker@warrencountync.gov; Mustian’s phone number is 804.512.3045 and email is lmustian@verizon.net.

 

IRS Reminder: Dec. 31 Deadline For Certain Taxpayers Who Deferred In 2020

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If you’re an employer or self-employed and you chose to defer paying part of your 2020 Social Security tax liability, you have until the end of the month to make your second annual installment of the deferred amount, the Internal Revenue Service reminds.

As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could choose to put off paying the employer’s share of their Social Security tax liability, which is 6.2 percent of wages. Self-employed individuals also could choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. Generally, half of that deferral was due on Dec. 31, 2021. The other half is due on Dec. 31, 2022.

Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if they did not receive a notice.

Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), Direct Pay, by debit card, credit card or digital wallet, or with a check or money order. No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.

Employers and individuals can make the deferral payments through enrollment in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, a free service available from the Treasury Department. On the Tax Type Selection screen, choose Deferred Social Security Tax and then change the date to the applicable tax period (the calendar quarter in 2020 for which tax was deferred). Visit EFTPS.gov, or call 800-555-4477 or 800-733-4829 for details.

Alternatively, self-employed individual taxpayers can choose Direct Pay to pay directly from a checking or savings account. This service is available free only on IRS.gov/payments/direct-pay. Select the “Balance Due” reason for payment and apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Direct Pay is not available to pay employment taxes.

If paying with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet, select “installment agreement.” Apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Note that the IRS does not charge a fee for this service, but the authorized third-party payment processors do. Visit IRS.gov/Payments for details.

Make any check or money order payable to United States Treasury, not IRS. For more information on where to mail payments see Instructions for Form 941.

Warren County Selected for Golden LEAF Program

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Warren County has been selected to participate in a Golden LEAF program that helps communities  identify potential sites for industrial development.

It was the only community selected during this cycle of SITE Program Identification, according to information from the office of Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.

“I am appreciative that Golden LEAF has recognized the potential and value that we see here in Warren County,” Jones said in a press statement.

“Our inclusion in this program will provide us with yet another tool that will help Warren County strategically prepare for the kind of growth and development that is appropriate for Warren County.”

The SITE Program offers a three-phase approach to help communities identify potential sites for economic development, provide funding to complete due diligence on publicly controlled sites, and provide funding to extend public utilities to publicly controlled sites or to conduct clearing and rough grading of publicly owned sites.

“Participation in the SITE Program – Identification phase will allow us to further understand where we should be targeting our work and investments for marketable and attractive sites for the type of growth we aim to see,” said Charla Duncan, Warren County’s community & economic development director.

“As we look to prioritize infrastructure expansion, pursue development agreements with landowners, and support landowners in marketing their land,” continued Duncan, “we need a better understanding of competitive sites and where to strategically invest our resources.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation was established in 1999 to administer a portion of the tobacco settlement agreement monies back into North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed communities. Its mission is to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural, tobacco-dependent, and economically distressed communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation and stewardship.

To learn more about Golden LEAF, visit  www.goldenleaf.org.