The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission recently awarded a $500,000 grant to Jackson County to fund the Pavilion portion of the Jackson County Fairgrounds project currently under construction in Whittier.
Kevin King, County Manager, Jackson County, said in the grant proposal, “Jackson County will develop 28 acres of land in the heart of the county’s agricultural community to serve as a support hub for farmers—including former tobacco farmers who transitioned to other crops—by providing the infrastructure and resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape. A 48,000-square-foot open-air Pavilion accommodating vehicle entry and livestock presentation will be constructed and adjoined to a closed site with parking.”
The partnership between the county and the commission will pay dividends for years to come.
“By supporting the fairgrounds project, we’re helping Jackson County build the kind of infrastructure that fuels long-term economic growth,” said Bill Teague, Chairman of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. “The pavilion will provide space for livestock shows, festivals, and agribusiness activities—driving tourism, supporting farm families for years to come.”
The grant will go a long way in supporting “Jackson County Project RISE” and the agricultural and farming community right here in Western North Carolina and will be built adjacent a 24,000 square-foot enclosed arena named the Charles R. Elders Event Center after the late county commissioner who served three terms and passed away earlier this year.
“Having this large-capacity pavilion will serve a multitude of purposes to benefit Jackson County and visitors to our area,” said Tiffany Henry, Director, Jackson County Economic Development. “The facility will be readily accessible to the public with plenty of parking and will be used for fairs, livestock events, 4-H programs, Future Farmers of America students, county fairs and concerts, truck shows, and other community programs. We are really excited about the opportunities this will provide for businesses, residents, visitors and the economic impact it will bring with the local and tourism attraction.”
Henry also lauded the partnerships in the development of this project, including the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and the Appalachian Regional Commission to extend water infrastructure to the new facility, which will also be a benefit for water resources to the surrounding residents.
The construction project of the fairground facility is in the Whittier area at 271 Clearwood Drive near Thomas Valley Road off of Highway 74 along the Tuckasegee River. You can find out more about this project and other county information at https://www.jacksonnc.org/, then click on the Jackson County Project Dashboard.
The public can also hear updates from County Manager King and Jackson County Commissioners about this construction and reports on other building projects during the Jackson County Board of Commissioners regular meetings held on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend these meetings held in the Commissioners Board Room, located on the second floor of the Jackson County Justice Center, at 401 Grindstaff Cove Road in Sylva. You can also view current and past commissioner meetings at https://www.youtube.com/@jacksoncountynorthcarolina7897.
More on the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
The NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission was created in 2000 by the North Carolina General Assembly to lessen the financial impact on farmers and tobacco-related businesses caused by the sharp decline of tobacco in the agricultural economy. Originally funded through the Master Settlement Agreement between the state and tobacco manufacturers, it now receives funding through state appropriations.
The Commission awards grants to public and nonprofit organizations aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural economy and supporting rural communities. Recent grants have supported agricultural education at schools and universities, infrastructure improvements at farmers markets, equipment upgrades for extension offices, farmer training programs, and cost-share grants to help farmers improve farm viability and profitability. Since 2002, they have awarded more than 450 grants totaling millions of dollars to meet the goals of strengthening rural and tobacco-dependent economies in North Carolina. To see current and former year’s grants by the NC Tobacco Fund Commission, go to https://tobaccotrustfund.org/grants/.
