Press release

From WNC Communities

WNC Communities announced today that the TVA Ag & Forestry Fund is now accepting letters of intent until January 14, 2013. Funds have been made available by Commissioner Steve Troxler of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to WNC Communities to create and implement this competitive grant program focusing on projects in the agriculture and forestry sectors.

The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated a portion of the State’s Tennessee Valley Authority Settlement Fund to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to support this grant program and Legislators restricted use of the money to 17 western counties. North Carolina-based non-profits and government and public agencies are eligible to submit a letter of intent for agriculture and forestry projects benefitting one or more of the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.

The TVA Ag & Forestry Fund will focus on innovative agriculture and forestry projects that strengthen the agriculture and forestry industries by addressing energy needs, sustainability, education/training, public outreach, economic development, infrastructure enhancement, or other projects that meet environmental improvement standards.

For more information on how to submit a letter of intent, visit http://www.wnccommunities.org.